Text Box: Text Box: Text Box: Text Box: Monday 22nd September 2008 The albums keep coming thick and fast I’m afraid. Another week of new ones and this time it’s Nicole Scherzinger’s mannequins– the Pussycat Dolls and the hugely popular Kings of Leon. I think I know where this is going... Text Box: Links and affiliates Contact Me Text Box: Archive Text Box: “Fit for a King.” One of rock’s only family bands and general Indie music icons, the often shaggily-attired Kings of Leon return with their third album in just five short years– but why all the fuss? The KOL boys have often enjoyed superstar status in the UK– headlining summer festivals and generally selling out wherever they play, but whilst it’s obvious they can occasionally write a good tune– do they deserve such idolism. ’Only by the Night’ is what frontman Caleb describes as being “proud track-by-track” of and it’s easy to see why. Opening track ’Closer’ is what atmospheric rock music needs to sound like. A stunning, discreet yet overpowering beat dictates the pace of the song wonderfully. Caleb’s raw and distinctive vocals gradually fade in and out of the track. The musical composition on this track demands classic status and this is just a number of standout efforts. First single and recent UK chart-topper ’Sex on Fire’ brings out the jazz and soul. If this is what “going back to your Southern roots” sounds like then sign me up. It features a similar subtlety about the song as the aforementioned ’Closer’ instead Caleb’s ranged voice comes in with an upbeat guitar riff to create the sort of number that you can imagine will be dominating indie discos for years to come. It’s a welcome direction from the KOL as much of their earlier definitive work on ’Youth & Young Manhood’ had relied on a gruffer, downbeat vibe. ’Use Somebody’ is another progressive hit. Clear and crisp, thoughtful lyrics, complimented by the impressive guitar work from Matthew and Jared– if ever a band was maturing through your speakers this is it. It just can’t be underestimated how accomplished the band sound on this record with themes seemingly inspired from real-life relationships rather than what sells units. ’Manhatten’ follows in the mould of ’Sex on Fire’ with a really catchy almost old-school funky beat, accompanied by heavenly guitar riffs. A special mention goes to ‘Be Somebody’ which along with ‘Closer’ has an anthem-feel to it with a almost tribal rhythm engineered with effective bass lines and drum beat before it suddenly changes from this very dark feel to a hopeful sound- “Give it a chance/I’m gonna be somebody/Open the door/It’s gonna make you love me.” It’s just a very special song– jumping from one part to another effortlessly. The KOL have come home with something quite special and the customized cover for the UK audience shows how highly they regard the appreciative audience. As an album goes, it’s simply brilliant and they may never top it. The Kings will be here to rule their roost for a good while yet. 9.5/10 CM Text Box: “Amusing PCD Pun Here” “A band– not a brand”, “Destined for the bargain bins.” It seems that there’s just not much love out there for the PCD, but is it justified? Now you know me– they call me the Robin Hood of misunderstood pop, so it’s only fair that we give the girls a chance– sorry THE girl. It really is quite overwhelming that there’s five PCD yet the only one who seems to be singing lead is Lewis Hamilton’s squeeze. Now we know that this isn’t a new concept– the only way Simon Fuller would have sold Spice records was by gagging Posh and Ginger and Girls Aloud have more than a twang of Nadine about them... But every song? Opening number, ’When I Grow Up’ is actually not bad indeed, like the Dark Side of Fame but without Piers Morgan (imagine that?), some might say slightly autobiographical from Scherzinger: “When I grow up/I wanna be famous/I wanna be a star/Wanna drive nice cars/Wanna have boobies.” Check-ish, che..hmmm, cha-ching, check! It’s a good pop song with that fashionable dirty vibe. However the honeymoon period is soon over. I know we all rolled our eyes when “Big Snoop Dogg” came out with ’Sensual Seduction’, but there’s no need for ‘Bottle Pop’- ‘Buttons’, Snoop was a one-off. The cameos get even worse- “Your dude ain’t acting right (he got to go)/If he want you to stay in the house all day (he got to go)” Missy Elliott of all people with the guest appearance on ‘What’cha Think About That’, it’s just like going back in time– that overused, tired PCD formula of ‘sexual liberation’ mixed with mid-90s “You go, girl!” Not good. Then we come to Recycle Gate. In my aforementioned role as Robin Hood of Pop (and to be honest I was half expecting this), I came across the seriously misunderstood comebackers, New Kids on the Block whose producer, Polow da Don has produced track 5, ‘Out of This Club’. Featuring the honourable R. Kelly it’s a song of how these starcrossed lovers met across a dancefloor. Not dissimilar to the likes of ‘Single’ by NKOTB (produced by Polow) and maybe influenced by Usher’s ‘Love in this Club’- the difference being they got their albums out first. It’s shameless recycling and just as cheesy. All pop fans are like goldfish you see. For PCD fans and pop-addicts alike there is plenty of baloney to get through the dark days. It isn’t completely fair to say that Nicole does all the singing but it’s just the majority of songs are constructed with a poignant lead role, which invariably she gets. The other Dolls do get a look in on songs like ‘Halo’ and ‘Elevator’. Sadly most of the songs go down either the processed, slow love song route or a processed funk route. There just isn’t an awful lot of Doll input and therefore they will always attract critics and cynics alike for their roles as puppets singing generic pop songs. Sixteen tracks and it’s hard to find a better one than ‘When I Grow Up’. The Pussycat Dolls are about as personal as the condom I’m afraid. Even the likes of Timbaland on ‘Whatchamacallit’ and ‘Magic’ doesn’t really make a great deal of difference to the fortunes of this record. Most of the tracks are hard to differentiate and as for memorability– forget it. 4/10 CM Kings of Leon- 'Only by the Night'Pussycat Dolls- 'Doll Domination'