More music reviews from my Metromix pile went live this week. Kings of Leon is a Southern rock hybrid whose ambition might surpass its skills, but that is for you to decide. Meanwhile, High Places has lots of ambition, but its junkyard sonics made from home appliances and conventional instruments can be an acquired taste.
High Places, High Places
Pearson and Barber’s full-length debut is a rewarding listen, but an acquired taste. “Namer” is a synthetic tropical stomp that sounds like it leapt fully formed out of a grad-school thesis. But like most of “High Places,” it’s nearly danceable. Album opener “The Storm” is an jerky yet ethereal trip, anchored on Pearson’s angelic vocals, while “Vision’s the First” is a kinetic kitchen jam. From the stuttered glitch of “From Stardust to Sentience” and down to the Ligeti ambience of “Papaya Year,” “High Places” is an ambitious coming-out party. MORE @ METROMIX
Kings of Leon, Only By the Night
t: Bring the noise. Kings of Leon’s fourth full-length is heavier and rougher than the quartet’s previous work, which is a good thing. “Crawl” laments “a crucified U.S.A.” with the help of anthemic riffage and smoking guitar solos, while the opener “Closer” boasts throbbing atmospherics that will have you clenching your fists. The single “Sex on Fire” is a step backward of sorts, a U2-Springsteen assault aimed right at rock radio. But by the time the balladry of the bleeding-heart finale “Cold Desert” hits, you’ll be reaching for your lighter, or cell phone, or whatever the kids are holding aloft at concerts these days. MORE @ METROMIX