It should come as no surprise to anyone who knows where I spent my undergrad years (Lubbock) that, when a compilation celebrating the late great Buddy Holly came around, I would be all over it. Â Especially if that collection of tunes were by modern indie greats like She & Him, the Black Keys, My Morning Jacket, and Modest Mouse. Â There was much ado leading up to this album, and now that it’s out, the results, while sometimes not as interesting, are wholehearted and endearing.
As with most compilations, the listener is encouraged not to take the album in as a whole, but rather pick and choose from their favorites, as there is a lot of diverse talent here (with the exception of Kid Rock.) Â Julian Casablancas does a slacker take on “Rave On,” while Karen Elson’s “Crying, Waiting, Hoping” is a stripped-down, beautiful affair true to the original. Â Paul McCartney throws a curveball with the dirty-sounding “It’s So Easy,” and Patti Smith will turn heads with her ambitious cover of “Words of Love.” Â Legends of many genres sing alongside current hit-makers for an impressive tribute to a talent lost too soon.
Today I continue a series of posts dedicated to the best albums of the last decade, posting analysis of one album at a time.
38. Kings of Leon – Because of the Times
Nobody likes Kings of Leon anymore, and there’s a reason for that – Only By the Night, their breakthrough album, was disappointing as a whole, and Come Around Sundown was almost complete garbage. The group has all but reinvented themselves as a schlock, stadium-filling, Southern rock answer to U2. I suppose you could blame Because of the Times for all of that – they never really looked back after melodramatic, grandiose productions like “Knocked Up” and “On Call.” But the group’s third album, an obvious musical departure from the rowdy Youth and Young Manhood and the incredible Aha Shake Heartbreak, for temporarily better (and ultimately worse) showed a band growing into strong songwriters.
The refried Southern tinge is still present, though more subdued; this is a band undergoing a sharp transformation. Â The aforementioned “Knocked Up,” arguably the album’s most memorable tune, is a 7-minute tale of the aftermath of an accidental pregnancy. Â We still get the “Strokes in overalls” vibe, yes, but the melodies have shifted from dirgy rock pieces to more pop-influenced movements, reminiscent of some of the bands Kings opened for while writing this album – bands like Pearl Jam and, yes, U2. Â There is more melodic romanticism – the captivating “True Love Way” and the simply sweet “Ragoo.” Â And yet, the dirty rock is still here, just before it all but disappeared, and it is stronger than ever. Â The screech of “Charmer” alongside rockers like “McFearless” and “Black Thumbnail” do not disappoint.
Many mark this album as the beginning of the end for Kings of Leon as a relevant band, and I am not one to argue. Â But even if their output from here on out was less than satisfactory, to downright Weezer-esque atrocious, this was one hell of a last hurrah.
Every Saturday, I post a 15-20 minute podcast featuring some tracks I’ve been jamming the previous week, as well as some commentary and random musings from yours truly. Enjoy!
Tracklist:
Jai Paul – BTSTU (Edit)
Araabmuzik – Streetz Tonight
Just a Number 05272011 – Business
Delorean – Grow (Taragana Pyjarama Remix)
Once every three months I list the best of what I heard in albums/songs/remixes for the quarter. I do this to personally keep up with all the awesome music I hear, as it ultimately helps me at the end of the year when I do my overall listing for the previous twelve months. I also do it to introduce you cool cats to tunes you may have missed independently.
Turntable.FM has only been around for a few months, but it’s already taking the Internet (or at least the music-loving wing) by storm.  The concept itself is so simple and fun I wish I would’ve thought of it myself. Users, or DJs, spin tunes in a chat-room setting – up to five DJs can take turns playing songs in one room.  Listeners rate the song choices as “awesome” or “lame,” and DJs can earn points, so it essentially can become a competition.  There is also a chatting function for each room, and the music selection is diverse and vast.  It’s a great way to discover new music, chat music with friends and acquaintances, and share your favorite tunes with like-minded people.  Needless to say, I’m intrigued and addicted by it.
The site is in beta testing and currently invite-only, and there are some bugs and glitches being worked out, but I look forward to seeing this thing when its completed and ready for the masses. Â Visit it today and try it out for yourself – I got an immediate invite when I signed into Facebook, apparently if you have a friend already on (if you’re friends with me, you do), you’re good to go, so give it a shot.
Though not necessarily a fan, I’ve long been a supporter of Weird Al Yankovic, the household name amongst satirical and parodic songwriting. Â The dude’s been cranking out funny hits since the early ’80’s, and, being a longtime lover of Dr. Demento, I’ve adored and admired Al from afar for most of my life. Â The man puts on an unsurprisingly entertaining live show, as well as some pretty decent original material alongside his trademark parodies of hit songs. Â It’s safe to say Yankovic has transformed from quirky pop culture footnote to a comedic legend over time – now, like being poked fun at by South Park and SNL, it’s considered an honor to be lampooned by Weird Al. Â That means you’ve made it to the top!
This week, Al sat down with AV Club and went through an array of new and old material in celebration and promotion of his latest creation, Alpocalypse. Â He talks about some of the well-known classics, some forgotten gems, and even some astonishingly catchy original songs. Read it here.
