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Track Listings
| 1. The End |
| 2. Radioactive |
| 3. Pyro |
| 4. Mary |
| 5. The Face |
| 6. The immortals |
| 7. Back Down South |
| 8. Beach Side |
| 9. No Money |
| 10. Pony Up |
| 11. Birthday |
| 12. Mi Amigo |
| 13. Pickup Truck |
Product Description
Review
Come Around Sundown, however, is where "aw shucks" becomes Picks-N-Sticks. While 2008’s Only by the Night was a tentative grasp for arena atmospheres on record, here they settle into their new, plush, A-list comfort zone. Inevitably this means a loss of edge – there are cod-soul bass interludes on Birthday that could be being played by Sting, and the shadow of the Eagles hangs heavier than ever over Mi Amigo. But anyone expecting These New Puritans levels of experimentation are barking up the wrong throne here. The days when they’d scare/thrill their listeners by lobbing in an unexpected Charmer seem distant indeed; this is the Kings graciously accepting their ceremonial mainstream robes.
They’re polite, considerate boys mind, and hence there’s a weight of responsibility being carried through Come Around Sundown. The homecoming themes of first single Radioactive and the wonderful bluegrass-tinged Back Down South smack of paying respect to their roots. Elsewhere, Caleb sings of failing to live up to expectations, be it romantically (The End, Pickup Truck), financially (No Money) or legally (the kerosene-crazed Pyro), giving the album an undercurrent of desperation, inadequacy, a lack of control. Beneath the confident sonic veneer, Come Around Sundown is tearing at its new designer shirts.
But their greatest responsibility is to The Masses, and our reward is to feel the quality. There’s none of the filler that dotted Only by the Night here: from the Police-ish punk-funk of The Immortals to the limbo Weddoes of Pony Up and the brash Spector brilliance of Mary, melodies sparkle like diamonds scattered in a cornfield. True, they too often fall back on their Use Somebody default setting, but even then they’re never less than affecting and rarely short of heartbreak.
With the bare minimum of innovation on show and nothing approaching the pure pop elation of Sex on Fire, Come Around Sundown will go down as KoL’s classic consolidation album. Fingers crossed that from here they can achieve another stylistic leap a la 2007’s Because of the Times, rather than getting too cosy in the executive dressing rooms, designing 60ft palm tree stage sets and bewailing the curtained-off upper tiers.
--Mark BeaumontFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
CD Description
Includes a CD with 3 bonus tracks
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Customer Reviews
Some reviewers have called the album bland and accused it of having many tracks sounding the same, I couldn't disagree more. There are many influences that ring through on this album, from the 50's diner sound of 'Mary', to the heavy country sound of the excellent 'back down south'. 'Beach side' has a surf music feel to it and 'Mi amigo' has a reggae type of guitar throughout. No matter which song is on, the sound will be what the KOL have consistently delivered; heavy bass-lines, infectious guitar, quality drumming and raw, honest lyrics, but as with all the KOL releases, the package is greater than the sum of its parts.
As one reviewer has already stated, the 'sex on fire', 'notion', 'fans' and 'four kicks' anthem style tracks are not here with the exception of 'radioactive'. But, the songwriting on here is of a really high standard and reminds me more of 'because of the times'(my personal favorite) rather than 'only by the night', and in my opinion this album is much better than the last.
I love the album. I've had it for almost a week and its been played every day and it is quality from start to finish. Play any song and you'll know you are listening to the Kings of Leon, immediately. Even with all the influences on the album, every track is stamped with the distinct KOL sound; their essence is in every song. Listen to the album; I'm sure you'll buy it after you have.
Cons: very middle of the road
The best part of Come Around Somedown is the lack of radio friendly songs to the degree of the previous album. Whilst all tracks featured would be quite fine for airplay, they don't suffer from over exposure and thus become irritating after five minutes. There are some perfectly good tracks on this album, but all in all it feels like a weak version of Because of the times, lacking the atmosphere that made it such a stellar album and the rawness that possessed the first two LP's. Their are flashes of brilliance on this effort but it still sits too closely to the last album to be totally enjoyable. Definitely a grower!
The rest of the album is good but perhaps not up to the standard of the last album.
More bass and raunchy lyrics, please!
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