k-os, Kanada’s Kanye

If I were to judge a book by its cover or, in this case, a CD by its jacket, I’d say that singer/rapper/producer k-os is trying to make a statement. What that statement particularly is, I don’t know. Aesthetically, the case is an obvious throwback to his debut (and to many, best) album, Exit. k-os’ fourth album, Yes!, remembers Exit’s gradient greens on both the CD jacket and disc, but sports the contradicting colour red, and replacing the green, lit EXIT sign, is a playful red YES! sign in its stead. What this infers to me is that k-os is trying to remind us of his roots. But there’s something different here. k-os is no longer k-os.

Instead, he has become the bionic man. Deviating far from his originally organic and almost militia-quality style, Yes! seems to have quite the opposite effect, employing an American Army of digitizers and synthesizers. Song titles and subject matter are general k-os fair, from love to pacifism to music to well, “being different.” However, the message is muddled through try-hard rhymes and experimental rhythms and flows. Where Exit’s lyrics are an obvious fine wine, embodying nearly 30 years of growing, learning, and struggling, Yes! is like the quickly generated soda pop for those of the masses who enjoy proclaiming their disgust with mainstream media.

Don’t get me wrong, amidst my obvious criticisms, the album still has its ups. Songs like Burning Bridges, I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman, 4,3,2,1, and Eye Know Something are all catchy-chorus, single-material. But even the entire album does not hold a candle to any lone track on Exit.

Kings of Leon: Only by the Night

Picked up this album the other day and started listening to it while I was writing the Left 4 Dead Guide that you should see on the site in a couple days and thought I should say something about how great it is.

I only like to talk about how good an album is if the better majority of the songs are single worthy or are catchy to some degree or if the music has something imperceptible that brings you back to it and Only by the Night is one of those albums.

The singer Caleb Followill has a really interesting voice that sounds like it should be coming out of speakers on a big open air concert from the 60’s. While I don’t agree with their choices in hairstyles, their sound is like a southern folk band mixed with something that sounds good. Cut me some slack ok? I’m not a big music reviewer but what I think you should do is check out some of the tracks on the album and see if they float your boat.

Basically if you like a sound that is upbeat, somewhat bittersweet but not about longing or cutting yourself and that you can either rock out to or lay back and chill with, check out Kings of Leon, Only by the Night. You won’t be disappointed.

Check out their website

Tracks of note:

1. Sex on Fire
2. Closer
3. Crawl
4. Use Somebody
5. Notion
6. Manhattan