Album Review: Kings Of Leon - Come Around Sundown

‘Fans’ of earlier Kings Of Leon material, those who believed the band went commercial with their fourth album, Only By The Night, look away now. Come Around Sundown sold 183,000 copies in its first week, including 49,000 downloads - an all-time record for digital sales in any album's opening week. So, with figures like that, I think it’s safe to say that the four boys from Tennessee are well and truly mainstream.

Yet, too much emphasis has been placed on the ‘commercial’ sound of Only By The Night. Music should not be judged on how many people like it. It should be judged on whether it’s any good. Even the band has reacted negatively towards the otherwise hugely successful fourth album, suggesting weren’t ready for the attention it garnered. Further comments from the band implying that they had let the success get to them only served to exasperate the problem.

Kanye West - Runaway (Full-length Film)

Kanye West's film about his relationship with a Phoenix girl who has fallen from the sky is certainly different, shall we say. Personally, I love it. But whilst some of the visuals are undoubtedly incredible, I believe the real masterpiece of this film is the music. The songs should all be set to appear on his new album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. From the snippets of the songs that are played over the film, I reckon this album will be huge.

Radiohead's Kid A - 10 Years On

Radiohead’s fourth album, Kid A, was released 10 years ago to a chorus of unsettled critics. After making their major breakthrough with The Bends and their hugely successful third album, Ok Computer, the Oxford five-piece decided to completely change direction. The result of this was yet more success – Kid A went platinum in its first week – but it also alienated many of the fans gained by Ok Computer.

Initially, Kid A sounded like it was produced by an over-excited computer nerd. However, whilst it was difficult to adjust to Radiohead’s new sound at first, eventually Thom Yorke and Co’s new effort weaved its way into ‘classic’ status. The initial bars of ‘Everything In Its Right Place’ proved disconcerting to many, a complete departure from anything that went before.