There’s no doubt about it, Kings of Leon’s new amorous download single: “Sex on Fire” is the hottest thing to hit the musical airwaves of late. The band are huge in themselves, coming a long way since their major breakthrough in 2003, they’re now one of the biggest headliners you could wish to have on any festival line-up, and there’s no stopping them. Continuously touring and finding time to produce their fabulous fourth album: “Only by the Night” later this month, the world is definitely their oyster.
This super, sexy single is more than just about lust. It’s about more than sex; it’s actually about love as you will completely fall for this hit. In all honesty, according to last.fm, I’ve listened to :Sex on Fire” more than 60 times in one week, more or less looped and I’m still lusting to hear it again, more so than the first time. So it’s tried and tested than you can’t tire of it. From the screaming vocals of Caleb to the rhythmic heartbeat of the drums, and to the yearning guitars, it certainly gets right into your system. It is stylish, it is sexy and puts you in the mood for some serious flirting (if not just with the music), reminding you of the typical scenario of boy-meets-girl at a gig, with this little stunner playing in the background of course. This song makes you want to go out there and find this feeling; astonishing.
“Sex on Fire” is already highly popular, frequently appearing on MTV, Kerrang, and is a regular on Zane Lowe’s Radio One Show backed by his own rave reviews, and you just know it’s going to be played across all the major venues and clubs, and as for being played live, it’ll be HUGE what with those riffs! We really ought to take the time out to applaud KOL’s captivating genius on this one. It’s commanding, entrancing and beautiful and all of the elements and structure of the song are synched superbly, from “All the commotion” down to the simple, yet impressionistic “Your sex is on fire!” you can’t help but repeatedly listen to this 3.23 minutes of pure sex. The song is also reminiscent from the sexual undertones of the bass to the lyrics, of Joy Division’s “Transmission”: “make love to the beat of the song” which you envisage as you dance away. The lyrics are as passionate as the music, from the blunt, bold statement of the chorus to the alluring and tuneful “Yoooooooooouuuuuu!” belted from Followill, communicating directly with the listener and gaining their full attention.
The Followill clan have created yet another wonderful array of music and meaning to add to the collection of theirs, ready to leaving you craving more…music that is, not sex!
Sunday 14 September 2008
Friday 5 September 2008
Set for HOLLYWOOD Stardom
So, I was lent this 4-track demo CD of a local band called “Hollywood Tease” who I’d already heard of, but was slightly worried at the prospect of them being just another whiney Stoke band. But, taking it in good faith, I gave ‘em a whirl and was genuinely and pleasantly surprised.
Over the past two years, all of a sudden came this whole new cultural way of life, by means of “Emo”, which has certainly affected and somewhat tainted and tarnished the music industry, seeing everyone cashing in on it (Lord knows why), but luckily, “Hollywood Tease” aren’t following the herd. Our faith can be restored at last! This is a band with local talent giving us local hope.
The CD cover to their mini-EP resembles QOTSA’s “Songs for the Deaf” album artwork but this is no insight into the music, compared to Queens, they’re more clean and polished, but this is no bad thing. HT are quite glam rock; definitely in terms of their get-up, I think I’d go as far to say they’re our very own (Potteries) Darkness. The band very much adopts the good old rock way of life; believing in the sanctity of sex; drugs and rock ‘n’roll (of course!). Their ethos highlights possible inspirations such as KISS and G ‘n’R, also coming across in their music. It’s imperative nowadays for every band to have a MySpace site to establish themselves, and even their profile states that they’re all for: “SOCO, JD, glam metal, sex, porn, sleeping all day and partying all night”. Another great thing about this band is that they’re neither overly arrogant nor ambitious, they have just the right balance and are truly dedicated to their Stoke fan base, playing frequently in the area and have already repeatedly headlined at The Sugarmill. Hot stuff.
Their self-titled demo really is produced to the highest of standards and beyond, for the expectations of a local act. But that’s part of the shine to this five-some; they’re actually professional, aspiring to be bigger things; middle finger to the world of rock. They take it seriously, and it shows in the finished article.
From the first thirty seconds of “Sweet Dreams”, I was reminded of the band “Hundred Reasons” due to the well orchestrated guitar riffs, to the pronounced and powerful vocals. Then, you get this grittier, yet also melodic guitar playing to match the strength of singer Ashe, and thank God they’re not emo screamers for a change sounding like feedback. They’re refreshing and spunky.
Another wonderful thing about this 4 song sampler is that it has the head-nodding, feet tapping factor to it, which is only to be amplified when performing live shows. What with its raunchy bass, guitar clenching sounds and reeling drum pounds, and not forgetting the lyrics, they can’t help but be catchy whilst still having those balls of rock! However, the third track, “Dirty Days” featuring a similar intro to the classic “Wanted Dead or Alive” by Bon Jovi, is more of a rock ballad which is backed up by some well composed solos to help you envisage these guys up on the big stadiums of rock, with cannons, fireworks and the most almighty of light displays.
Any of these handful of songs would be fitting for a soundtrack such as Terminator 2, sitting next to “You Could be Mine” by Guns ‘n’ Roses, or as background music in some American biker bar, just to reinforce their edge. Screaming “I’ve got a trick up my sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeve!” is to be believed. They sure have whatever that trick is, and it continues to set them apart from any regular Joe/ run-of-the-mill local band.
These fella’s are superb. Fact. They demand publicity and BIG stages, they’d fit the bill at Download perfectly. I have no doubt that these guys could go on to make some serious dollars, with some more big gigs and a lucky break here and there, they could land themselves a great record deal, seeing them “teasing” us to shows from the major cities all the way to the US and back.
Over the past two years, all of a sudden came this whole new cultural way of life, by means of “Emo”, which has certainly affected and somewhat tainted and tarnished the music industry, seeing everyone cashing in on it (Lord knows why), but luckily, “Hollywood Tease” aren’t following the herd. Our faith can be restored at last! This is a band with local talent giving us local hope.
The CD cover to their mini-EP resembles QOTSA’s “Songs for the Deaf” album artwork but this is no insight into the music, compared to Queens, they’re more clean and polished, but this is no bad thing. HT are quite glam rock; definitely in terms of their get-up, I think I’d go as far to say they’re our very own (Potteries) Darkness. The band very much adopts the good old rock way of life; believing in the sanctity of sex; drugs and rock ‘n’roll (of course!). Their ethos highlights possible inspirations such as KISS and G ‘n’R, also coming across in their music. It’s imperative nowadays for every band to have a MySpace site to establish themselves, and even their profile states that they’re all for: “SOCO, JD, glam metal, sex, porn, sleeping all day and partying all night”. Another great thing about this band is that they’re neither overly arrogant nor ambitious, they have just the right balance and are truly dedicated to their Stoke fan base, playing frequently in the area and have already repeatedly headlined at The Sugarmill. Hot stuff.
Their self-titled demo really is produced to the highest of standards and beyond, for the expectations of a local act. But that’s part of the shine to this five-some; they’re actually professional, aspiring to be bigger things; middle finger to the world of rock. They take it seriously, and it shows in the finished article.
From the first thirty seconds of “Sweet Dreams”, I was reminded of the band “Hundred Reasons” due to the well orchestrated guitar riffs, to the pronounced and powerful vocals. Then, you get this grittier, yet also melodic guitar playing to match the strength of singer Ashe, and thank God they’re not emo screamers for a change sounding like feedback. They’re refreshing and spunky.
Another wonderful thing about this 4 song sampler is that it has the head-nodding, feet tapping factor to it, which is only to be amplified when performing live shows. What with its raunchy bass, guitar clenching sounds and reeling drum pounds, and not forgetting the lyrics, they can’t help but be catchy whilst still having those balls of rock! However, the third track, “Dirty Days” featuring a similar intro to the classic “Wanted Dead or Alive” by Bon Jovi, is more of a rock ballad which is backed up by some well composed solos to help you envisage these guys up on the big stadiums of rock, with cannons, fireworks and the most almighty of light displays.
Any of these handful of songs would be fitting for a soundtrack such as Terminator 2, sitting next to “You Could be Mine” by Guns ‘n’ Roses, or as background music in some American biker bar, just to reinforce their edge. Screaming “I’ve got a trick up my sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeve!” is to be believed. They sure have whatever that trick is, and it continues to set them apart from any regular Joe/ run-of-the-mill local band.
These fella’s are superb. Fact. They demand publicity and BIG stages, they’d fit the bill at Download perfectly. I have no doubt that these guys could go on to make some serious dollars, with some more big gigs and a lucky break here and there, they could land themselves a great record deal, seeing them “teasing” us to shows from the major cities all the way to the US and back.
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