Masters at their game

When new CDs from the hottest bands in their genres are released, a lot of expectation is generated. The Black Eyed Peas and the Kings of Leon need no introduction to anyone following the current music scene, and while the two CDs are zooming up the charts, there are questions raised about whether the new music is too safe or predictable. And then again, maybe that’s exactly what make these CDs such hits. 

The Black Eyed Peas — The Beginning (MCA Music, Inc.). Cuteness knows no End (Yes, pun on previous CD’s title) as The Beginning hits the record stores! With The Time (Dirty Bit) sampling the classic Time of Our Lives song from Dirty Dancing, to the tracks that sound suspiciously like they may have been looped from the humongously successful End CD, to tracks like Fashion Beats where Fergie does her best Debbie Harry/Blondie imitation, there’s nothing wrong at all with the CD that looks like it will spawn a whole bunch of hits and club faves. Love You Long Time and Whenever are my personal favorites, and I just want to ask what happened to the Where Is the Love Peas I used to love, when the music was fun and the lyrics actually meant something. Now, it’s just party-time. 

Kings of Leon — Come Around Sundown (RCA). The CD is the new studio album from the current heroes of alternative rock, and while it’s their fifth, it’s their previous CD, Only By the Night, that catapulted them into the rock firmament. Ambitious and broad in scope, KOLís take on post punk, country and gospel as influences on the various tracks. While Beach Side is the one I’ll tag absolute winner, I know my boys love Radioactive and Pyro. The Immortals and Mi Amigo are the other two tracks getting a lot of attention and the Deluxe version of the CD, has three additional tracks, including a Radioactive that’s recorded with a full choir. Detractors have called the album a tad safe with the tracks sounding too similar to the Night CD, but that may not be such a bad thing.