Album Results
Album Reviews
International Affairs' problems -- with being overcooked, with trying to do too much -- are nonexistent on this handy summary of Vikter Duplaix's previously vinyl-only solo and collaborative work, released originally on MAW, Groove Attack, and K7. Gathered together from less-polished solo sessions (both under his own name and as Critical Point) and link-ups with the likes of Jazzanova and Wadud, Singles shows that Duplaix tends to turn in his best material when he's more concerned with raw feeling than slick precision. If you're remotely familiar with Duplaix, you won't be surprised to hear a mishmash of downtempo dance music and contemporary R&B. The remix of "Manhood" translates Kraftwerk's "Tour de France" into a slo-mo jitter that's more Timbaland-like than anything else he's done since, while tracks like "Messages" and "City Spirits" could be slotted into wildly varying DJ sets from West London to New York. On the downside, two songs appear in two versions, taking away the disc's ability to function like a proper studio album. That's something of a missed opportunity. There's no way the disc could've been completely thorough, compiling all the stray tracks Duplaix has amassed in the past few years, but it could've been arranged to flow just a little better -- instead, it's more likely to be skipped through from track to track. These factors aside, Singles remains an effective stopgap, even if it lacks Bugz in the Attic's broken beat remix of "Looking for Love" and the smooth glide of King Britt's remix of "City Spirits." It makes Duplaix's status as a fringe artist all the more baffling. There's really nothing his multiple-platinum contemporaries have that he doesn't have. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
Track Listing
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Use Somebody Kings Of Leon |
| When Kings of Leon were announced as one of the headline acts of Glastonbury last June, it was accompanied by a cloud of doubts. Questions about the bands legitimacy for such a prestigious slot were all answered when the Followill's delivered, what was for many, one of the highlights of the festival. As well achieving this milestone the band completed a sold out world tour and, in "Only By The Night", released one of the defining albums of the year. "Use Somebody" captures the band at their most reflective, revealing a desire to turn away from philandering ways and settle down. Could it be that the band's notorious womanising days are behind them? Whether the lyrical content is autographical or not is irrelevant, the track is just another example of how the band provides mainstream rock that doesn't, fortunately, fall into Snow Patrol territory. Anthemic without ever feeling overblown, "Use Somebody" is the sound of the band fully hitting their stride. Expect a sea of lighters when this gets played live and while you may feel a bit cheesy for complying, with songs of this standard it's perfectly acceptable. ©2008 Shazam Entertainment Limited. All rights reserved. | |
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