Generally, the Single arouses suspicion.

I know it’s meant as an offering of pleasures to come. A taste of what-is-anxiously-awaited or something-altogether-different. Or reassurance that the artists we love haven’t lost their touch. The Single is a glimpse into the yet unknown whole. But as fans and listeners, can we trust it? Is it an accurate representation? Is it too canned, too distant? Does it push the limits enough? Is it as good as anything on the last album? And really, we just hope it doesn’t sound like crap.

Suspicion was once again aroused a few weeks ago when Tennessee- hailing Kings of Leon released their single “Sex On Fire,” from their recent album Only by the Night. I like those boys. I like the story of their unconventional rise to fame, from Southern evangelical preacher’s sons to genuine rock stars. I like their hair. I really like the drummer (he is one talented dude). But would this be just another “likable” single, a prelude to another enjoyable, if somewhat predictable, Kings album?

Nope. I love this Single. I mean, love. “Sex on Fire”’s hammering wall of sound, wailing lyrics, and insides-squeezing emotion came in way above expectations. I was lying in bed when I first heard the song played on the radio; I bolted straight up, stared intently at the stereo and demanded: “WHO is this? I didn’t know Kings of Leon did this!” In the age of mp3 and instant digital downloads, I chose to lie in bed for another 3 hours waiting to hear it again, with a sense of childlike exuberance. And I had a feeling that over the next few weeks, I would probably be hearing a lot of it.

BUT…what does it say about the album yet to come? Is this it? Would this hook be the best of it? Have I really fallen for a radio single?

Well, after a week of steady listening, I’m pleased to report that Only by the Night does not disappoint. The second single “Use Somebody,” is another step in the right direction, though neither single is the best or the worst of the collection – “Manhattan” and “Revelry” are also excellent standout tunes. Without a doubt their best effort so far, Kings of Leon gets a new, heavier grip on their rock n roll roots.

Hopefully, the secret won’t come out.

Some moments of utter silence, you could hear a pin drop. Breathtaking, considering Chicago audiences are know for anything but quiet.

The most ideal setting, The Chicago Theater…

Intimate and acoustically perfect

Otherworldly

A hypnotic series of wailing waves of sound…

Sometimes gentle, Sometimes Crashing

memories of the Cocteau Twins… (How I miss them)…

Moments of blissful euphoria

Please come back soon… we need more of this music…

All images © Bobby Talamine and are provided by the photographer for skipthedial.com

It’s a shame - truly a shame to hear about his passing…

And it came as a shock.

To die so suddenly from cancer

And talk about a huge void… Seriously…

An outstanding instrumentalist.

Dark Side of the Moon wouldn’t exist without him…

“The great gig in the sky”, “Us and Them”…

Definitely Richard Wright creations that still sound so fresh to this day.

I met him briefly on David Gilmour’s tour a couple of years ago and I met a true English Gentleman - Quiet, Reserved, and Just fun to be around…

You could tell he enjoyed life, playing music, and performing.

So again, I’m going to miss his contributions to Pink Floyd tremendously, His keen ear for bluesy, whoosy, lushful dreamy unmistakable sounds generating from his keyboards.

A toast to Richard Wright, looking up at this great blue sky…

You will be missed.

It’s really hard to not listen to a band fronted by de la Rocha without thinking about Rage Against the Machine, this being both a good thing for RATM and a bad thing for de la Rocha. The voice and attitude is the same, the band backing him is not.

My fanatical views of Rage Against the Machine aside, I call this a buy, you can never go wrong with listening to Zach put his heart and soul ( and anger? ) into his song and Jon Theodore on the drums is just as amazing and doesn’t let the power of Zach overshadow him.

Links:

One Day as a Lion
Myspace

Fortunately, there are a LOT of more-than-noteworthy acts to experience. Here are some of the others we are looking forward to, and some of the songs that grabbed our attention:

The Black Keys (Friday 8/1 4:15) - “Psychotic Girl” - Attack & Release

Battles (Saturday 8/2 6:30) - “Atlas” “Prismism”- Mirrored

MGMT (Saturday 8/2 3:30) - “Electric Feel” “Time To Pretend” - Oracular Spectacular

The Gutter Twins (Saturday 8/2 2:30) - “Idle Hands” - Saturnalia

Saul Williams (Sunday 8/3 5:00) - “Sunday Bloody Sunday” (yes, cover of the U2 classic) – but from an album called The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust…it definitely got our attention (in a good way).

Oh and YAY for the return of old musical friends!

Toadies ( Saturday 8/2 7:30)

Love and Rockets (Sunday 8/3 6:15)

Other acts we wish would be making an appearance:

Vampire Weekend

Grand Ole Party

She & Him

Rilo Kiley

The Bees

Peter Bjorn & John