James Arden checks out the garage rockers latest album.
The Christian rock band from Brighton bring religion to the masses.
Following the recent release of their second album, Portamento, The Drums are mid-way through a massive UK tour schedule. The Yorker caught them in Leeds.
As for Kelly Rowland, she seemed to keep things running by going in a much different musical direction to Beyoncé. Instead of taking a showy, bombastic stance with her music, her first solo album in 2003, Simply Deep was slower and filled with ballads. I remember 'Stole' and 'Beyond Imagination' being some of my favourite songs - I was clearly a very sappy kid.
However, Here I Am reflects the modern direction for RnB unabashedly... for better or for worse. The more emotional and heartfelt songs have been pushed to the side for party tunes, and guest verses from rappers. If I wanted to twist the knife, I could say that Kelly is trying retread some of the ground that Beyoncé has already stomped over, but that doesn't work out to be the whole truth. That said, the lead track, 'I'm Dat Chick' has as an 808 rhythm that just screams 'Diva'
On one hand, this is a smart decision for Kelly. It's just the sort of sound that gets you radio airtime and club requests (Indeed, club-goers are going to recognise 'Commander' and 'When Love Takes Over'), but from my rose-tinted and cynical point of view, it has resulted in something lacking. Mostly because the guest rappers are positively awful, and too frequent.
'Work It Man' features Lil Playy, 'Lay It On Me' brings in Big Sean, and Motivation summons forth - ugh - Lil Wayne, who continues to embarrass himself with his lyric choice. "Hold up wait, new position:/ I put her on my plate, then I do the dishes" I threw up in my mouth a little just typing that.
On the other hand 'Keep It Between Us' gives Kelly the room to stretch her vocal chords some on more relaxed beats; along with 'Heaven & Earth', which is a classic piano ballad. She still has it, but the songs are unfortunately none too catchy.
Alas, the remainder of the album is rather samey. The loud and bright 'club synth' shows up on too many tracks, and although they're spread out through the album, they still feel like they're outstaying their welcome.
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