I have a friend who described The Kings Of Leon’s latest album as ‘different’ - but what does he know about music?

Only By The Night has to be one of the 00’s (noughties, as in 2000 - 2009) greatest albums - no exaggeration. It has been majestically written and produced by a band that constantly steps up to the plate to deliver quality records.

I am, admittedly, a huge fan - but that doesn’t add anything to my critique.

The first single from the album, Sex On Fire, really sets the tone for what you can expect from the other tracks e.g. energy, some times dark and altogether great, catchy music.

The album continues with Use Somebody which could easily be the next single.

It was supposed that the bands 2007 release Because Of The Times would see it at the peak of its powers - but I can’t help but feel that they are just starting to get into their groove now with Only By The Night.

This band can be as big as they want to be and it will only be the “settling down” mentality that will see it dwindle.

Key tracks:

• Absolutely all of them

Track Listing:

1. Closer
2. Crawl
3. Sex On Fire
4. Use Somebody
5. Manhattan
6. Revelry
7. Seventeen
8. Notion
9. I Want You
10. Be Somebody
11. Cold Desert

The following album review was not created by Music Review Zone. This is a guest post by Christina over at God, History and You.

The title of the Sonny & Cher classic “Baby, Don’t Go” best expresses my feelings upon hearing of the break-up of the country group “formerly known as” PovertyNeck Hillbillies (PNH).  I had barely begun to get to know them before they disbanded…I may never get over this!

The gritty gutsiness of lead singer “Abby” Abbondonza’s voice has got to be the singularly most outstanding trait of this group of musicians.  Passionate joy rumbles just below the surface of their music.  Add to this strength of emotion and the power of truth and, when the PovertyNeck Hillbillies perform, they rock the house. (I’d read somewhere that these guys were Christians, too, so for me [as a Christian,] that puts ‘em over the top!)

The “Don’t Look Back” album, number two in a catalogue of three from the band, has some typically corny country themes (Jericho - a saloon shoot-out over a woman and, sorry, son, but you’re gonna hang) and some twangy guitar here and there.  What would country music be without twangy guitar, right?  But I wouldn’t classify the PNH’s style as hard-core country, not at all.  Somethin’ about that joy… PovertyNeck Hillbillies offer substance, solid performances that leave you exhilarated and satisfied at the same time.

My personal faves:

• The Night that Changed My Life  (a joyful, joyful song)
• She Rides Wild Horses  (eloquent piano, haunting fiddle)
• The Hillbilly Way   (pulls no punches, makes no excuses - Love ‘im or leave ‘im, baby!)

Track-Listing:

1. The Night That Changed My Life
2. Heaven Help Me
3. The Hillbilly Way
4. Kinda Cool Ain’t It
5. One Night in New Orleans
6. She Rides Wild Horses
7. Jericho
8. Any Road
9. Mr. Right Now
10. Born To Be Free

Fellas, God be with you all, and may your future separate endeavours prove the truth of that telling axiom that the sum of the parts is greater than the whole.

The following album review was not created by Music Review Zone. This is a guest post by Jeff Stern.

Clinton Strowder has released a new album called “Alone With You“. It is a superb blend of Pop, R & B, and Soul at its finest.

The opening track “Biography” blends his narrative lead vocal with a heavy duty hip-hop beat. The sparse muscial arrangement enhances his rock steady vocal performance of the story, which is about courageously daring to be who you are despite obstacles and the consequences of such action.

He then musically slides into “Side By Side”; a song about love found, nourished, and kept until the end of time. His songs “Dream To Be” and “Stay With Me” come to life with musical arrangements reminiscent of the sounds of recording artists George Benson and Isaac Hayes. The sultry ballad “First Kiss” is hit material with its timeless arrangement and Clintons’ silky vocal delivery.

For a debut cd/album this collection is an impressive outing of original songs and I am sure that we will be hearing a lot more from Clinton Strowder (pronounced Strauder).

He is currently an unsigned artist and is sponsoring a fundraiser for his next CD. It is called the Artists Fundraising Webathon - Internet Website Telethon. You can get more information about prizes and make a donation at: Recording Artists Fundraising Webathon.

One year ago Lady Antebellum were signing their first record contract, Capitol Nashville. The band have just released their self titled debut album. It has entered the Billboard Country chart at number 1 and number 4 in the main chart - quite the achievement for the trio.

The album kicks off strongly with ‘Love Don’t Live Here’ and ‘Lookin’ For A Good Time’ - the latter being my favourite on the album as it is a fun song. ‘All We’d Ever Need’ takes the album into ’serious thought’ territory. It picks back up with ‘Home Is Where The Heart Is’ - another favourite on the record.

Overall - a good solid album which should have longevity.

Favourites: Lookin’ For A Good Time, Home Is Where The Heart Is, Love’s Lookin’ Good On You.

(3 votes, average: 4 out of 5)

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Track Listing

1. Love Don’t Live Here
2. Lookin’ For A Good Time
3. All We’d Ever Need
4. Long Gone
5. I Run To You
6. Love’s Looking Good On You
7. Home Is Where The Heart Is
8. Things People Say
9. Slow Down Sister
10. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
11. One Day You Will

Damien Rice picks up where he left off with his first album “0″ with 9. Just as much drama and thought is sewn into 9 that you feel anyone of its songs would have been comfortably at home on the “O” record. It’s just such a natural extension.

The orchestras are back and the edge that the violin has really helps to give this album the power that it needs and thrives on. It’s fair to point out that the album seems very pointed - as in directed to one mentality. I think this is one aspect of Damien’s writing that he has room to work with. His Irish counterpart Paddy Casey has a knack of producing positive lyrics. If Rice could take those lyrics and add his phenomenal ability for soft to powerful delivery then he would be a massive hit - not that he isn’t already but he is currently pigeon-holed in one bracket.

Solid album. Key tracks: 9 Crimes, Elephant, Me, My Yolk, and I and Grey Room

(5 votes, average: 4.4 out of 5)

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Track Listing

1. 9 Crimes
2. The Animals Were Gone
3. Elephant
4. Rootless Tree
5. Dogs
6. Coconut Skins
7. Me, My Yoke, and I
8. Grey Room
9. Accidental Babies
10. Sleep Don’t Weep

Produced by Keith Stegall and Jim Ritchie this is a step up for Clay Walker. Released in April, 2007 Fall and is the Texans eighth album.

Alan Jackson’s loss has definitely turned into Walkers gain in this album as Keith Stegall and Clay seem to work very well together if this album is anything to go by. Deeper lyrics are evident from the Honky Tonk style we are used to from this lively country artist - and that’s not to say you don’t get any Honky Tonk ’cause we do and that is evident in Workin’ Man and Average Joe.

This album contains a little more thought. Songs like Fall, You’re My Witness and It Ain’t Pretty are well written hits. This is pure country charm all wrapped up in a CD.

You won’t be disappointed.

(4 votes, average: 3.25 out of 5)

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Track Listing

1. ‘Fore She Was Mama
2. Fall
3. Workin’ Man
4. Miami And Me
5. She Likes It In The Morning
6. Mexico
7. You’re My Witness
8. Average Joe
9. It Ain’t Pretty (But It’s Beautiful)
10. Before The Next Teardrop Falls (with Freddy Fender)
11. I’d Love To Be Your Last
12. I Hate Nights Like This

Its a bit dramatic to start a review of with : This album is brilliant - but it is. Yes it is a greatest hits compilation but I could list numerous “greatest hits” albums that have a maximum of 5 good songs. Keith Urban has drawn the best from his last 5 albums and put together a special line up of music - and no, I am not being paid to say this.

Favourites: Romeo’s Tune, Got It Right This Time, Better Life, Your My Better Half

Some die-hard country fans may discard the album as not being country and they may have a point. Its definitely not fully POP - so I am slotting this one in as POP/Country - hows that for slipping out of a sticky situation.

If you want pop country - this is your album.

(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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Track Listing

1. Romeo’s Tune
2. Got It Right This Time
3. I Told You So
4. Stupid Boy
5. Better Life
6. Making Memories Of Us
7. Once In A Lifetime
8. Tonight I Wanna Cry
9. You’re My Better Half
10. Days Go By
11. But For The Grace Of God
12. You’ll Think Of Me
13. Who Wouldn’t Wanna Be Me
14. Raining On Sunday
15. Where The Blacktop Ends
16. Your Everything
17. Somebody Like You
18. Everybody

The Cost is the first Frames album to be released on a full distribution cycle through a record company.

The first song to hit you is Falling Slowly. The song floats relentlessly and is a beautifully written Frames classic. To understand the band is to understand this song. It stands with Red Chord and Fitzcarraldo as one of the best. From here the album drifts into melodrama. “True” starts slow and develops into a powerful song. The title song “The Cost” delivers a message but fails in its impact as the tune doesn’t kick enough - something that the Frames can be blamed for but then maybe I am forgetting the type of music these guys create.

Often times the band partially deliver on their albums and save their energy for the stage. Live, this band are hard to beat and play with great energy - empowering the crowd to react in similar gusto.

This is a solid album for the Folk/Rock lovers.

(7 votes, average: 3.14 out of 5)

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Track Listing

1. Song For Someone
2. Falling Slowly
3. People Get Ready
4. Rise
5. When Your Mind’s Made Up
6. Sad Songs
7. The Cost
8. True
9. The Side You Never Get To See
10. Bad Bone