So, The Kings of Leon hey? From a southern American state to nearing global domination in about five years. However, for four of them years they hardly looked like 'breaking it'. Their debut full-length album "Young & Young Manhood" was an excellent first effort that seemed a bit 'different' to the majority of stuff out there. "Aha, Shake Heartbreak" was a great performance for the so-called difficult second album. But it ultimately appeared as if the Kings of Leon were destined to be a band that the majority liked but only the minority loved....
Then something happened. "Because of the Times" was released.
Released on April 2, 2007 in the UK on Hand Me Down it stormed to the top of the album chart and give the band radio airplay that it only sparsely received prior to the release. The album's 13 tracks show not so much
the maturity of the band, but the development of them. "Youth & Young Manhood" consisted of a number of short, little ditty's that were musically very basic when it comes to structure but now they show a skill in their music that is rarely surpassed by any bands of a similar ilk.
Opening number "Knocked Up" is a seven-minute build-up that is the perfect accompaniment for driving along the coast on a perfect summers day. It's melodic, psychedelic, moving and everything in between. And because it's all these things, it's like nothing they'd produced before. An eye opener to say the least. Yet it works superbly, and Caleb Followill's vocals providing an excellent compliment to it with haunting yet gravely words that are so distinguishable from anyone else out there.
Track number two was one of the album's singles, "Charmer", and is one of a kind to say the least...the high-pitched yelps in between lines by not be to everyone's tastes but they have an infectious element to them that make you want to listen again and again. Along with a thick baseline, it is a speedy little number that is similar to singles from their previous albums. It's a method that works brilliantly, time and time again.
Other singles taken from the album include "On Call" and "Fans". The latter showcases Caleb's haunting vocals. "I'm on call, to be there" just sends shivers down the listeners spine when the track finishes. "Fans", which is stuck down at number 9 on the album listing, proving the strength of the line-up, is an excellent song to hear live by them. Acoustic guitars that burst into life for the chorus is a technique that rock bands have used for decades, but it still works, and always will when it's done as well as this.
Is there a weak link to the album? Given the simple option a 'yes' or 'no', the answer is 'no' every time. In their previous releases there was the occasional track that you'd skip over after a couple of listens as it was, with all due respect, filler music compared to other tracks on the album. On Because of the Times however, despite the strength of the singles, the rest of what's on offer is just as worthy to tie the shoes of musical excellence. Other personal stand out tracks include "Ragoo", "Black Thumbnail" and "Camaro"...you'd also be interested to note that it's available for as little as £3.98 on Amazon at the moment due to the release of their new album...dare I suggest that it may be getting a few purchases in the coming couple of weeks?!
On the surface they may not appear as media-savvy as someone like Dave Grohl or have the extended back catalogue that Jack White can possess, but they've worked their socks off and toured as much as anyone out there in the past two years. A headline performance at Glastonbury this year proved they'd reached the big time. It included a premiere play of a new track from their fourth studio album, which was released on September 22nd. This single has now become a number 1 in the UK; "Sex On Fire", showing that the future is bright, the future is Kings of Leon's.
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Aha Shake Heartbreakmay have blown open the doors of fame for Kings of Leon, but their ... more
third full-length album (named for a United Pentecostal Church ministers' conference) could well usher the Nashville foursome directly to rock and roll's zenith. The...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Aha Shake Heartbreak may have blown open the doors of fame for Kings of Leon, but their ... more
third full-length album (named for a United Pentecostal Church ministers' conference) could well usher the Nashville foursome directly to rock and roll's zenith. Th...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: Every song is completely different, original and like nothing you'll have heard before. Amazing! Disadvantages: I wish there were more tracks!
Advantages: Every song is completely different, original and like nothing you'll have heard before. Amazing! Disadvantages: I wish there were more tracks!
Advantages: High Octane album packed with explosive and fantastic guitar riffs Disadvantages: Lead singer Followhill's sometimes garbled lyrics are hard to understand
Sep 24th, 2008
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