Kings of Leon are becoming a huge worldwide band. Their fourth album, and in my opinion the best, ‘Only by the Night’, was released on 19 September 2008 and has successfully dominated music charts in 10 different worldwide countries. The album has recently hit eight times platinum and was voted the best album of 2008. Now the records speak for themselves, but now I’ll go through the tracks and give my own opinion on why this album was the best in 2008.

Track Information

Track 1 – Closer – “3.57” My Rating – 7/10

This is the kind of song that I would describe as a Stadium Song. The sort of song that starts of slowly but when it builds up turns into a song that is actually good to listen too. Closer was way out of the normal Kings of Leon genre, as it combines synth and electronical effects, with shoegazing guitars. The risk paid off in my opinion as it sets a good tone to the album!! My favourite line in the song is “spotlights are swaying and phone lines are down” as it tells you straight away the dark context to the lyrics.

Track 2 – Crawl – “4.06” My Rating 8/10

Crawl is Kings of Leon back to the genre they suit best and was written by the band based on an ‘Anti – War’ theme. It’s the kind of song that gets your feet tapping and your head nodding. Catchy guitar chords effectively combined with an excellent drum line and nothing but pitch perfect lyrics from charismatic, talented front man Caleb Followill. My favourite line in the song is “The Crucified USA” as it sums up what the anti war theme throughout the song.

Track 3 – Sex On Fire – “3.23” My Rating 10/10

If it was possible to rate a song 11/10 then this would be this would be an 11. Not only the sound of many houses, but many bars and clubs up and down the country too. The song peaked at number 1 in Ireland, Finland, United Kingdom and Australia, which shows the real merit of the song. It has now turned three times platinum and has won a host of awards including a Grammy. The most ironic part about the song is the song was never intended to be called Sex on Fire which now is the iconic lyric in the song. From the second the song begins with loud and distorted guitar chords, you know this is gonna be a classic. My favourite line in the song is “all the commotion, the kiddy like play”

Track 4 – Use Somebody – “3.50” My Rating 9.5/10

In many peoples eyes ‘Use Somebody’ is more successful than Sex on Fire as it spent an astonishing 13 weeks in the UK top 10, but never quite made it to the number one spot. The song was written by Caleb, and was written at a period on tour when the band had fallen out. This is why the lyrics reflect the band realising they needed each other. What I like best about the song is the catchy lyrics and backing lyrics. As Caleb belts out the lyrics in his own unique and quirky way, the backing vocals of what are best described as ooahh, wahhh, ooahh’s fit perfectly with the guitars. Like Sex on Fire the song has reached Platinum twice. My favourite line in the song is “Off in the Night While You live if Up, I’m off to sleep”, as it talks about how the band fell out over contrasting lifestyles in-between gigs.

Track 5 – Manhattan – “3.24” My Rating 10/10

In my opinion the best, yet most underrated song on the album. In my opinion it portrays a sort of rebellious side about a person; saying how they will “dance all night” and “sip this wine”, which shows a party hard attitude. I really do love this song and the catchy guitar solo that is played throughout most of the song stays in your thoughts for days to come!! No reports as to when or if the single will be released but in my opinion it’s a certain number one!! My favourite line in the song is “gonna show this town, how to kiss these stars” as it is saying that the sky is not the limit.

Track 6 – Revelry – “3.21” My Rating 5/10

Probably the weakest song on the album, which explains why it only reached 29 in the UK singles chart. A somewhat disappointing follow up to ‘Sex on Fire’ and ‘Use Somebody’, Revelry was the third song released from the album. The song is sang to a woman as she is being asked questions in the lyrics such as “why are you never around”. Don’t get me wrong, if you like this song then that is your own opinion, but I feel it is a real weak point in the album and it never really gets started. My Favourite line is “you know I’m a dancing machine”

Track 7 – 17 – “3.05” My Rating 7/10

No I haven’t misspelt the title; the song is actually called 17 and is about a 17 year old girl who regularly features throughout the lyrics. The song was rumoured to have been a left over from their second album, “Aha Shake Heartbreak”, and features an old school Kings of Leon baseline, which is very effective and prominent throughout the song. My favourite line in the song is “wind and wind and wound up over everything”, because it is showing their opinion on what the teenage girl is like.

Track 8 – Notion – “3.00” My Rating 9.5/10

Another superb hidden gem hidden in with all the chart topping hits! Notion is the shortest song on the album, but is also one of the best. I can guarantee by the end of the song the chorus “don’t knock it, don’t knock it” will be well and truly etched into your head!! Notion is a brilliant, yet somewhat repetitive, song with a strong rhythm and chorus that echoes throughout. Favourite line in the song is “got an answer to your story today”, as they begin to explain the ‘Notion’ in the song.

Track 9 – I Want You – “5.07” My Rating 6/10

‘I Want You’ is a song about a failed couple who are trying to make it together again. We know this as the chorus of “I want you, exactly like I used too” show us these facts. The song effectively tells a story of how the couple are getting back together. It is the longest song by over a minute, and does give the impression where it does drag on a bit. In all honesty I’m not a massive fan of this song and it’s a bit boring and dull for my liking. My favourite lyric in the song is “I call shotgun, you can play your R ‘n’ B tunes”

Track 10 – Be Somebody – “3.47” My Rating 8/10

Not to be confused with chart topper ‘Use Somebody’, ‘Be Somebody’ is yet another hidden gem on this brilliant album! A ‘Phil Collins-esque’ drum beat rings prominent throughout the song and this is another example of how effective Caleb Followill’s quirky voice is! The song is about wanting to make a name for yourself and “Being somebody”. Favourite line in the song is “Given a chance, I'm gonna be somebody” as it pretty much sums up the song in one line!!

I’ve never known a band so brilliantly combine quirky lyrics with Nirvana like baselines, Led Zeppelin guitar solos and Phil Collins like drum beats. A Real Gem of a CD, which I would be stupid not to recommend to you all. Hope you enjoyed the review and am hoping for my first exceptional review :)

Matthew