Kings Of Leon, Only by the Night

This is one of my favourite albums by one of my favourite bands. In this review I will try to tell you as much as I can about both the album and the band, to help you learn more about both, and to help you make the best buying decision.

Who are the Kings of Leon?

The Kings of Leon are an orginal, unique, alternative rock band from Tennesse. The band is made up of three brothers and their cousin, and they named their band 'Leon', as it is the name of both their grandfather and their father.
The singer is called Kaleb (I think this is how you spell it). He is a really unique distingable voice. I think he is a really good, powerful singer.

You can watch many of the Kings of Leons videos online. Their offical website is: www.kingsofleon.com. You can also find them on YouTube.

Songs you may have heard by Kings of Leon are: 'Charmer' (She's such a charmer oh no. Owww!),' Use Somebody' (You know that I could use somebody, someone like you.)
You're most likely to hear some of their songs on Radio 1.

How did I get the album?

I first heard the song 'Sex on Fire' on Radio1, ages ago and couldn't get it out of my head. I kept singing it all the time, 'Woooooaaaahhh! Your sex is on firrrreee!!'
A few weeks after I heard the song 'Use somebody', and liked this song just as much. I researched a little into who the Kings of Leon were, as I hadn't really heard many of their songs before, I had recognised the band name though, and on YouTube I found one of their old songs, which is called 'On Call' which I thought I had heard before. The whole band have had haircuts since this song which I why I didn't recognise them on the music channels. After their haircuts they are a really good looking band as well as having some fantastic songs.

Christmas was coming up so I ask if I could get their album.
When I got the album I listened to it straight away on Christmas day and unlike with most albums which when I listen to them too much they get boring after a while, I still listen to this one all the time now. I loved all the songs the first time I heard them and still think they are great now.
Almost everyone I know loves the Kings of Leon, they're a truly fantastic, unique and orignal band.

Songs on the album

As you will notice in Specific Criteria I have rated the Quality and consistency of tracks as flawless. This is because I have enjoyed listening to all the songs on the album and think they are all really good tracks.

01 Closer (3:57)
This is a really good first song to start the album off. It sounds really creepy and is a really good tune, everyone will love it! If you want to hear some of these songs before you decide to buy the album you can listen to them on sites such as youtube.com. I think the best words to describe this song are chilling and slightly creepy. When you listen to it you image it to be set in a dark place, like a haunted forest somewhere.

02 Crawl (4:07)

03 Sex on Fire (3:25)
My favourite song of all time by Kings of Leon, Sex on fire is an amazing song, its really catchy and people of all genders and ages love it. To me this song is the highlight of the album. The single reached number one in the charts in the UK, Australia, Finland and Ireland.
When I heard it for the first time I had no idea who sang it. I thought whoever was singing it has a really good voice and I still think this now. This is one of my favourite songs ever and it sounds great on my big speakers with the volume turned right up. I recently had it on at a party and everyone was loving it.

04 Use Somebody (3:52)
This is a really catchy tune with great lyrics. It reached number two in the charts in the UK. When you listen to it you feel like either singing along if you are that kind of person or if you are in a good mood, or when its finished you get it stuck it your head and you either want to listen to it again or can't get it out of your head.
Most people I know love this song, when it first came out I remember everyone was singing it in school.

05 Manhattan (3:24)

06 Revelry (3:22)
This was the third single released from the album, on 2nd March 2009. It's a really orginal song and sounds really unique compared to most songs out in the charts at the moment. It is another great song by the Kinds of Leon.

07 17 (3:07)
This song is really, really good. In my opinion it should have been released as a single. Like most of the Kings of Leon's songs, its original and different, but absolutely amazing.

08 Notion (3:01)
This was the fourth single released from the album, on 29th June 2009. It is another really good, catchy song and I really enjoy listening to it. Again, this is a really original and unique song and I have never heard any other song which sounds like it.

09 I Want You (5:05)

10 Be Somebody (3:48)

11 Cold Desert (5:37)

=== What Have Others Said About the Album?==
I asked a few other people who have listened to the album before what their opinions on it are. Here is what they have said:
"I enjoyed most of the songs on this album, especially 'Sex on Fire' and 'Use Somebody'. I like the voice of the singer." - My sister, 13
"They're an amazing band who never fail to impress. I love all their songs from this album and listen to it all the time!" My friend, 16

I have also researched online what critics have said about the album, and copied a few varied reports below.
Their reviews were mainly positive, which isn't surprising. Here is what they have said, according to
http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/kingsofleon/onlybythenight
You can also read the rest of the reviews and others through the link above.

Delusions of Adequacy
It’s a tight, very good album and although it’ll have its unfair share of detractors, like the rest of the band’s albums, it will shine no matter what

Blender
When Caleb evokes God's wrath on the "crucified U.S.A." or describes lost-highway lonelines, the batter-fried U2 atmospherics and portentous Dixiefied grunge makes his worry as real as Brimstone.

The Guardian
Much of Only By the Night is unmistakably the work of a band making music with arenas in mind. Sometimes it's intriguing.

NOW Magazine
For the most part the record is a sluggish mess of sweeping guitars and stoner-rock sounds, not unlike what you might hear at a high school talent show.

Entertainment Weekly
Throughout Only by the Night, frontman Caleb Followill wails forlornly about cheap thrills and true love while his two brothers (and a cousin) bash
 out spooky, raw-edged riffs that rarely go where you expect them to.

===Prices===
I have compared some online prices to help you get the album for the cheapest deal. All prices are correct for Saturday 27th June.
At the moment you can buy the album on HMV.co.uk for £6.99 with free delivery, which I think is pretty good considering how good the album is.
On play.com the album is £7.99 with free delivery.
On Zavvi.co.uk it is £8.95 with free delivery.

You can probably also get a cheaper deal for this album on auction sites such as eBay or Amazon.
In Specific Criteria I have rated this CD as excellent value for money. This is because it doesn't cost as much as some CDs out there, and it is definitely better than many other albums out there. I don't think I will ever want to throw this album away.

Do I recommend the album?

Yes! I definitely recommend the album as it is truly unique and I love listening to it. The Kings Of Leon are a great band and almost everyone enjoys listening to their music. In my opinion you'd be mad not to enjoy their music.
If you still aren't sure about buying the album I recommend listening to their songs on YouTuvve

Hope my review of Kings of Leon - Only by the Night is helpful to you. x