Youth And Young Manhood - Kings Of Leon

Advantages: Some quality tracks, good mix of Blues and Rock.
Disadvantages: Another band NME have decided to herald, which has been the downfall of many

...Grandfather Leon. The debut album Youth and Young Manhood was released through Hand Me Down Records earlier this year. The band are a rock band but in a similar way to the aforementioned White Stripes they have mixed in that Blues sound into a pretty rock laden album. However unlike The Datsuns, they have managed to make the family connection work in the band, as musically they seem far superior to their New Zealand rivals. The NME of course has ...
...album for 10 years, they may not be right but it is bloody good. The first track is one of the two singles released so far, "Red Morning Light" and what a start to the album it actually makes. The track opens with a quick guitar burst before the vocals come in then followed almost straight away by the drums. Caleb’s vocals sound fantastic on this track, mixing styles well between rock and a little bit of what sounds like it could almost be Blue ... Read review

Advantages: A Catchy Mix Of Southern Style Musics
Disadvantages: The Vocalist's Style May Not Be Your Cup Of Tea

The Kings of Leon have exploded in notoriety in recent years, and this is where it really all started. The debut album kicks of with the psychotic guitar anthem "Red Morning Light" that shows you just what the kings (and thier guitars) are capable of in this barnstorming first track that is arguably one of the best on the album. We then reach the deceptiviely simple "Happy Alone", don't be fooled by the unpretentious beginnings, once the chorus is ...
...opens the throttle. After the similar "Wasted Time", we reach the ballad section. "Joe's Head" and "Trani" are some great floaty style ballads with style, "Joe's Head" having a bit of pace that sets it apart from "Trani". From here we reach the cowbell-beat intro of "California Waiting"; a great, driving force that is a microcosm of what the album is about. Similarly powerful rock/Rhythm&Blues tracks "Spiral Staircase" and "Molly's Chambers" add ... Read review

Advantages: Fresh music from a band without a 'the'
Disadvantages: Won't be everyone's cup of tea

...Stripes would ideally sound. From those first couple tracks it moves from upbeat, rock to subtler, smoother numbers and back again, mixing the two up into a fantastic lather of musical pleasure. Youth and Young Manhood has now become one of my permanent driving albums. Long live the Kings. ... Read review

Advantages: The greatest debut since "Definatly Maybe"
Disadvantages: Kings of Leon?... Disadvantages?.. Eh?

...growl, with un-adulterated blues cool, Youth and Young Manhood exudes all the excellence needed to be a great debut. Starting with the sublime single “Red morning light” a track which singer Caleb sounds as if he’s been smoking 20 a day since he was born, this record kicks off in a rawkus manner. “Joe's Head”, one of the stand out tracks, a tale of vengeful murder, shows the strokes just how its done when it comes to “growl and shine” guitars. But ...
...show their true potential , a song about getting off with an older woman, this really does show us what to expect of them in the future... Tracks like "Trani", yes, Trani show that these three southern american sons of a preacher man plus their cousin have a bit of light and shade in their set, slowing the pace down this track really does shine when all around it growls. New single "California waiting" gets the pace going again, showing us what ... Read review

Advantages: new, different
Disadvantages: acquired taste

I'm not sure what music classification this fits into and to be honest i dont really care, i just no this is a fantastic album! The best i can do is upbeat slightly country rock, thats probably close enough. When i hear his voice i cant help but think of stones front man mick jagger in songs like happy alone. It is quite 'retro' if you'll excuse the phrasing with some very modern and simple guitar playing. Track 4 is the superb joe's head, melodic ...
...upbeat chorus before the end of the song which finishes as any good guitar sng should, screaming. Theres a good mix of melody, rock and superb vocals which for me is the most important thing in a band. Its all about the frontman, they've got to have that speacial something in there voice, and this guys got plenty of it. I very much look forward to what they do in the future, hopefully they'll take the right route and not 'sell-out'. ... Read review

Advantages: It Rocks and, indeed, Rolls
Disadvantages: Some tracks sound a bit samey.

...and are just as good as some of the faster songs. That said the strength of this album is the uptempo real rock and roll tracks like the singles Are You Gonna Be My Girl and Rollover DJ and the other two stand-out tracks Get What You Need and, my personal favourite, Cold Hard B*tch. These are songs with real punch, pinache and Rock 'n' Roll attitude. The kind that have you nodding your head, pushing your lips into a Jagger-esque pout and rocking all over your room complete with air guitar! It's hard to compare Get Born and Jet to any albums or bands around at the moment (the closest is probably Youth and Young Manhood by The Kings of Leon) so for a real comparison you probably have to listen to the real rock and roll bands of yesteryear (start with The Rollling Stones, The Who, The Kinks and The Jam) and imagine them being modernised... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good vibe and a rocky sound
Disadvantages: none that I can think of

...In a world where short-lived pop melodies created by management rather than by the artists are taking over, it is a breath of fresh air to find a band whoto stick to their roots and create music with a simple yet inspiring - occassionally mellow rock vibe. Anyone who knows Kings of Leon or who have bought their previous album, Youth and Young Manhood knows what Kings of Leon have to offer and don't need me to convince them to buy their second album. For those of you who haven't yet had the pleasure, buy this album! Interestingly for a rock album (with a slight down home country feel to it) there is a consistently uplifting vibe to this album. I defy anyone to listen to this without finding your foot taping along or your head nodding back and forth by half way through the first song, Slow night so long. When listening to this... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful