Apr

5

Kings Of Leon - Because Of The Times

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April 5, 2007 |

Our live reviewer Dave sits down to do an album review for us today, Dave is a big Kings of Leon fan, so I wanted his perspective on the new album, Because of the Times.

Rock and roll seems to have lost its true identity. After a very distinct period in the 1970s, the genre seems to have departed Because of the Timesinto a disparate amount of directions. Starting with hair metal and the early onset of indie rock in the 80s and leading up to the lousy radio rock of this decade, true rock and roll fans have been searching for a band that could suffice their insatiable appetite for thunder, attitude, and most of all, emotion.

With Kings of Leon’s latest Because of the Times, rock and roll is back, and might I add, with a vengeance. This album reminds the listener of everything that used to be good about rock and roll, and then some. Four relatives, three brothers and a cousin, all sharing not only the same last name (Followill) but their stage and their sound with brilliance and precision.
The album leads off with a seven minute masterpiece called “Knocked Up”, that shows just how fearless and cocky the band is in their immense growth. And from there, the journey begins. Track after track shines. Truly the group has taken influences from U2 to the Rolling Stones to the Doors and molded them all into their own unique flavor. The most forward sounding track is hands down “McFearless”, which finds drummer Nathan and lead guitarist Matthew simply showing off just how brilliantly their skills have developed. “Black Thumbnail” may be the catchiest song on the album, and when it hits full throttle, be ready to rock.

Maybe the most impressive part of this album is how confident Caleb sounds with his vocals. He has always been the cocky, glare-flashing frontman, but on Times he has truly developed into a singer as well, and one that’s not afraid to give some raw honest emotion. On “The Runner”, he shares a deeper side, one that has rarely come to the forefront in the past. “And it’s cold when you’re near/It’s cold when you’re nearing the bottom/Our time as we go/We know our times will change/I’ll talk to Jesus/Jesus everyday.”

“Fans” may very well be the best song the band has ever written, with a brilliant acoustic guitar line introduced at just the right point in the album and a lyrical masterpiece comparing their fame in England with virtual anonymity in the United States. The song almost mocks those in the U.S. that have yet to catch on, “All of London sing/Because England swings and they sure love the tales I bring/Those raining days aren’t so bad when you’re the king/The king they want to see.” Well, lads of Leon, get ready, because rock and rollers in America have been waiting for this album for 25+ years. I doubt things will be the same at home for very long.

Kings Of Leon - Fans

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Comments

3 Comments so far

  1. Matt on April 5, 2007 2:13 pm

    Ive heard a few tracks through the blogoshere and I can only repeat what the reviewer has stated: this album ROCKS!!! Did you see them on Letterman a week ago? What a tight band. They played “On Call” and it sounded even better live than album form. I cant say enough about these guys! If the U.S. had any sense at all they would be huge.

  2. Jus on April 5, 2007 5:55 pm

    I’ve listened to BOTT 100 times already. It is the best rock album of the last 10 years for sure, an absolute classic! Every song is brilliant and showcases just how far the band has come since the first record. A few years ago I’d never have thought I’d be saying it, but KOL are the best rock band on the planet right now. Saw them live in Austin a few weeks ago and blew my mind!

  3. På grund av tiden i Australien & vardagsmat « fancy claps! on April 12, 2007 12:59 pm

    […] Kings of Leon - Fans Shout Out Louds - Tonight I have to leave it + (remix) Kings of Leons nya album Because of the Times. (en glödlampa som spricker, pga. tiden? bra album i vilket fall som helst) […]

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