Kings of Leon

So this year two pretty major developments took place in Southern Indie Rock. Cult favorites My Morning Jacket and now Kings of Leon crossed over into the mainstream with their newest releases. But these albums are totally different and say a lot about the bands respectively.

I won't rehash my harsh criticism of the MMJ album, except to say that it was not consistent with their previous efforts - in any way, except their penchant for experimentation. It is a terrible album, but to their credit, they make some of it work very well live because they are a truly great band (see the recent Austin City Limits performance) .

This effort by KOL, on the other hand, is not experimental. It is growth. Think the difference between Death Cab's latest and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's latest (which was just experimental piffle). If you were around from the beginning with KOL and you did not see this coming, I'm sorry but you just weren't paying attention. With each album and successive tour this band has shown tremendous growth by expanding their sound, not changing it. The sonic elements that dominate this album are easily discernible in "Trani" from Youth and Young Manhood and others along the way. Will they make a more rocking record next? I hope so, but they deserved to make this album. And it stands on its own as a very solid, and at times, brilliant effort.

Sure, KOL could have made jingle jangle albums for a few more years. I would have bought them and I would have checked out their shows whenever they were in town. But from the beginning, like many of us I loved this band not just for what they were, but for what they could become. They continue to defy our expectations, in a good way. KOL is now a great band. Baby's all grown up, and I'm so proud.

This song is a plea from someone trapped beyond the past, calling closer.

A trembling and cascading marriage of words and music, truly beautiful are both, and never has a song been more defining as a reminder that there are those who are shaking the bars of invisible prisons and those listening to the rattling who are holding the keys. This is the embodiment of that longing to be free, that unconscious urging in all of us for something unseen, something lost in eternity, lost in a dream, but sung sweetly and heard clearly in this, The Kings of Leon: Closer.

let us out. and bring us closer...

Sin Cerely
~ D

In with the new fans and out with the old...

I don't care who likes change- this is definately not an album I can actually ENJOY cleaning my house to.

What a waste of an awesome voice... I loved the tennessee pervish twang of "the old Kings."

Kings of Leon is one of my favourite bands and I have grown to love their raw energy. This is a good album with a few excellent songs and a lot of mediocre ones. This is a totally different direction for the band and some may like that. It is way overproduced though, and somewhat contrived. I wish they wouldn't have sold out and just go back to what made them famous in the first place.

It took me a while to like Because of the Times. In fact I had to see KOL live in Birmingham last year to really give it a shot. Since it was so different from Youth and Young Manhood - my favorite album EVER! But the more I heard it the more it stuck to me. That's why when I got Only by the Night for my birthday, I decided I wouldn't judge it on the first listen. Though I'd heard Sex on Fire and Use Somebody on SNL, so that was out, I already liked the record. Having listened to it about a thousand times the past two weeks, I must say there are songs in there that give me goosebumps, not least of which Cold Dessert, which has such power and passion. The first time I blasted Use Somebody on the stereo I cried. Therefore, I must say this is KOL's most emotional work yet, which for some bands might mean sappy Air Supply crap, but not the Followills, whom I would consider incapable of bad music - at least we could hope.

This is the best album in the last year, maybe last two. Followill's voice is the most uniquely haunting sound ... I can't stop playing these tunes. There are half a dozen unforgettable cuts here; "Knocked Up" ranks with the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs' "Maps" as one of the best tracks of the decade. And I'm not some kid: at 44, I come out of a Lou Reed, Petty, Costello, Springsteen mold. This is good stuff.

All I can say is, wow. This is a phenomenal record and you're really missing out if you skip it. The last 3 songs alone are worth it even if "knocked up" doesn't put you in a trance; it's dang near hypnotic for me. Great stuff!!

Kings of Leon is a great, young, energetic band. They caught my attention with the first single On Call, which I find quite irresistible. The music on Because Of The Times has traces of artists such as Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Doors, but most importantly, Kings Of Leon have created a rather unique sound of their own.

The album plays with the your ear drums from the start. There are too many good things to say, so I will keep this very very short. I have been passionate about music my entire life. I even worked in the business for 4 years. I have had very few occurences where I was so swept away by the originality of an album. The Kings of Leon are not using wild new instruments, like homemade 3-string basses, but they are breaking rules. They are quickly moving into a class all by themselves, and their popularity (or lack thereof) in the United States shows how original they are.

I have listened to this album more than any other in the last year, that speaks for itself.

I maintain a collection of over 8,000 albums from every genre. This album is easily one of my most top 10 ten favorites of all time, and a must have. It's simple but highly effective in its purpose, it rocks. Enough said.

This album is awesome from the first song to the last. It is a complete work of art. These guys are super talented. Each time I listen to the album I hear something new and like it a little bit more. I have had it for over a year now and I'm still not tired of it.

This cd is great! Had one before, but got lost in the move or something. Came to Amazon to find it and I did for a fraction of the price. Mint condition and Excellent!

Ok, this being the second KOL release it has a lot to live up to. But it does so and admirably. KOL is one of the first bands in recent memory to have that "Southern sound" that is both fresh and place-centric. The first album was amazing even through its use of simple chords and straight forward arrangements. I loved it. Aha Shake Heartbreak still respects its Southern roots and rock and roll sensibility, but it is certainly more mature. Both musically and lyrically.
As an after-the-fact-review, I must admit I also own the third album and listen to it frequently. I like it, but not as much as the first two. If you are a fan (or perhaps even if not) get it too. But this is the best. I look forward to the next release and hope KOL keeps growing and putting out some of the best current American rock-and-roll.

I heard about Kings of Leon in 2004 when the single "The Bucket" was released. I have to admit I wasn't a fan at first, but the song grew on me and I decided to purchase the album. Each and every song on the album, but one, is absolutely terrific and demands repeat listens.

From the get go on "Slow Night, So Long" the musical creativity just flows from the speakers. The lyrics are not overly inspriring but still memorable enough to sing along with. The better songs on the album would have to be "Taper Jean Girl", "The Bucket" & "Pistol of Fire".

The reasoning that this album does not warrant the five star rating is due to one horrible song. The fifth track, "Milk" is absolutely treacherous. Absent is any real substance other than the occasional gallup drum and bass line that is rather subpar compared to the rest of the work. The vocal arrangement on the track is strained and is just plain wretched.

Other than one mishap on the recording, this is an album that many people will purchase and listen to hundreds, if not, thousands of times. The constant complaining about not being able to add it to an iPOD is absolute rubbish, as well. Anyone with a half-way decent opperating system and understands how to use it will have absolutely no problem adding. Purchase the album and add 11 of the best songs you'll ever listen to your iPOD today, you won't be disappointed.

SO glad I bought this. AC/DC meets the Avett Brothers. The universe's answer to Bon Scott's death by misadventure.

Sort of like binge-drinking with friends and staying up all night to see the sunrise, these songs evoke rare moments when the visceral absurdity of the world is illuminated with elegant, manic clarity.

Like Kurt Cobain, there are several moments where the singer is more interested in the sound of his throat cracking or shredding to pieces than forming neat and pretty words. Either you can surrender your ears to this sort of thing, or you like your songs a little more predictable and digestible.

KOL are all about FREEDOM, freedom from coherent speech, freedom from technical proficiency, freedom from standard song structure. Their songs are the musical equivalent of clips from David Lynch and Quentin Tarantino movies. And maybe a couple of Japanese Ninja movies.

But unlike any other garage/punk act out there today, their music has the pervasive underlying machismo and confidence of a legendary classic rock act. I guess it's a Southern thing that people from New York drown in neurosis to emulate.

To the untrained ear, these guys seem unschooled and musically naive and the songs seem basic, but these guys are geniuses when it comes to subtle tweaking of standard pop/rock arrangements. If you're a musician, you'll find several moments of saying "Oh, that's clever..."

Long story short; this isn't an AC/DC album, it's not a Modest Mouse album. It's definitely NOT a Strokes album.
If you're thinking about buying this cd, I promise Kings of Leon will change your life. They're HUGE in Europe, and they changed my perspective on this art form. They're one of THOSE bands.

do i really need to say anything more? One of my fav disks by one of my fav bands.

New different sound that picks up some great influences - Strokes meet the Velvet Underground meets the "I don't give a @#$% what you think of my music" creativity of Jeff Buckley.

These guys are an open channel and both albums are must haves. Listen over and over - you'll get it.

If you don't understand this band or Caleb's phrasing - you were probably one of the people who thought Jeff Buckley's Grace album was crap.

This is the band to watch for the next decade. Enjoy.

Very basic rock and roll. I get the impression that these guys barely know how to play their instruments, and their singing is not particularly "schooled" either.

If you're looking for some simple rock, with a touch of folk here and there, this might be for you. Sort of Bob Dylan meets The Strokes.

Some of the tunes are quite engaging. But on the whole, it all seems sort of trite.

This is the best album in the last year, maybe last two. Followill's voice is the most uniquely haunting sound ... I can't stop playing these tunes. There are half a dozen unforgettable cuts here; "Knocked Up" ranks with the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs' "Maps" as one of the best tracks of the decade. And I'm not some kid: at 44, I come out of a Lou Reed, Petty, Costello, Springsteen mold. This is good stuff.

All I can say is, wow. This is a phenomenal record and you're really missing out if you skip it. The last 3 songs alone are worth it even if "knocked up" doesn't put you in a trance; it's dang near hypnotic for me. Great stuff!!

Kings of Leon is a great, young, energetic band. They caught my attention with the first single On Call, which I find quite irresistible. The music on Because Of The Times has traces of artists such as Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Doors, but most importantly, Kings Of Leon have created a rather unique sound of their own.

The album plays with the your ear drums from the start. There are too many good things to say, so I will keep this very very short. I have been passionate about music my entire life. I even worked in the business for 4 years. I have had very few occurences where I was so swept away by the originality of an album. The Kings of Leon are not using wild new instruments, like homemade 3-string basses, but they are breaking rules. They are quickly moving into a class all by themselves, and their popularity (or lack thereof) in the United States shows how original they are.

I have listened to this album more than any other in the last year, that speaks for itself.

Kings of Leon are definately "original". I try to tell people that they sound like, and I can't finish the sentence. This album will withstand the test of time! Trust me!

Kings of Leon are amazing both of there albums are brilliant, when are they releasing a new album though?

So this year two pretty major developments took place in Southern Indie Rock. Cult favorites My Morning Jacket and now Kings of Leon crossed over into the mainstream with their newest releases. But these albums are totally different and say a lot about the bands respectively.

I won't rehash my harsh criticism of the MMJ album, except to say that it was not consistent with their previous efforts - in any way, except their penchant for experimentation. It is a terrible album, but to their credit, they make some of it work very well live because they are a truly great band (see the recent Austin City Limits performance) .

This effort by KOL, on the other hand, is not experimental. It is growth. Think the difference between Death Cab's latest and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's latest (which was just experimental piffle). If you were around from the beginning with KOL and you did not see this coming, I'm sorry but you just weren't paying attention. With each album and successive tour this band has shown tremendous growth by expanding their sound, not changing it. The sonic elements that dominate this album are easily discernible in "Trani" from Youth and Young Manhood and others along the way. Will they make a more rocking record next? I hope so, but they deserved to make this album. And it stands on its own as a very solid, and at times, brilliant effort.

Sure, KOL could have made jingle jangle albums for a few more years. I would have bought them and I would have checked out their shows whenever they were in town. But from the beginning, like many of us I loved this band not just for what they were, but for what they could become. They continue to defy our expectations, in a good way. KOL is now a great band. Baby's all grown up, and I'm so proud.

This song is a plea from someone trapped beyond the past, calling closer.

A trembling and cascading marriage of words and music, truly beautiful are both, and never has a song been more defining as a reminder that there are those who are shaking the bars of invisible prisons and those listening to the rattling who are holding the keys. This is the embodiment of that longing to be free, that unconscious urging in all of us for something unseen, something lost in eternity, lost in a dream, but sung sweetly and heard clearly in this, The Kings of Leon: Closer.

let us out. and bring us closer...

Sin Cerely
~ D

In with the new fans and out with the old...

I don't care who likes change- this is definately not an album I can actually ENJOY cleaning my house to.

What a waste of an awesome voice... I loved the tennessee pervish twang of "the old Kings."

Kings of Leon is one of my favourite bands and I have grown to love their raw energy. This is a good album with a few excellent songs and a lot of mediocre ones. This is a totally different direction for the band and some may like that. It is way overproduced though, and somewhat contrived. I wish they wouldn't have sold out and just go back to what made them famous in the first place.

It took me a while to like Because of the Times. In fact I had to see KOL live in Birmingham last year to really give it a shot. Since it was so different from Youth and Young Manhood - my favorite album EVER! But the more I heard it the more it stuck to me. That's why when I got Only by the Night for my birthday, I decided I wouldn't judge it on the first listen. Though I'd heard Sex on Fire and Use Somebody on SNL, so that was out, I already liked the record. Having listened to it about a thousand times the past two weeks, I must say there are songs in there that give me goosebumps, not least of which Cold Dessert, which has such power and passion. The first time I blasted Use Somebody on the stereo I cried. Therefore, I must say this is KOL's most emotional work yet, which for some bands might mean sappy Air Supply crap, but not the Followills, whom I would consider incapable of bad music - at least we could hope.

Let me say upfront that I am a huge Kings of Leon fan ever since the early days. I've got of course all three of their studio albums, but I was not aware of this release until I stumbled on this while shopping at my local independent CD store last week. I snapped this up instantly.

"Day Old Belgian Blues" (6 tracks, 21 min., released in 2006) is a live EP that was recorded in December, 2004 (in Brussels, Belgium--where I originally hail from, no less), just months before "Aha Shake Heartbreak" would be released. This EP contains four tracks from that album (Taper Jean Girl, The Bucket, Soft, and Four Kicks), which the band obviously was roadtesting at that time, and two from their debut album (their breakout song Molly's Chambers, and Trani). The band sounds great throughout. Not sure what the exact motivation is of this release, but I look at this EP as a nice little gift to KoL fans.

Since then, KoL has of course released their massive third album "Because of the Times" earlier this year, and in concert, the band has grown ever bigger in posture. I've seen KoL 3 times already this year, and they have elevated their live performances to newer, higher levels. If you have a chance to see them live, don't miss them. And this EP is a great teaser for a proper live album, which will follow for sure at some point.

I saw King Of Leon in September 2006. They played about 3-4 new songs, and they were all very promising. At first listen, the sound is obviously a little different than KOL's past endeavors, but they don't stray too far, and I have every confidence that it's going to be a great album. From what I've gathered, the new LP is being released in Spring '07 and will be titled Because of the Times.

The Kings are back, in '07, with their third album.

November 2006. After spending time earlier in the year opening for U2 & Bob Dylan, the Kings travel to Australia to do the same for Pearl Jam. I was there.

These November Australia shows, the Kings played a handful of 'new' songs. These tunes are OUTSTANDING! The wait for this album, will be well worth the time. These are songs, that, on first listen. You will be thinking to yourself, "Oh my...Oh my...I'm going to listen to this again...and again..."

This is a band, well on their way to becoming the greatest band in the world. Just imagine. In another 10..20 years, maybe the Rolling Stones will open for the Kings of Leon.

I do not own this product although I do have the Aha Shake Heartbreak Tour Edition which contains live tracks "Four Kicks", "Soft", "Molly's Chambers", "Taper Jean Girl" and "The Bucket", not my most favourite tracks but none the less fantastic.

I am writing this review to ask if any fellow customers have any information on when this fabulous band's third studio album will be realeased. If they could email me or write a response via a review on this page it would be greatly appreciated.

Also any kind of information on what the next album is going to be like would be fascinating. I have heard several rumours such as it is going to be called "Because of the Times". I have also heard that the band have written about seven tunes that they are recording right now and have several more in the can. Other rumours include that the album is going to be somewhat orchestral. I cannot contemplate how this band will approach that I don't think any of their songs could be described as orchestral that have been on the previous two albums.

I look forward to the release.

KOL are at their best live and this cd really proves it!
So until the new cd with new material arrives in '07 (patinece is NOT a virtue guys!) this will have to do!!!
it makes me want to run out and see them in some sweaty little club right now...