The first few songs on the third album from neo-Southern rockers Kings of Leon don't sound like Kings of Leon songs at all. "Because of the Times" is, in fact, the sound of a band finally making a go out of it instead of taking the easy road.
The group may lose some longtime fans accustomed to the Kings' warbly rock, but they'll inevitably gain converts with songs that earn comparisons to greats, like the Pixies ("Charmer" may as well be called "Debaser 2.0") and neo-greats, like My Morning Jacket (the raunchy, extended album-opener "Knocked Up").
Even better, the album actually picks up in the second half: The stomper "Fans" carries itself on a disco beat and funk-rock bass line worthy of Supertramp, and the sturdy classic-rock solos on "Camero" will sound bitchin' blasting out of sunroofs this summer.
Kings of Leon might not be strictly Southern anymore, but with "Because of the Times," they're something far more important: engaging and consistent.
What other people are saying...
ML Koko from west suburbs - January 24, 2009 at 9:45 AM
Kings of of Leon have been sitting in the mainstream periphery for sometime now. You may have heard them before and thought "wow!" then they disap...
More...
Report This Comment