Kings Of Leon - Because The Times
By: Dan MacIntosh |
Tuesday April 17, 2007 |
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Genrerock PublisherRCA Records External Links |
The hype sword swings both ways. It can turn you onto a band before the masses engulf it, or turn your heart against a much-buzzed about group forever, and sometimes without a justifiable reason. Kings Of Leon is a group that was sliced nearly beyond all recognition (in my eyes, at least) before I could truly appreciate it. And that's a bloody shame because I was wrong to write them off so quickly. These Kings deserve the throne I cruelly denied them originally.
The ominous drum/bass thump, along with chiming electric guitar notes that introduce opener "Knocked Up" announce Because Of The Times as something truly special. The lyric, about a boy and his pregnant girl on the run from judging eyes, gained my immediate empathy. "Always mad and usually drunk/But I lover her like no other," vocalist Caleb Followill admits. And you feel for him because he just can't help himself. Damn love!
You get the feeling Caleb must have nightmares about leaving a trail of single mothers behind him while on the road. "Charmer" describes a girl that will not take her eyes off him and "On Call" is all about a booty call. But Caleb also has lust issues of his own, illustrated by his physical feelings for the girl who looks so cool in her new car, the aptly titled "Camaro."
Kings Of Leon songs often race to off kilter rhythms, which brought it initial comparisons to The Strokes. But the group is at its best whenever it lets natural grooves set in, such as with "My Party" where it gets into a funky, soulful vibe, not unlike latter period The Jam.
If hype still stands between you and loving Kings Of Leon, please lay down the sword. Make peace with this fine young band.
Kings of Leon - "On Call" Video:
