Kings of Leon: Because of the Times
This record isn't Kings of Leon rehashing their previous efforts
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Monday, 02, Apr 2007 05:40
Sony BMG, April 2nd.
In a nutshell.
Mixed, mature, observant, experimental, bawling
What's it all about?
When Knocked Up opens Because of the Times, it becomes obvious this record isn't Kings of Leon rehashing their previous efforts with renewed southern vigour. It's longer for a start and Caleb Followill's voice is less night on the town, more angry sibling. The first track comes in at seven minutes ten and talks of pregnant women, long nights out and living crazy, all of which was touched upon in Aha Shake Heartbreak, but this time the Followills do it with a little more seriousness, even desperation.
Where the band's first was all catchy pop and screeching lyrics, Because of the Times picks up the pop hooks and adds more of the layers seen in Aha Shake. The pop is still there, like with My Party and the White Stripes-like Black Thumbnail, but its scruffier and more fulfilling. True Love Way is a great example of this, building on a catchy riff and showing Caleb's vocals to be rich and pure, rather then sketchy and excessive. Ragoo, the much tipped reggae number, is carried off to perfection and is like nothing the band has produced before.
Who's it by?
Kings of Leon appeared in 2003 with Youth and Young Manhood, a buzzing record with the singles Molly's Chambers, California Waiting and Red Morning Light, plus the surreal, but genius Trani.
This was followed by 2004's Aha Shake Heartbreak, widely lauded as a step up at the time, but now looked back on as a missed chance. The album soared at times with tracks like King of the Rodeo, Milk, The Bucket and Four Kicks.
Aside from the music, a cloud of questions and conundrums surrounds the band, usually involving other songwriters and their preacher father. The Kings are clear about these ambiguities; the songs are theirs and their father was a preacher in the south which gave them an interesting upbringing. Because of the Times is the band's third album.
As an example.
"My cocky look emerges when you question my moves/ Because you ain't got no taste/ You're talking about my baby/ I could flip you upside down and I could mop this place." - My Party
"I'll still be running from the demon in my head/ I'll be that person till my dying day/ I try so awful hard but I can't change." - Black Thumbnail
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
The Kings are admired from afar, so probably not.
What the others say
"As is stands, Because of the Times cements Kings of Leon as one of the great American bands of our times. It's good to have them back." - NME
"If you like your Americana raw and passionate, look no further." - The Guardian
So is it any good?
Because of the Times has done exactly what First Impressions of Earth did for the Strokes: it's shown that this band is capable of more than it has so far shown and it can lay it down as and when.
It's often easy to criticise a band for doing what they do well and not changing their sound. Little innovation no doubt can lead to stagnation, but it could be argued that to jump on the Kings of Leon for being dull on their last record was a little ridiculous. This will certainly silence any premature critics and provides an absolute treat for the band's fans.
This record sounds like the fruits of many months' labour, strung together through a constant theme of maturity and serious rock 'n' roll. Trunk brings the pace of the album back a few notches and sings "what she's got - hell I want" in a dark tone. On Call, the first single to be lifted from this record, is an upbeat stomper keeping up with the standard set by the band's earlier singles.
The Kings' talent for putting together a good melody is still there and this time the riffs are slightly more complicated and adventurous. Take Camaro, which could pass for Led Zep on the radio. It's a fun guitar blast, with simple lyrics and stylish playing. My Party, Ragoo and Charmer are perhaps the closet to the first album's pop elements, which isn't anything to bemoan.
Overall Because of the Times is a good mix, a delightful record which offers more to discover than the first two but asserts the same key point: Kings of Leon are a great band.
8/10
Karl Pike