Kings of Leon - Because of the Times
(2007)

Review by Sean Lynch

I can vividly recall the first time I heard Kings of Leon. It was whilst driving down a rather scary dirt road in the deep end of Hurstbridge. My girlfriend was trying to keep her red 1981 shit box from veering into a gum tree, while trying to convince me that the whiny out-of-tune voice blaring from the speakers was "The Shit and A Bit".

And, sadly, I thought it was just "Shit". In fact, it took me a good few weeks to finally realise that the vocals blaring from the speakers weren't this bands greatest let-down, but were in reality, it's strongest asset.

US pretty boys, Kings of Leon (who, thankfully, are headlining at this years Falls Festival), have come along way in a very short space of time. From home-schooled sons of preachers, to the must have "Indie Support Act" for some of the biggest names in the biz, to fully fledged Rock God contenders - these guys have been on the journey most of us dream about.

While their debut album "Youth & Young Manhood" hit the ground running, it was their superb sophomore effort of "Aha Shake Heartbreak" which well and truly shot them into the limelight.

Short, sharp, edgy blues rock tunes churned out with individuality. And, by gum, it was a near flawless rock record.

So I was somewhat hesitant approaching their latest LP "Because of the Times" amid reading interviews with lead man Caleb Followil claiming the band was ready to "Explore new territory" - which we all know can pretty much be the nail in the coffin for your most beloved band.

"Because of the Times" opens with the near 7 minute Knocked Up. Evolution of a great band or self indulgent tripe? Look, it's pretty darn good - but it lacked the killer licks that you usually associate with the KoL boys.

However, what follows is one of the most enjoyable, mature and progressive Blues/Rock albums I've heard in some time.

Gone is the whiny "Put-On" vocals of Caleb, as he explores his own voice, vocal effects and a lyrical prowess which was somewhat absent through their previous endevours.

On Call is without doubt one of the coolest tracks on here, quietly rock - yet strangely epic - and is destined to be a live show favourite. True Love Way and My Party are superb, while The Runner keeps things ticking along pretty nicely.

There is a certain level of adjusting to the slower, drawn out and less 'heavy on the riff' tracks - but the more you listen to it, the richer the musical experience becomes.

It's rare that a band band can produce more than one classic album, two is even rarer - but when a third album is produced with just as much flair and quality as it's predecessors, you can pretty much guarantee that you are living in an era of one of the great bands of the decade.

RATING: 4 out of 5