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Featuring 5 CDs and a live concert DVD, the band's new box set is available to order now for a great price. Learn more |
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Aha Shake Heartbreak may have blown open the doors of fame for Kings of Leon, but their third full-length album (named for a United Pentecostal Church ministers' conference) could well usher the Nashville foursome directly to rock and roll's zenith. There's hardly a change in plans for the three Followill brothers and their cousin, and that means producer Ethan Johns, a smorgasbord of musical influences, and a cacophonous ensemble of guitar, bass, and drums. A trio of relentless rockers--"My Party," "Camaro," and the sarcastic "Charmer"--are sure to pacify those familiar with the Kings' blueprint, yet there is ripening in the band's approach heard, in several of the record's 13 songs. Reverb guitar and vocals and a "woo woo" chorus add a sinister aspect to "Trunk," and "Knocked Up" features a laissez-faire Caleb Followill crooning "She don't care what her mama said/She's gonna have my baby." The seven-minute revelation of fatherhood that opens the album leads into the U2-influenced "McFearless," a reggae-splashed "Ragoo," and the rambling English blues of "Black Thumbnail." It's a rogue element that has always left every record fresh, and this time it has Kings of Leon teetering on the edge of rock renown. --Scott Holter
Product Description
Third album from the rockin' American quartet whose previous albums (2003's Youth And Young Manhood and Aha Shake Heartbreak from '05) have earned them a large worldwide following. Consisting of three brothers and a cousin, the Kings Of Leon mix their own brand of Southern Rock with touches of Garage, Punk and Alternative swagger. RCA.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
....this is the finest work this young band has released to date. Many fans are still confounded by the new direction and richer, heavier sound of this LP, but before you cry fowl, listen. I mean really LISTEN. The Kings have improved thier chops and arranging so vastly that they scarcely sound like the same band that made "Youth & Young Manhood" and that's a good thing, it's called growth. Listen to the newfound confidence in Caleb's voice on the first single, the gorgeous "On Call" or his parched yelp before every verse on "Charmer", or what an airtight rhythm section Nathan and Jared have become on barnburners like "Mc Fearless" and "Black Thumbnail". Witness Matthew's spacey guitar atmospherics on the opener "Knocked Up" and tell me you aren't impressed with the simple beauty of it. This LP may take a few spins to soak in for some listeners but instead of comparing it to the last 2 releases, spend some quality time with..."Times" and spin in repeatedly, back to back about 6 times and the beautiful clattering will unfold and bless your ears like never before.
26 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It takes balls to start out your third album, which is anticipated to become your true commercial breakout, with a seven minute meditation on impending fatherhood with the delightfully tacky title "Knocked Up." So much for anyone daring to think Kings Of Leon have sold out for commercial success. They may get it anyway.
The band can play and the arrangements show off their strengths despite some fairly oridinary songwriting. The basslines on "Knocked Up" and "On Call," the wall of sound buzzing guitars on the distinctive "McFearless," "Black Thumbnail" which rocks out on the edge of chaos but holds it together, the mix of electric and acoustic guitar on "Fans" and the chiming guitars on the ska-influenced "Ragoo" all show Kings Of Leon at their best. But "True Love Way" and "Trunk" go nowhere and "Camaro" is a rocker any band could have done.
Still it's nice to find a band that is as hard to pigeonhole as Kings Of Leon. They are edging towards stardom on the strength of the things they do best and not because some tastemaker has declared them flavor of the week. Just like bands used to have to do before MTV. When it comes, they can say "We earned it."
The band can play and the arrangements show off their strengths despite some fairly oridinary songwriting. The basslines on "Knocked Up" and "On Call," the wall of sound buzzing guitars on the distinctive "McFearless," "Black Thumbnail" which rocks out on the edge of chaos but holds it together, the mix of electric and acoustic guitar on "Fans" and the chiming guitars on the ska-influenced "Ragoo" all show Kings Of Leon at their best. But "True Love Way" and "Trunk" go nowhere and "Camaro" is a rocker any band could have done.
Still it's nice to find a band that is as hard to pigeonhole as Kings Of Leon. They are edging towards stardom on the strength of the things they do best and not because some tastemaker has declared them flavor of the week. Just like bands used to have to do before MTV. When it comes, they can say "We earned it."
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Bob
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
A couple of disclaimers:
1. I have not followed Kings of Leon but am familiar with their more popular stuff. I bought this as a starting point to explore the music.
2. I'm over 50 (just barely).
I enjoyed roughly half the music on this CD. The other half I found to be noisy, inaccessible, and at times annoying.
1. I have not followed Kings of Leon but am familiar with their more popular stuff. I bought this as a starting point to explore the music.
2. I'm over 50 (just barely).
I enjoyed roughly half the music on this CD. The other half I found to be noisy, inaccessible, and at times annoying.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Big KOL fan!
I recently began to listen to Kings of Leon songs beyond the ones on the radio, and couldn't get enough. Each CD is a little different, but I thoroughly enjoy them all!!
Published 1 month ago by Jason Korn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great cd
These guys are clearly family - the intricacies of their playing by HEARING each other is very apparent - they almost anticipate what the other is going to do. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Marc Whitten
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Whole is Greater than the Sum
Kings of Leon is a perfect example of the theory that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Read more
Published 3 months ago by John S. Harris
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quick Arrival
Purachased as a gift. Arrived quickly and traveled long distance well. Receiver loved the gift. Great gift for the price.
Published 3 months ago by Bethany Hessel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ingrained in my memory
I have listened to this CD over and over every night and have not got tired of the tracks. I have bought all of the Kings of Leon albums and this is the best of them all.
Published 6 months ago by Tuan Nguyen
5.0 out of 5 stars
This IS my fav album of all time!!
I never thought I'd ever say that one album can be my favorite out of all the albums I have owned and listened to with the exception of any of my Michael Jackson albums. . .. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Sony
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kings of Leon-Because of the Times
Great album. Songs 1,5, and 6 are killer. If you are a kings of leon fan I would highly recommend picking up this album. Read more
Published 14 months ago by M. Stockton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great album
This is definetly a great album by the Kings. It has really good tracks, such as On Call, McFearless and Charmer. A must have for the fans.
Published 17 months ago by Nanda_Eirao
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bought it on Vinyl
As far as the sound, KoL is great. I love this album. However, I was slightly disappointed with the vinyl pressing. Read more
Published on February 25, 2011 by Andrew J. King
5.0 out of 5 stars
Because of the Times
'Because Of The Times' is the excellent third album from KOL and boy is it another stormer. The sound is slightly heavier than the first two albums, but it is a great development... Read more
Published on February 13, 2011 by Spider Monkey
