Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Everything I've Wanted...and more, April 17, 2005
I was recommended this album back in May of 2003 by a cd store owner who asked me what I liked to listen to. He hit the nail on the head for sure. The Kings of Leon are a band that FINALLY manages to reinstate some hope in me for the future of rock and roll.
Don't listen to people when they say these guys are "steeped in southern rock" - these kids grew up not being permitted to listen to any kind of rock music. They didn't even know who Lynard Skynard WAS until people started telling them "uh...you kinda sound like them." Their music, interestingly enough, IS somewhat reminiscent of roadtripping through Tennessee, pounding back Coors Original and making out with strangers in sleazy off-highway motels. But it's more than that.
Their songs are melodic, thoughtful, heart-felt and honest, and for a band that has little experience being an actual band and even less at making out with strange dirty-girls, these guys manage to create music that surpasses many groups that have been trying for years. "The Southern Strokes"? Nah, not even close. A band like the Strokes has too much hipster attitude that it overshadows any attempt at writing good music they make. The Kings of Leon...they probably only recently learned what the word "hipster" even means.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Debut EP w/ a couple tracks not on the LP, March 15, 2005
The sure sign of a lousy review is when the reviewer uses another band as an adjective. "The Southern Strokes," "Lynyrd Floyd," etc...what the hell does that stuff mean exactly?
The Strokes comparisons are ridiculous. Why? Because the lead singer's voice is sometimes impossible to understand? The music isn't alike by any stretch, so what could people be comparing? The Strokes guitarists are phenomenal and have been playing for quite a while - jagged, angular guitar lines and lots of interesting rhythms and meloides. The KOL are much more basic, having only been playing for a year at the time this EP was released. I'm not saying one is better or more respectable than the other...just different.
Back to the review...KOL are steeped in southern music, and this EP is a great example. Most great Southern Rock groups rely on good ol' Blues-based guitar licks, but KOL one-up that tried and tested formula with some guitar that could almost qualify as "punk."
Two tracks here do not appear on the Youth & Young Manhood LP. This version of California Waiting was recorded in a 5 day rush that the band were not happy with. The LP version is different and sounds much better to my ears. Wicker Chair also does not appear on the LP.
If you are going to get this EP, get it AFTER you get the "Youth & Young Manhood" LP. Excellent bonus material.
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11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Start, June 2, 2005
This is KOL's first release. It includes a different version of California Waiting from what was later released on their 1st album. It also includes Wicker Chair, which as been released on a number of CD Singles (and a Japanese album) but remains unreleased on any other album.
Because you either adore or detest the Kings of Leon, and because the band has not only made it but is obviously going to be a major voice in rock, I see no point in the host of reviews that are either cheerleading or dissing them. I've not seen a band generate so much love/hate since the Stones broke in way back in 1964 (and I'm old enough to remember that very clearly).
Personally, I'm convinced KOL will be one of the greatest bands ever (and I can count the number of bands I've said that about over the last 40 years on one hand)....and yes, I've seen them live more than once.
For those of you who don't want to miss a moment of the bliss as it arrives, here is a comprehensive list of what KOL has released. Here is a key to the notations so you won't miss any of their releases:
* tracks that have not been released on albums
# different version
@ live track
$ video
Holy Roller Novocaine - EP (2003 Feb 18)
Molly's Chambers
Wasted Time
# California Waiting (different version from Youth & Young Manhood LP)
* Wicker Chair
Holy Roller Novocaine
Molly's Chambers - UK Import (2003 Sep 23)
Molly's Chambers
@ Wasted Time (Live)
@ Spiral Staircase (Live)
Red Morning Light - Import (2003 Jul 15)
Red Morning Light
* Wicker Chair
Talihina Sky
Molly's Chambers - Import (2003 Oct 27)
Molly's Chambers
@ Molly's Chambers (Live at Birmingham Academy)
@ Red Morning Light (Live at Birmingham Academy)
Wasted Time - EP Import (2003 Nov 25)
Wasted Time
* Mollys Hangover (Previously Unreleased)
@ Joes Head (Live From LA)
$ Wasted Time (Enhanced Video)
Youth & Young Manhood - LP (2003 Aug 19)
Red Morning Light
Happy Alone
Wasted Time
Joe's Head
Trani
California Waiting
Spiral Staircase
Molly's Chambers
Genius
Dusty
Holy Roller Novocaine
Talihina Sky (hidden track 8 min after end of last track)
California Waiting (2004 Mar 4)
California Waiting
@ Joe's Head (Live at Brixton Academy)
The Bucket - UK Import (2004 October 25)
Bucket
* Where Nobody Knows
The Bucket Part 1 - German Import (2004 Dec 14)
Bucket
Slow Night, So Long
* Wicker Chair
The Bucket Part 2 - German Import (2005 Jan 18)
Bucket
* Where Nobody Knows
Youth & Young Manhood - Japanese Import LP (2005 Feb 1)
Red Morning Light
Happy Alone
Wasted Time
Joe's Head
Trani
California Waiting
Spiral Staircase
Molly's Chambers
Genius
Dusty
Holy Roller Novocaine
* Wicker Chair
Aha Shake Heartbreak - Japanese LP (2005 Feb 1)
Slow Night, So Long
King Of The Rodeo
Taper Jean Girl
Pistol Of Fire
Milk
Bucket
Soft
Razz
Day Old Blues
Four Kicks
Velvet Snow
Rememo
* Where Nobody Knows
Aha Shake Heartbreak - LP (2005 Feb 22)
Slow Night, So Long
King Of The Rodeo
Taper Jean Girl
Pistol Of Fire
Milk
Bucket
Soft
Razz
Day Old Blues
Four Kicks
Velvet Snow
Rememo
4 Kicks - Import (2005 Mar 1)
4 Kicks
* Head To Toe
King Of The Rodeo - Import (2005 May 24)
King of the Rodeo
@ Taper Jean Girl (Live in Belgium)
@ Molly's Chambers (Live in Belgium)
$ King of the Rodeo (Video)
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