Customer Reviews

Youth & Young Manhood

5 star:		(71)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

Occasionally the critical buzz surrounding a band's big-time debut turns out to be more than justified, and I'm pleased to report that "Youth & Young Manhood" is one such release. It's rare for music this direct and free of embellishment to leave such an impression, but Kings of Leon pull off the trick quite easily because they manage to combine an abundance of emotion and songcraft with a complete lack of pretension. In fact, while Kings of Leon have somehow managed to draw some comparisons with the Strokes, the Strokes could take a few lessons from these guys. Instead of retro urban cool, the Kings offer a booze-fuelled good time, equal parts rootsy and rocking, that should have plenty of appeal for rock fans seeking a legitimate alternative to the prevailing trends of the day.

While I didn't hear any echoes of the Strokes here, that's not to say these guys don't remind me of anyone else, but you have to reach back a little further in rock history to find some parallels. If anything, their occasionally incendiary, slapped-together, southern-accented sound makes me think of the Replacements or Dinosaur Jr. cross-bred with Creedence Clearwater Revival. The Kings specialize in uptempo rockers filled with screaming guitars and hard-driving rhythms, topped off by the garbled drawl of singer Caleb Followill. Showing a grasp of dynamics to rival the mighty Pixies, the songs often pick up steam early on before shifting into overdrive for some of the most insanely catchy choruses in recent memory. And the guitar solos are models of efficiency, accomplishing more in a few seconds than you might think possible.

Although "Youth & Young Manhood" isn't among the most original albums I've heard (of course, it's important to note that these guys are only in their early 20's), it still gets a high recommendation from me for sheer enjoyment, which is something that seems to be in increasingly short supply these days. In fact, there isn't one track here that fails to impress. The best song, "Joe's Head," is propelled at its outset by a pounding bassline that's sure to get your head bobbing before some crazed riffage breaks out and Caleb starts spitting forth lyrics machine-gun style. There are plenty of other classics in a similar vein, from the raucous "Red Morning Light" to the swaggering "Molly's Chambers" to the dirty, bluesy "Holy Roller Novocaine." And the guys also slow things down for their own versions of ballads with the slow, twangy "Trani" and "Dusty," which are all lazy charm and no wasted moments.

In the end, "Youth & Young Manhood" serves as a resounding confirmation of what a solid, no b.s. rock album can achieve. I'm typically a little wary of bands that get a big buildup in the press while they're still young enough to get carded buying cigarettes, but Kings of Leon deserve all the praise they get. Hopefully, they'll remain a source of good music for a long time to come.

I disagree with the reviewer from Colorado who gave this band one star. Like that reviewer, I too saw Kings of Leon open for U2 last week, and they were amazing. Their music is dizzying, exhilarating, and sometimes even heartbreaking. After the U2 concert, I bought KOL's recent "Aha Shake Heartbreak" and 2003's "Holy Roller Novocaine" (which features several of the songs on "Youth and Young Manhood"). I have been listening to both albums nonstop. This band perfectly embodies the crazy, anarchic, Dada spirit of rock that makes it worth listening to in the first place. They the real deal. Wait and see...

Kings of leon are a southern band who play country and
blues style rock 'n roll with punk overtones. You've
probably heard about their background already so I won't
get into that. The LPs opener, Talahina Sky, is a slow
bluesy tune, but after that comes the fantastic Red Morning
Light, a fast more punky tune. The albums tone changes
but still it all gels together. California Waitin' edges
towards The Strokes, Mollys Chambers is the most poppyish
they get but its still great of course, Joe's Head (the
highlight for me) would make Bob Dylan proud and then there
are plenty more upbeat rawkers like Wasted Time, Happy Alone
and Holy Roller Novocaine. If you're into the whole 'garage scene'you'll probably like it but remember its best for true
rock 'n roll fans. A great record.

Amazing! These boys ROCK! It is hard to believe how young they are and when you consider their sheltered upbringing with Preacher Pa it is all the more amazing what they have accomplished in 2 years' time. This record is fabulous and the follow-up, Aha Shake Heartbreak is even better! They are both must haves. As an "older" fan from the early '80s REM Athens Ga era, I have seen and heard a lot of bands and it has been a long time since I have been this excited over anyone!

I've been waiting for an album like this!!!!
Great from start to end.
This is good music clearly influenced by Zeppelin, Skynyrd and other great bands...
This guys deserve more recognition, it's a shame that teenagers rather listen to maroon 5, Ashey Simpson, britney and the rest of plastic unworthy music instead of this.
keep on rocking Kings!!!

Kings of Leon - Good old southern boy's from the home of porn - a delightful deluge of cross dressing, easy women and yarns from the murky subculture of their transient youth. So the obvious question in this day and age to ask is who are they ripping off? Lynard Skynard? Yes a little. Credence Clearwater? Yes a touch here and there, there's also a touch of the Velvet underground in the subject matter but they swagger with an exuberance and an effervescence that makes this a refreshing and vital recording. I can sense the sniggers, the chuckle as you point out the obvious clichéd reference points. But that just goes to prove even further what a triumph this debut album is, so here comes another cliché 'better to have people talking about you (good or bad) than not talking about you at all, ahhhhhh, yes, the kings are in the spotlight, they are again being lauded by the fickle music press you say and next month it'll be the hiss, or the rapture, or some other band named after a forgotten part of the human anatomy. Yes, a highly likely assessment but forget all that and just listen to the music. I then challenge you not to break out in an all over, foot stomping smile, that has you coming back for more and more of the same. In all their seedy glorious moment the Kings of Leon are just trying to get out, and get on, don't deny them their story. Those who thought American youth was all about sports jackets, candy floss, cheese burgers, red convertibles, Budweiser, coca-cola, Florida, Venice beach, surfing, Molly Ringwald, the Yankees, Joe Montana, cheer leaders and thickshakes - well think again. Like a David Lynch movie these guy's allow you to take a peek behind the glossy post cards and cheap 'college style' movies to a much different world populated by perverts, paedophile priests and drunken louts. It won't be to everyone's liking but hey, by the bands own admission 'we just tell it how it is'.

Take opening track 'Red morning light' it sets the scene and provides the tempo for what is about to follow "hey hey another dirty bird giving out a taste" sings Caleb. Then there's 'Joe's Head' where the protagonist murders the guy who's shagging his wife. Then murders his wife. Then has a fag afterwards to celebrate. 'Happy Alone' where you'll find Caleb at the local whorehouse "prancing around in my high heels/And your cherry red lipstick". Then there's the sleazy 'tranny' - it involves Caleb doing coke, "cheap trick hookers" and being "tied to a chair" - but then how could any song titled simply 'tranny' be anything other than brilliant - it's also the greatest song about cross-dressing since Lou Reed sung 'Take a walk on the wild side'.

It's been a while since such a remarkably fresh and unconscious album was released on the general public in such an unassuming way. 'Youth and Young manhood' is quite an achievment. It is one of the debut album since 'definitley maybe' and is odds on for album of the year. Ignore the hype that surronds them and enjoy the moment - they are, in the immortal words of Noel Gallagher "My new favourite f*****g band".

I bought the follow-up, "Aha-Shake Heartbreak" (great album) before this, which is a common mistake I make; buying the sophomores before the debuts often makes you think less of the band, on account of the "sophomore slump." Because of this, I was worried that I might be expecting something different of the album, and that I might be disappointed.
I wasn't. Youth And Young Manhood is every bit as good as the follow-up, meaning that these guys generally produce solid material. Now I can safely say that I love these guys.
If you're new to the sound, and you're reading the reviews before you buy the album, READ THIS: The Kings Of Leon do sound a little like the Strokes, but neither of the Kings' albums have been as repetitive or "samey" as the Strokes' work. Instead of echoing one band wholesale (in the Strokes' case, Television), the Kings attempt to fuse the best elements of old fashion southern rock with the quicker pace and the anger of punk, and add in the muffled, world-weary drawl of Caleb Followill, who, I think, sounds a WHOLE LOT like Anthony Kiedis from The Red Hot Chili Peppers, if he had a Southern accent.
Having heard the second album before writing this, I can make one comparison: Youth is a bit more repetitive than Aha Shake Heartbreak. The songs sound a bit more forced. Those who've heard both know what I mean. Still, this doesn't take away from the album at all; it has an undeniable appeal that's worthy of repeated listens - this is the appeal that makes most great albums great.
There are no standouts on this album, I must admit. However, this is not a bad thing; it merely means that there is no song that requires skipping! It's an album that you can listen to the whole way through, and that's a rarity.
My favorite song, though, is "Molly's Chambers," which is a song that's been heard on a few car commercials lately (you know the one with the couple jumping up and down and dancing to the sound of their boom-box?)
All in all, I would definitely recommend this album to any lover of hard rock, classic rock, and who knows, it might even appeal to those TRL watchers who're into pop-punk, for they share the same angst.
If you don't like this, then it's ok, for music is a subjective thing. Some people don't like albums that others consider classics! But if you DO like it, which isn't hard to do, then pick up Aha Shake Heartbreak, as well, for a taste of the band's steps towards evolution.
Another reviewer, one Ada, from MI, United States, said that the Kings Of Leon could be the next great band. I, for one, would agree.

Kings of Leon is a very talented band that deserves more respect than they are getting. They are bringing southern rock back to the charts with their original sound. Lynard skynyrd they are not, but they do not have to be, they have this sound that gets under your skin and you cannot stop yourself from wanting to sing. Buy this album and you will be pleasantly surprised.

This album is possibly the best debut ever - while the Kings Of Leon sound almost classic, and their older influences can be easily heard, Youth And Young Manhood still manages to sound fresh, new and modern. Stand out tracks are 'California Waiting', 'Mollys Chambers' and 'Genius'. However, the rest of the album is just as good, and even the bonus track, 'Talihina Sky' (fast forward the last track) is brilliant. Infact, it is also one of the best on the album, with beatiful piano and lyrics to accompany. The solo's are also awesome, and the riffs suprisingly catchy. If anything, I think 'Wasted Time' is the one weak point on the album - but then again a lot of people like this the best. Buy this album if you like feel good, upbeat rock mixed with serious.. ballads, almost. Be warned, however, that the UK version is definitley copy protected - although I'm not sure about others.

In conclusion - an amazingly good album.

The Kings of Leon are the return of rock and roll. No band has rocked so hard and well on a debut like this in a long, long time.

The Kings of Leon loudly proclaim the return of southern rock and do it insanely well. This album really is better than most give it credit for. It's not just a really good album, it's an incredible album. The only credible knock on this album I've heard thus far is the lead singer's voice. I love it, some hate it. It's just one of thsoe things. He all but completely yells his voice out on track 5, "Trani." As I said, I love it, others will hate it.

Regaurdless of whether or not you like his voice, by the time you've gotten to "Holy Roller Novocaine," you become so engrossed in the music that you don't notice there's no more songs after that. This is the kind of great rock music that seems to be missing from the world today. Easily one of the best of 2003 and the best debut of 2003. Expect more from these guys for quite some time.