Posted on October 14, 2008 - by Jon
Kings of Leon – Only By The Night Review
I will have to admit, I was never a big Kings of Leon fan. I always knew about them and had even heard a number of their songs. But the interest waned from there, the point was that every time I heard them nothing made them memorable, not the vocals, the lyrics, or the music. Frankly, I was surprised that they weren’t forgotten sooner. However, on Only By The Night the Nashville quartet has gotten my undivided attention. If you enjoy catchy tunes, memorable “arena” sized rock hooks, atmospheric guitars then this is your album…..or if you enjoy a band whose music sounds like U2 if they grew up in Southern USA and abandoned their Christian Roots.
Kings of Leon - Only By The Night
Kings of Leon have definitely experienced an evolution to their sound as they come across more seasoned, more mature and infinitely more confident on their fourth album. This new found confidence begins and ends with the performance given by vocalist Caleb Followill. Caleb has finally found his identity as a vocalist and has no problem showing it on this album. He no longer garbles his words or relies on the bluesy rasp of his voice, he’s clearly at the forefront and he’s loud and clear. There’s a sincerity and passion in the vocals this time around. It’s something that I never expected from the Kings of Leon and its that they finally have…………soul. This can be seen from the opening track of “Closer” which features a solid melody and haunting atmospherics to “Sex on Fire”, the first single of the album, which will easily be one of the year’s best singles, to the latter half of the album including the nostalgic “I Want You”.
As for the rest of the band, they follow suite exuding the same confidence that their frontman has found. The guitars are loud and atmospheric, the drums are pounding, and the bass holds it all down and directs.
In conclusion, this was an album that came out of left field for me. I never expected to truly enjoy an album from this band. Lets say I clearly have enjoyed the surprise.
This album is easily one of my favorite albums of the year and possibly the best mainstream rock album of the year.
Rating: 9 / 10
Notable Tracks: Sex On Fire, Use Somebody, Closer
For Fans of: The Allman Brother’s Band, The Black Crowes, The Killers’ Sam’s Town, U2
Released on: September 23, 2008