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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
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
Review
With the charts re-vitalised by the amateurish din of 'hot new talent', now seems a suitably off-kilter time for elder statesmen, Kings Of Leon, to rock up with a difficult-to-digest third album.
2003's snackable debut Youth And Young Manhood saw the Kings marking their distinctive Deep South corner in a room of Strokes-style screechy instant hitters. 2005's Aha Shake Heartbreak came with a moodier, eclectic frame of reference.
Because Of The Times is an ever more ambitious affair - and it states it from the outset with 7 minute epic ''Knocked Up'' (their first ever song to run over 5 minutes).
Announcing itself with a stark, stripped riff that echoes the bleak intro to U2's With Or Without You, it racks up the pace with the defiant refrain ''I don't care what nobody says / We're gonna have a baby'' - and it's utterly captivating.
However track two, the Pixies-esque bass 'n squeal assault of Charmer, forces the range of this album wide open - it's expertly navigated by Caleb Followhill's voice. By turns glass-shattering and heart-breaking it brings a unique tone to tales of bad behaviour and true love.
The album's title refers to an annual preachers' conference the boys attended in their youth, and the hick-chic Followhill family are proof that the bible belt can yield a disarming emotional literacy. Current single, On Call is an ode to selfless devotion, with the haunting and hollow eloquence of its refrain: ''When you fall to pieces / I'll come a-runnin''' . Throughout the album there's a running battle between an appetite for destruction and hopeless romanticism. The Runner is Johnny Cash embroiled in a troubled face-off between faith and hellraising - concluding that ''I talk to Jesus / Jesus says I'm OK''.
It's this clever-with-a-kick attitude that will quite possibly deny commercial success beyond mid-teen chart positions. This new sound is simply too evolved for the 'first album' frenzy that renders the likes of The Fratellis and The Gossip so forgettably catchy.
Because Of the Times offers no gloss with its guitars - theirs is a tale of sordid affairs rather than cheap thrills; but ones you'll never forget. --Sophie Hammer
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I'm a big KoL fan and I had been waiting or this album for a long time. In my opinion, it's certainly a progression from the previous two albums - more mature with more going on musically. So much so, that there is a lot to take in on the first listen, i'd argue. I recommend listening to it again either immediately or a little later and the really album comes to life.
The overall sound is quite different to Y&YM and ASH, which were more striped down in comparison. This album, to me at least, has somewhat of an 80s vibe to it. Not the bad stuff, rather all the decent guitar bands of the era. "Charmer" for example, sounds remarkably like something off of Pixies' "Sufer Rosa" or "Doolittle" albums, it's uncanny, complete with screams, repetitive bassline, distorted guitar chords and leads. "McFearless" reminds me of early U2 material. "Black Thumbnail" opens with a more familiar KoL sound but soon rocks out hard, when they step on the gas. Incidentally, the heavy parts on this album really are a lot heavier and fuller than on previous albums and will certainly get you moving.
[...]
The overall sound is quite different to Y&YM and ASH, which were more striped down in comparison. This album, to me at least, has somewhat of an 80s vibe to it. Not the bad stuff, rather all the decent guitar bands of the era. "Charmer" for example, sounds remarkably like something off of Pixies' "Sufer Rosa" or "Doolittle" albums, it's uncanny, complete with screams, repetitive bassline, distorted guitar chords and leads. "McFearless" reminds me of early U2 material. "Black Thumbnail" opens with a more familiar KoL sound but soon rocks out hard, when they step on the gas. Incidentally, the heavy parts on this album really are a lot heavier and fuller than on previous albums and will certainly get you moving.
[...]
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
When I first got my ears around this album I knew it was something special. Showcasing a bundle of brilliant new tracks Because of These Times proves that the band is really coming of age. Caleb is back as good as ever with his quirky lyrics and unique squeely voice and the guitar work is fresh with plenty of southern-fried riffs and vibrant hooks that will get inside your brain and have you whistling away after a few listens.
By now you may have heard the advanced single 'On Call' and initially thought hmmm this isn't the familiar old KOL sound that I know?. Well fear not because you will find that the single is in no way representative of the album's overall flavour. Not that 'On Call' is by any means a bad track, in fact it just shows the versatility of a band that is capable of taking their sound in other pleasantly surprising directions.
The feel of the album is a fine mixture in pace with a few slower thoughtful numbers ('True Love Way', 'The Runner', 'Arizona') mixed in amongst a barrel-load of pacey rock gems that are the now familiar KoL trademark. The effect works nicely, starting out slowly the album opens with the delicate but steady 'Knocked Up' then launches in to the bass-heavy 'Charmer', it then mellows out again with 'On Call' after which decending in to the raw 'McFearless' featuring some excellent drumming technique from Nathan. Just four songs in the album is already cooking.
The track order sits really well and you never really feel like anything sticks out of place. The usual fun numbers are present throughout including one of my personal favourites 'Ragoo'. 'Fans' is a really catchy song, a lovely little feel-good track featuring acoustic accompaniment. 'Trunk' is a funky little ditty with a really nice dream-like chorus layered with a soulful vocal drift from Caleb. My stand-out track would probably have to be 'Camaro', a punchy rocker of a tune which really gets your head bopping.
There are plenty of songs here that have single potential and of course with such a fresh sounding body of work there will surely be some great live gigs to come from the boys in the future. you can just tell that these guys are really enjoying making music and not scared of being the victims of previous success. Let's face it there are not many bands these days who make it to 3 albums while improving each time but Kings of Leon seem to pull it off in style. I really can't wait to see them on tour this summer, easily the coolest band around at the moment.
By now you may have heard the advanced single 'On Call' and initially thought hmmm this isn't the familiar old KOL sound that I know?. Well fear not because you will find that the single is in no way representative of the album's overall flavour. Not that 'On Call' is by any means a bad track, in fact it just shows the versatility of a band that is capable of taking their sound in other pleasantly surprising directions.
The feel of the album is a fine mixture in pace with a few slower thoughtful numbers ('True Love Way', 'The Runner', 'Arizona') mixed in amongst a barrel-load of pacey rock gems that are the now familiar KoL trademark. The effect works nicely, starting out slowly the album opens with the delicate but steady 'Knocked Up' then launches in to the bass-heavy 'Charmer', it then mellows out again with 'On Call' after which decending in to the raw 'McFearless' featuring some excellent drumming technique from Nathan. Just four songs in the album is already cooking.
The track order sits really well and you never really feel like anything sticks out of place. The usual fun numbers are present throughout including one of my personal favourites 'Ragoo'. 'Fans' is a really catchy song, a lovely little feel-good track featuring acoustic accompaniment. 'Trunk' is a funky little ditty with a really nice dream-like chorus layered with a soulful vocal drift from Caleb. My stand-out track would probably have to be 'Camaro', a punchy rocker of a tune which really gets your head bopping.
There are plenty of songs here that have single potential and of course with such a fresh sounding body of work there will surely be some great live gigs to come from the boys in the future. you can just tell that these guys are really enjoying making music and not scared of being the victims of previous success. Let's face it there are not many bands these days who make it to 3 albums while improving each time but Kings of Leon seem to pull it off in style. I really can't wait to see them on tour this summer, easily the coolest band around at the moment.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I'm 46. My eldest daughter is almost 22. (not that THAT matters, but I'm perhaps a little older than the average Kings of Leon "fan"?) Because of the Times is one of those rare cd's you can put on, and listen to, (all the way through) when you need a cd you can put on, and listen to, all the way through, without having to fast forward through the rubbish bits. Because there aren't any. (rubbish bits) Brilliant, as I said.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
ROCKIN
WoW what an album....there are stacks of good tunes and a couple of growers.I purchased 'only by the night' but thought id check out there old stuff and im glad i did. Read more
Published 7 months ago by D.G
Great Music
I very much enjoy all of KOL albums so when I listened to this one it was the same.
It's different to the latest 2 albums but still as good. Read more
It's different to the latest 2 albums but still as good. Read more
Published 15 months ago by GM
Badley let down by AMAZON at christmas.
This Album was purchaced as a christmas present way before christmas .
It arrived the wednesday AFTER christmas from LUXENBURG! Read more
It arrived the wednesday AFTER christmas from LUXENBURG! Read more
Published 16 months ago by GEOFFT
Perfect.
This album is what makes me say these guys are the best, most original band since Led Zeppelin. And, please believe me, I do not say that lightly. Read more
Published on 19 April 2010 by S. P. Fitzgerald
Amazing!
I loved it from start to finish. Delivered when it said it would be, in new condition.
Published on 4 Jan 2010 by Georgi
Their weakest
Every band has it's worse days. And this album proves that good. Weak as hell with not one song that kept me interested for more than 30 seconds.
Published on 22 July 2009 by Pawel Zietek
KOL at their best
I have all KOL albums and to me this is their best. Very catchy tunes, perfectly placed lyrics. I play this at least once a day and am still not bored with it. Fantastic!!
Published on 7 April 2009 by Wen
Kings of Leon
It is cheaper than the high street and enjoy the CD very much! Definitelywould recommend it.
Published on 31 Mar 2009 by Southeastern
it's a grower!
When I first brought this album, I listened to a few times, but then moved on to other albums with out really listening to it, as I thought it was a bit quirky for me. Read more
Published on 30 Jan 2009 by C. Haysom
classic 21st century rock album
The Kings, who with the best will in the world aren't the most original or groundbreaking artists, get the big production that the first albums didn't get, with the result being... Read more
Published on 2 Jan 2009 by Geoff Saunders
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