Because Of The Times : Kings Of Leon : Review : Rolling Stone

They don't make seven-minute doomed-teen-lover melodramas like the Kings of Leon's "Knocked Up" anymore. This is the Tennessee band's big album-opening saga, building from quiet to loud with guitar licks that sound like the Edge fried in okra, with ominous thunderclap drumrolls. Caleb Followill chokes on his story: He and his cowgirl are gonna have a baby, her mama don't like it, they don't care, they're hitting the road in a Coupe de Ville, no doubt just one step ahead of The Man. "I've taken all I've had to take/This takin's gonna shake me," Caleb declares with his usual throaty passion, gunning for the border as the guitars weave between U2 and Uriah Heep. Car + girl + lots and lots of guitar = "Knocked Up." Kings of Leon make it sound so simple -- and so funny -- they make you forget how many other bands go soft trying to run this same road.

It's an excellent opener to an excellent third album from the Kings. Because of the Times, named after a Southern preachers' conference that the boys used to attend with their Pentecostal minister father, is a whole album full of songs inspired by the only topic the Kings seem to care about: no-good women, the kind who turn nice country boys into thieves, fugitives or corpses, and make them love every sordid second of it. These are sons of the preacher man: singer-guitarist Caleb, bassist Jared and drummer Nathan are brothers, while cousin Matthew plays lead guitar. The Followills grew up living in a car with their defrocked itinerant minister daddy, Leon, and they basically went into the same business, except they've got sticky fingers for sin. On anthemic shitkickers like "Black Thumbnail," "My Party" and "On Call," they flare up like Black Oak Arkansas on a jag with the Ozark Mountain Daredevils and the Amazing Rhythm Aces.

When the Kings first arrived on the garage-rock scene a few years ago, they whipped up so much interest right away, nobody really minded that they weren't any good. Their Grizzly Adams beards, their Bible-thumping family background -- it all fed into their fans' Huck Finn fantasy of unspoiled backwoods boogie. Well, the back story was cute for about five minutes, but the songs didn't get the job started until their second album, the stunning (and sorely underrated) Aha Shake Heartbreak. From the sounds of the record, the Kings had met a few girls on the road and gotten their asses handed to them. There were all sorts of new energy and wit in the Strokes-Skynyrd music as the Kings unloaded their fantastic groupie tales -- the girl in "Soft" would paint your toes and let her "perfect nipples" show, while the girl in "Milk" had an hourglass body and lent you her toothbrush.

Because of the Times is even better -- the band doesn't fuss with any sort of rootsy purism, which is why it gets away with retro moves that would sound soft from anybody else. Matthew Followill keeps getting more expansive dynamics out of his guitar, with salutary Euro influences -- "Charmer" has a driving guitar riff swiped from Wire's "Ex Lion Tamer," probably by way of Blur's "Song 2." "Trunk" has loony, high-lonesome oooohs over some serious swamp-blues guitar murk. Folksy ballads like "Fans" and "The Runner" remind you that the Kings could be as facile as the Black Crowes or Nickelback if they were content to aim that low. Caleb's vocals continue to defy description: Steppenwolf's John Kay after a nad-crushing motorcycle crash? The Band's Richard Manuel with scurvy? Dave Matthews getting ripped apart by wolverines? And did I mention the lyrics? Ridiculous little monsters, they are, fit to get brutally stomped into the dirt, which in fact is exactly how Caleb treats them. How good can the Kings of Leon get? On Because of the Times, they've already gone further than anybody could have guessed.

ROB SHEFFIELD

(Posted: Mar 21, 2007)

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Review 1 of 40

4of 5 Stars

Kings of Leon are in my top 2 favorite bands of all time, and i have to say, this album was not as good as it could of been. i still gave it four stars though. this album defiantly got better the more i listened to it. the best song on this album is Arizona, Mcfearless and Ragoo were a close second and third for me. Charmer was defiantly pulled down by Caleb screaming but overall its pretty great, and the rest of songs are great but not that great. its the length and speed of these songs that i think made them hard to listen to at first. the lyrics were good but a little deep almost trying to hard. Thats why Arizona Mcfearless and Ragoo stand out. those songs were written B-E-A-utifully The main thing is that where Aha-Shake Heartbrake Packed a punch plus great lyrics, Beacause of the times has no punch except a few little "jabs" here and there and

GREAT ALBUM , i like the change of pace no matter how different it is

Sep 16, 2008 13:42:21

Review 2 of 40

4of 5 Stars

This is Caleb Followill's most mature songwriting, and what is sacrificed on the outright guitar-rock attack that made Aha Shake Heartbreak their best album, is made up for by intoxicating character depictions and serious moral weight from a songwriter coming into his own. Songs like Ragoo, Fans and True Love Way rank among their best collaborative work yet, but it's on songs like Knocked Up and Arizona where Caleb takes the band farther than it has ever gone. This is laid back compared to their last release and the track placement seems a bit catch-as-catch-can, but it's still one of the 10 Best Albums of the Years. It's best appreciated on an MP3 mix of the band's entire catalogue, you get this, their Darkness on the Edge of Town with their River and Welcome to Asbury Park.

Aug 25, 2007 10:21:51

Review 3 of 40

5of 5 Stars

I love this CD. It is a classic and doesnt leave my player. I agree with the previous post,put them on the cover! I'd love to see this band get the credit it deserves for its originality! They have a style all thier own and it really rocks! I love "On Call" it is the most romantic song, something real and lasting instead of "having my clothes off by the end of the song" I love "Four Kicks" too, I am watching for tickets in my area and plan on buying whatever they record in the future. I feel they are full of promise and hope a strong spiritual background will keep them from selling thier music out to hard drugs or whats "pop". The more I hear the more I like them and want to know them better!

Aug 15, 2007 12:08:42

Review 4 of 40

5of 5 Stars

"I've taken all I've had to take/This takin's gonna shake me," -
er, get it right pal, it's in the sleeve notes. It's "I'm takin' all I
have to take because taken [takin's] gonna shape me" which is
entirely different and shows the intelligence and maturity of
the observation. I suspect that the sleeve notes are also
wrong as taken is printed twice where takin' would make
more sense given the context...

I like this band, they're producing interesting music in an era
where there is so much that they can be unfairly compared
with. Perhaps because I am older than some of the reviewers
here I appreciate the blending of styles and references to
other band's sounds. I don't find that it's a crime, especially as
it is all rather self-effacing and humourous. KoL obviously
enjoy what they do and I think that's infectious in the sound
they produce. I also like the Tennesee sound and the general
American Country Rock roots references; maybe that's
because I'm British and we have a broad range of tastes and
influences. It's interesting that so many stars (e.g. Hendrix)
had to come here first to make it big in the US.

The first two albums are great and this one is hardly ever out
of my CD player. Music is like poetry or art; you either get it
or you don't. It doesn't matter if you don't like it at first; chill
out, give it another listen and I'm sure you'll start to get it.

Jun 1, 2007 09:04:21

Review 5 of 40

4of 5 Stars

Because of the times is a fucking fantastic album that I just can't stop listening to!! A fairly recent fan of this band, I was introduced to their music by the quirky yet dirty, 'Äha Shake Heartbreak'in all its swaggering glory.' It's musical porn lyricism, and tales of preacher boys gone wild entertained me no end. That album was good, and showed promise, but this album is great.
From the unexpected sincerity of 'Knocked up'to the howling posturing of 'Charmer'this album is full of gems.
Another standout for me is 'The runner'. Beautiful slow hillbilly-gospel backing vocals, Caleb's aching lead vocals, and searingly honest lyrics combine to devastating effect.
Speaking of lead singer, Caleb Followill: from longing reminisence to off-the-richter scale howling; his voice is better than ever, and still defies description. Is there other male rock singer that can come close right now? I doubt it.
The band as whole is better too, as shown on "Ragoo". Deceptively opening with perky almost poppy verses, going into an expansive minor chorus, this band is musically adept at taking the listener with them to sometimes unexpected destinations.
The lowdown? This is great album because while it obviously delivers on what was hinted at in Äha shake", it also surprises with dashes of prog-rock expansiveness, accomplished musicality, and bloody great lyrics. As always with the Kings of Leon, they've made a cracker of an album, that gets better with each listen,while leaving you wondering where they're gonna take you next time. I cannot what to hear this shit live!! Highly recommended, go get it yáll : )

May 19, 2007 18:16:15

Review 6 of 40

5of 5 Stars

First and foremost the Kings of Leon are just that...KINGS! Because of the Times is just what we've been waiting for. For everyone waiting to hear Ah Ha Pt. 2 wake up and smell the originality it the fuckin' air! It's only human and intelligent to grow as a musician. This new album still has a taste of Youth and Young Manhood even, and just the right touch of ease. It's a no-brainer to enjoy. The songwriting makes you smile and the melody makes you move. These guys with their depicted reputation and rumored lifestyle can still put together a complex yet simple tune. Not every album of every artist is going to sound the same...and thank the lord for kOL and this one. Perfection!

May 15, 2007 13:47:07

Review 7 of 40

4of 5 Stars

We all knew that the kings of leon would be hard pressed to surpass aha shake heartbreak just like the strokes would never top Is this it. However this is a band that has a great story a band that came out with their good looks and a lead singer with a voice that is completely unique. They have lost none of there charm. On Call is a solid single that had me baying for more. This album has to be listened to a few times for you to really appreciate it. Some may say this band have been corrupted by there money and the albums over produced but it hasnt diluted the purity of their sound. The kings of leon are a proper rock band making proper music they arnt clinging to a scene like so many disposable bands these days. This album is a breath of fresh air each track delivers and I know I'll be playing this one for years to come.

Apr 22, 2007 08:05:03

Review 8 of 40

2of 5 Stars

2 stars because it is still better than craig david. Have they adapted their sound for an appearance on next seasons american idol? Such a shame to have dissolved their beautiful point of difference into the mediocrocy of the dime a dozen rock bands out there. why taint such a gutsy unique drunk passionate powerfull voice with gay studio effects?? Why add in supurfulous been-there-done-that souless guitar riffs when they had it sorted with their simple powerful punchyness??
For sure, they are still a wicked rock band, but now, just another rock band, not the musical apifiny that was kings of leon. Change/development is a great thing, indeed a nessecary thing, but i'm just gutted they they chose to develop in the comercial direction.

Apr 21, 2007 19:10:20

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