kings of leon albums

the jam

i've got the newest of the KOL album, and its really good. i'm checking them out next friday. i saw them a couple of years ago thanks to PJ, but had no idea who they were. anyways i went on itunes and discovered they have 3 older albums. all the reviews on itunes were very positive for all 3 albums, but i felt like it was biased. anyways if i could get some feedback on to which albums to get...especially if they play them live alot.

UpSideDown

Because Of The Times is by far their best.......

South of Seattle

UpSideDown wrote:

Because Of The Times is by far their best.......

Then Aha shake heartbreak.

If you have their newest, you have the worst of the 4.

the jam

South of Seattle wrote:

UpSideDown wrote:

Because Of The Times is by far their best.......

Then Aha shake heartbreak.

If you have their newest, you have the worst of the 4.

Really? thats pretty crazy. how come it took that long for the masses to hear? its not like they have some kind of unique or strange sound. they seem like a pretty normal rocking band to me. or maybe i've been living under a rock.

twisted thoughts

the older the better and the less live play they get
they pretty much sold out w/ the sex on fire cd IMO
you'll notice that at the show when the only song the crowd knows is sex on fire
its sad really...they had potential...
if your interested in the good stuff, check out Youth and Young Manhood and Aha Shake...Because of the Times is good too...
like someone else said...youve already got the worst of it.

bonnaroobaby

youth and young manhood is my fav
the album sounds a lot more natural without as much production just the band playing together and a especially vocals that dont make you wanna puke

have not liked thier new stuff as much but they are a good show live
saw them last summer at bonnaroo and a few times in the past year here in toronto they play the hits form all albums but generally their early stuff is their best

the jam

ok it sounds like i need to just get all 3. i've never got the whole sell out thing...but hey thats just me...and thats a whole nother can of worms. i'm really excited to see if there older albums are that much better. if so, then i'll be a huge fan.

left the porch

I'm looking forward to the new album Come Around Sundown. It will be interesting to see how well it does after the mega smash Only By The Night, which is my least favourite of the four albums thus far. Aha Shake Heartbreak is a classic, Youth And Young Manhood is one of the best debut albums ever and Because Of The Times is proof they have diversity. All in all, I think their best is yet to come. They are still very young and very talented, and still learning and growing. And their live show kicks ass, although no where near PJ, but then again, nobody is.

Yellow Ledbelly

I read about them on the NME website right about the time their first, Youth and Young Manhood, came out and thought I would check them out based on the excellent reviews there. If they still made music like that they might be my second favorite band right now....the first is by far their best in my book.

THe masses in the U.S. didn't know anything about them because they got no press and no play for the most part because they were so raw and good southern rockin' in the beginning. I always read Rolling Stone and I found it funny how probably the first time they ever got a mention in the mag wasn't until Only By the Night came...and they totally became pretty boys and changed their sound strictly in the name of gaining popularity in the U.S. They've said so pretty much....look for some interviews. That's fine if that's what they wanted to do, but I was really turned off by the sophomoric, teeny bopper tunes like Sex On Fire. I hope the new album is more of a return to their previous albums since they've built up their fan base some....but the teeny bopper crowd won't stick with them....KoL was just the flavor of the month with them I figure.

1. Youth and Young Manhood
2. Because of the Times
3. A-Ha Shake Heartbreak
4. Only by the Night....it does have some tracks I liked but it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth when I think about the direction I wish they had taken

the jam

Yellow Ledbelly wrote:

I read about them on the NME website right about the time their first, Youth and Young Manhood, came out and thought I would check them out based on the excellent reviews there. If they still made music like that they might be my second favorite band right now....the first is by far their best in my book.

THe masses in the U.S. didn't know anything about them because they got no press and no play for the most part because they were so raw and good southern rockin' in the beginning. I always read Rolling Stone and I found it funny how probably the first time they ever got a mention in the mag wasn't until Only By the Night came...and they totally became pretty boys and changed their sound strictly in the name of gaining popularity in the U.S. They've said so pretty much....look for some interviews. That's fine if that's what they wanted to do, but I was really turned off by the sophomoric, teeny bopper tunes like Sex On Fire. I hope the new album is more of a return to their previous albums since they've built up their fan base some....but the teeny bopper crowd won't stick with them....KoL was just the flavor of the month with them I figure.

1. Youth and Young Manhood
2. Because of the Times
3. A-Ha Shake Heartbreak
4. Only by the Night....it does have some tracks I liked but it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth when I think about the direction I wish they had taken

thanks for the great review. it sheds light on these old eyes. i do understand why you might think they are sell outs, but i've never understood it. isn't the sole purpose to making music...is to have as many people dig it as possable?

twisted thoughts

Thanks Yellow Ledbelly
I couldnt have said it any better

however, on the sell out side, i do believe someone should mention their clothing line...
cuz you know, real southern rock stars spend like $100 per bandanna
http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/daily/100107-kings-of-leons-fashion-collection-/gallery.aspx#

Yellow Ledbelly

the jam wrote:

Yellow Ledbelly wrote:

I read about them on the NME website right about the time their first, Youth and Young Manhood, came out and thought I would check them out based on the excellent reviews there. If they still made music like that they might be my second favorite band right now....the first is by far their best in my book.

THe masses in the U.S. didn't know anything about them because they got no press and no play for the most part because they were so raw and good southern rockin' in the beginning. I always read Rolling Stone and I found it funny how probably the first time they ever got a mention in the mag wasn't until Only By the Night came...and they totally became pretty boys and changed their sound strictly in the name of gaining popularity in the U.S. They've said so pretty much....look for some interviews. That's fine if that's what they wanted to do, but I was really turned off by the sophomoric, teeny bopper tunes like Sex On Fire. I hope the new album is more of a return to their previous albums since they've built up their fan base some....but the teeny bopper crowd won't stick with them....KoL was just the flavor of the month with them I figure.

1. Youth and Young Manhood
2. Because of the Times
3. A-Ha Shake Heartbreak
4. Only by the Night....it does have some tracks I liked but it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth when I think about the direction I wish they had taken

thanks for the great review. it sheds light on these old eyes. i do understand why you might think they are sell outs, but i've never understood it. isn't the sole purpose to making music...is to have as many people dig it as possable?

I don't necessarily like the term "sell out" either. You are totally correct that getting as many people as possible to listen should always be the goal for music, but I think that should come naturally in the progression and work of a band....not by conjuring up some new image and changing their sound.
Maybe they always wanted to be a pop band, but I just never saw them heading in that direction.
Like I said though...that's their business and no one else's if they wanted to change. Doesn't mean I have to like it though

Of The Aggie

I had heard of them previous to Only By The Night but never listened to anything from them. Then I listened to Only By The Night on a whim to to see what the hype was about and I really liked that album. I played it constantly. Then I tried to go back and listen to their older stuff and just couldn't get into it.

I can see how fans of their earlier work might be a bit disappointed by the direction they took but those of us who became fans recently don't really know what we missed, i guess, and we like their current sound.

Aren't there plenty of younger PJ fans who missed the whole Ten/Vs/Vitalogy era that say their favorite albums are No Code/Yield/Binaural, while those of us who have been there from the beginning still feel the first three are their best but acknowledge that their sound changed and accepted it.

DewieCox

I don't hear huge a difference musically in the last 2 albums. OBtN certainly has more poppy arrangement, but the music itself is very similar to BotT

Who cares what their image is?

Their first album is just boring and the 2nd is about as unoriginal as it gets.

red mos

I think everyone has pretty much covered the basis here but I'll throw in my two cents.

The term "sellout" refers to when a band who is kind of underground or not known to the masses changes their sound and image. They usually follow the trend that is making the major labels money. The second the trend fades, then the band may be in danger of becoming ignored and dropped from the label. KOL are a great band and OBTN is a good album, but the sound on it is alot different. Their raw whiskey vocal filled sound like on YAYM isn't there. They kind of reminded me of a young black crowes in terms of sound on their YAYM album. Once you listen to the older albums you may be able to see what I mean.

Because of the times and Youth and young manhood are my faves.

I haven't seen them live yet, so I can't really shed light on a live show.

DiRtyFranK38

because of the times is a masterpiece.
the other 3 are great too.

Yellow Ledbelly

red mos wrote:

They kind of reminded me of a young black crowes in terms of sound on their YAYM album.

Very good comparison.

DewieCox

Yellow Ledbelly wrote:

red mos wrote:

They kind of reminded me of a young black crowes in terms of sound on their YAYM album.

Very good comparison.

I don't really hear that, a whole lot. Crowes had way more balls and alot more musical depth.

Yellow Ledbelly

DewieCox wrote:

Yellow Ledbelly wrote:

red mos wrote:

They kind of reminded me of a young black crowes in terms of sound on their YAYM album.

Very good comparison.

I don't really hear that, a whole lot. Crowes had way more balls and alot more musical depth.

This is true, but the spirit of what they did during the YAYM days was very much akin to the early Crowes even if the music didn't exactly follow the same blueprint.

Naturally, the Crowes wipe the floor with KoL during any given period and on any given day.

red mos

I guess I should have clarified that vocally they reminded me of a young black crowes. You are correct that the black crowes are way more diverse and skilled musically.

bonnaroobaby

"isn't the sole purpose to making music...is to have as many people dig it as possable?"

i would disagree with this statement, although having as many people dig it as possible is important for most bands i doubt its the sole purpose for making music. Some bands enjoy making music together simply to make music they like or to express a state of mind or idea .. if bands soul purpose was to be popular several bands or artist would have a totally different sound than what they present
ie : T.V on the radio, Les Claypool or even the ever inspiring Neil Young.. imagine what would have became of uncle Neil if his soul purpose was to get as many interested fans as possible?

LukinFan

1. Because of the Times
2. A-Ha Shake Heartbreak
3. Youth ans Young Manhood
4. Only by the Night

the jam

bonnaroobaby wrote:

"isn't the sole purpose to making music...is to have as many people dig it as possable?"

i would disagree with this statement, although having as many people dig it as possible is important for most bands i doubt its the sole purpose for making music. Some bands enjoy making music together simply to make music they like or to express a state of mind or idea .. if bands soul purpose was to be popular several bands or artist would have a totally different sound than what they present
ie : T.V on the radio, Les Claypool or even the ever inspiring Neil Young.. imagine what would have became of uncle Neil if his soul purpose was to get as many interested fans as possible?

i understand what you mean. i'm no musician, but i think muscians like their music to be liked. its hard to be proud of something that nobody else gets it or likes it.

Gardenparty

DewieCox wrote:

Yellow Ledbelly wrote:

red mos wrote:

They kind of reminded me of a young black crowes in terms of sound on their YAYM album.

Very good comparison.

I don't really hear that, a whole lot. Crowes had way more balls and alot more musical depth.

skill and musicallity. yes. Balls, not reallly. the robinson bros. are known to be little b*tches

DewieCox

Gardenparty wrote:

skill and musicallity. yes. Balls, not reallly. the robinson bros. are known to be little b*tches

I meant musical balls, but I'm fairly certain Chris and Rich would kick the crap outta those skinny jeans wearin pussies.

left the porch

And I bet my dad could beat up your dad :P

catefrances

the jam wrote:

bonnaroobaby wrote:

"isn't the sole purpose to making music...is to have as many people dig it as possable?"

i would disagree with this statement, although having as many people dig it as possible is important for most bands i doubt its the sole purpose for making music. Some bands enjoy making music together simply to make music they like or to express a state of mind or idea .. if bands soul purpose was to be popular several bands or artist would have a totally different sound than what they present
ie : T.V on the radio, Les Claypool or even the ever inspiring Neil Young.. imagine what would have became of uncle Neil if his soul purpose was to get as many interested fans as possible?

i understand what you mean. i'm no musician, but i think muscians like their music to be liked. its hard to be proud of something that nobody else gets it or likes it.

self satisfaction. thats the only reason to do what you do. its nice for others to like what youre doing but it shouldnt be the raison d'etre