The reason why Kings of Leon have so many haters

keeponrockin

KM43590 wrote:

I hate them because they're talentless hacks! Both U2 and Kings of Leon! Their music is awful, plain and simple. Their lifestyles and/or political and social agendas have nothing to do with it. They earned the money, so let them do what they want. But whatever they do, nothing is going to make me listen to the garbage they put out. I equate their vast popularity with the fact that most people don't have a clue what good music actually is, therefore bands like these (and far too many others) benefit because the fans and "music lovers" don't know any better. I used to be like that, and then I heard Pearl Jam 20 years ago and everything changed for the better! Thank you PJ for being one of the very few greats in the world!

Have you HEARD the Joshua Tree?

Newch91

keeponrockin wrote:

KM43590 wrote:

I hate them because they're talentless hacks! Both U2 and Kings of Leon! Their music is awful, plain and simple. Their lifestyles and/or political and social agendas have nothing to do with it. They earned the money, so let them do what they want. But whatever they do, nothing is going to make me listen to the garbage they put out. I equate their vast popularity with the fact that most people don't have a clue what good music actually is, therefore bands like these (and far too many others) benefit because the fans and "music lovers" don't know any better. I used to be like that, and then I heard Pearl Jam 20 years ago and everything changed for the better! Thank you PJ for being one of the very few greats in the world!

Have you HEARD the Joshua Tree?

+1. Have to throw in Achtung Baby.

keeponrockin

I just think the first 3 Joshua Tree songs are the best opening three songs of any album, ever.

Newch91

keeponrockin wrote:

I just think the first 3 Joshua Tree songs are the best opening three songs of any album, ever.

I'll have to agree with you on that. Where the Streets Have No Name is one of the best songs to open an album, with it's energy felt once the drums kick in.

Lifted

musicismylife78 wrote:

keeponrockin wrote:

I really don't give a shit how a band lives and acts, as long as they're not committing crimes or killing people, it's fine with me. Hell, if I made millions of dollars, I'd buy a mustang, buy a big house, and fill that house with a shit ton of gear.

i know what you mean, however as i said, its not a universal thing we are talking about here. As I said in my original post, many "it" buzz bands of the moment liscence their music to tv shows and commercials and movies as a way to make money as a result of not being able to depend on cd sales anymore. Few, if any, of those bands are called sell outs. Why werent the Shins blacklisted for doing a jingle for Mcdonalds and to top it off liscencing their song to Garden State which made them household names? Why isnt Isaac Brock protested and shunned because they liscened a song to a minivan commercial? Why or how can Sam Beam do a commercial for M and M's and then be a critical and commercial darling?

Theres a disconnect here. On one hand you have U2 and Kings of Leon, two humongous bands with a huge following, and fan base but also a large and vocal hater contingent as well. They sell millions of records, sell out stadiums and arenas of 20/30,000 plus people and live the lifestyle of rock gods. They are considered sellouts.

On the other hand, you have the shins or modest mouse, huge groups in their own right, who do commercials and liscence songs to corporations, yet their fanbase doesnt view them, nor do the critics view them as sellouts?

Again, i dont really honestly care if you hate the kings of Leon or not. I didnt start this thread to defend the band. My position is that the band is hated because they live fabulously extravagent lives and flaunt it.

That to me is the only explanation of why bands like The National can liscence songs to tv shows and be among the most important bands of the 2000's, and then you have Kings of Leon and U2, who are considered sellouts.



On the o

i don't think people think kings of leon are sellouts because of their lifestyle or liscensing music to advertisers, it's because they changed their music to appeal to a mass audience. personally, i never thought kings of leon were that great to begin with, but i can see why fans of their old material would turn on the band after their last two albums. it's top 40 radio rock. if you're into that, that's fine. but a lot of people hate mainstream pop music, which their first few albums weren't.
i love some of the bands you mentioned, the national, the shins, and of course pearl jam. another one of my favorite bands, wilco, cut a deal with volkswagen a few years ago after "sky blue sky" came out as well. the difference between these bands and kings of leon, is that those bands never sacrificed their artistic integrity to sell their music to a mass audience. they simply used commercials/tv shows as a way of getting their music heard. after all, every musician wants people to listen, or they wouldn't be playing music. anyway, i think that's what you're missing here. people don't give a shit what their rock stars are driving, where they're living, or what they're drinking, they just care about the music they are hearing, and kings of leon have without a doubt changed. whether for better or worse depends on personal taste, but they certainly aren't making the same music they were making before "only by the night".

Music For Rhinos

I don't care how much money the members of Kings of Leon make or what they spend it on.

I just don't care for their music that much.

A better title for this thread might be, "One of the Reasons why Kings of Leon have so many haters."

intodeep

I dont like them because i think their lyrics are shit and their singer sounds horrible to my ears.

I actually like the music they make from an instrumental stand point at least some of it.

I saw them as an opening band for the secret machines about 6 or so years ago so i've seen them live. It was in a small club and the crowd was all into it. It was when that album with "cockfight" on it came out.

They are not for me. For their sake i'm glad people like them.

The Fixer

The OP is way off base here. People don't like KOL because their music has changed and become top 40 garbage (as someone else mentioned). Their first two albums are great, the third is decent, and the 4th and 5th suck balls.

Also, the entire band has changed their image from the early days. Gone are the scruffy rednecks from tennessee...they are now clean shaven pretty boys in tight jeans. yuck.

They even started their own clothing line for christ sake.

So the hatred towards this band has absolutely nothing to do with the lifestyle they lead. It has everything to do with the shift in musical style to top 40 power ballads...and the complete transformation of their image. They have become the present day Journey minus steve perry.

Their first two albums will always be among my favorites...until they go back to that style of music they are dead to me.

musicismylife78

The Fixer wrote:

The OP is way off base here. People don't like KOL because their music has changed and become top 40 garbage (as someone else mentioned). Their first two albums are great, the third is decent, and the 4th and 5th suck balls.

Also, the entire band has changed their image from the early days. Gone are the scruffy rednecks from tennessee...they are now clean shaven pretty boys in tight jeans. yuck.

They even started their own clothing line for christ sake.

So the hatred towards this band has absolutely nothing to do with the lifestyle they lead. It has everything to do with the shift in musical style to top 40 power ballads...and the complete transformation of their image. They have become the present day Journey minus steve perry.

Their first two albums will always be among my favorites...until they go back to that style of music they are dead to me.

but ive also pointed out, correctly, and few people have even commented on it, is this idea that in this day and age alot of artists change their image, or do this to expand their brand. And by the way, is writing anthem sing alongs really trying to go mainstream? Hell Arcade Fire, a beloved band, was writing those types of songs from the get go, even when their shows were just small club shows. Now they sell out arenas.

The point is, jack White wrote a jingle for Coke and for James Bond. Yet he is among the most revered and respected musicians working today. Damien Rice liscened his song to Lost. One of the few artists to get his songs played on the series, and he is among the most respected singer songwriters in the world. Sam Beam, whose latest album is getting mixed reviews liscened his song to Twilight and M and M's and he still released one of the most critically acclaimed albums of 2007, so that obviously didnt harm him. Then you have bands like Of Montreal who do an Outback Steakhouse commercial and are basically crucified for it. As I said, if it was a universal thing that a band goes or attempts to go mainstream and is hated for it, thats one thing. But as my points indicate, it isnt universal. For every Kings of Leon who are called sellouts, there is a band who appears on Greys Anatomy or The Hills and GAINS FANs AND CREDIBILITY.

The Fixer

musicismylife78 wrote:

The Fixer wrote:

The OP is way off base here. People don't like KOL because their music has changed and become top 40 garbage (as someone else mentioned). Their first two albums are great, the third is decent, and the 4th and 5th suck balls.

Also, the entire band has changed their image from the early days. Gone are the scruffy rednecks from tennessee...they are now clean shaven pretty boys in tight jeans. yuck.

They even started their own clothing line for christ sake.

So the hatred towards this band has absolutely nothing to do with the lifestyle they lead. It has everything to do with the shift in musical style to top 40 power ballads...and the complete transformation of their image. They have become the present day Journey minus steve perry.

Their first two albums will always be among my favorites...until they go back to that style of music they are dead to me.

but ive also pointed out, correctly, and few people have even commented on it, is this idea that in this day and age alot of artists change their image, or do this to expand their brand. And by the way, is writing anthem sing alongs really trying to go mainstream? Hell Arcade Fire, a beloved band, was writing those types of songs from the get go, even when their shows were just small club shows. Now they sell out arenas.

The point is, jack White wrote a jingle for Coke and for James Bond. Yet he is among the most revered and respected musicians working today. Damien Rice liscened his song to Lost. One of the few artists to get his songs played on the series, and he is among the most respected singer songwriters in the world. Sam Beam, whose latest album is getting mixed reviews liscened his song to Twilight and M and M's and he still released one of the most critically acclaimed albums of 2007, so that obviously didnt harm him. Then you have bands like Of Montreal who do an Outback Steakhouse commercial and are basically crucified for it. As I said, if it was a universal thing that a band goes or attempts to go mainstream and is hated for it, thats one thing. But as my points indicate, it isnt universal. For every Kings of Leon who are called sellouts, there is a band who appears on Greys Anatomy or The Hills and GAINS FANs AND CREDIBILITY.

All I'm sayin is that your original point was that people dislike KOL for their lifestyle. That's not true. As someone who was once a fan of their music, my issue with them is their transformation of their image and music. They are now a band that produces top 40 garbage. Call it what you want, but that's the reason why I am no longer a fan.

I'd feel the same way about any other band I like. It would be the same thing as PJ putting out 2 entire albums of Last Kiss type songs. I would lose interest quickly. Thankfully we never have to worry about that happening

facepollution

The Fixer wrote:

The OP is way off base here. People don't like KOL because their music has changed and become top 40 garbage (as someone else mentioned). Their first two albums are great, the third is decent, and the 4th and 5th suck balls.

Also, the entire band has changed their image from the early days. Gone are the scruffy rednecks from tennessee...they are now clean shaven pretty boys in tight jeans. yuck.

They even started their own clothing line for christ sake.

So the hatred towards this band has absolutely nothing to do with the lifestyle they lead. It has everything to do with the shift in musical style to top 40 power ballads...and the complete transformation of their image. They have become the present day Journey minus steve perry.

Their first two albums will always be among my favorites...until they go back to that style of music they are dead to me.

Wow, how superficial..........

As a long time fan (as in from their first E.P), I personally think their third album is their best. I also happen to like about two thirds of their most recent stuff.

In terms of how they dresss, where to begin.......do you dress how you did nearly ten years ago? Fashion moves on. Wow, they had a shave, big fucking deal. As it goes, last time I saw Caleb on youtube or wherever, he had a beard anyway! Clothing line? I'm pretty sure they loaned their name to a limited edition run of clothing a couple of years back, which is hardly a big deal - fashion can be seen as art, they're artists of sorts, ergo....again not really a big deal.

OK, the top 40 hits, now thats why I think a lot of people now hate them. And I certainly get it, I dislike Sex On Fire and Use Somebody as much as the next guy, in fact I usually hate even the best songs out there if they're rammed down my throat every time I turn the tv or radio on. But since when have radio singles been the best songs on any band's album? For me, songs like Closer, Crawl, Manhattan, Cold Desert, The End and Back Down South are just as good as anything they've done.

DewieCox

The Fixer wrote:

All I'm sayin is that your original point was that people dislike KOL for their lifestyle. That's not true. As someone who was once a fan of their music, my issue with them is their transformation of their image and music. They are now a band that produces top 40 garbage. Call it what you want, but that's the reason why I am no longer a fan.

I'd feel the same way about any other band I like. It would be the same thing as PJ putting out 2 entire albums of Last Kiss type songs. I would lose interest quickly. Thankfully we never have to worry about that happening

I'd "blame" KoL for actually learning how to play their instruments in the change of direction more than anything. Alotta people act like their music changed with OBTN, but BotT is very much the same style, it just didn't have the huge hit single.

There's been a pretty big transformation in PJ's music and image over the last 2 albums, since they've admittedly desired more success. BS was by far and away the most bland thing PJ has put out and S/T had some pretty safe stuff, too. You still diggin that?

The Fixer

DewieCox wrote:

The Fixer wrote:

All I'm sayin is that your original point was that people dislike KOL for their lifestyle. That's not true. As someone who was once a fan of their music, my issue with them is their transformation of their image and music. They are now a band that produces top 40 garbage. Call it what you want, but that's the reason why I am no longer a fan.

I'd feel the same way about any other band I like. It would be the same thing as PJ putting out 2 entire albums of Last Kiss type songs. I would lose interest quickly. Thankfully we never have to worry about that happening

I'd "blame" KoL for actually learning how to play their instruments in the change of direction more than anything. Alotta people act like their music changed with OBTN, but BotT is very much the same style, it just didn't have the huge hit single.

There's been a pretty big transformation in PJ's music and image over the last 2 albums, since they've admittedly desired more success. BS was by far and away the most bland thing PJ has put out and S/T had some pretty safe stuff, too. You still diggin that?

I agree with your second paragraph, though I do like the majority of backspacer. I could do without the End and Just breathe, but I like Got Some, Gonna See My Friend, supersonic, and Unthought Known a lot.

That said, PJ hasn't changed anywhere near as much as KOL...in terms of appearance and evolution towards mainstream sound. Not even close

The Fixer

facepollution wrote:

The Fixer wrote:

The OP is way off base here. People don't like KOL because their music has changed and become top 40 garbage (as someone else mentioned). Their first two albums are great, the third is decent, and the 4th and 5th suck balls.

Also, the entire band has changed their image from the early days. Gone are the scruffy rednecks from tennessee...they are now clean shaven pretty boys in tight jeans. yuck.

They even started their own clothing line for christ sake.

So the hatred towards this band has absolutely nothing to do with the lifestyle they lead. It has everything to do with the shift in musical style to top 40 power ballads...and the complete transformation of their image. They have become the present day Journey minus steve perry.

Their first two albums will always be among my favorites...until they go back to that style of music they are dead to me.

Wow, how superficial..........

As a long time fan (as in from their first E.P), I personally think their third album is their best. I also happen to like about two thirds of their most recent stuff.

In terms of how they dresss, where to begin.......do you dress how you did nearly ten years ago? Fashion moves on. Wow, they had a shave, big fucking deal. As it goes, last time I saw Caleb on youtube or wherever, he had a beard anyway! Clothing line? I'm pretty sure they loaned their name to a limited edition run of clothing a couple of years back, which is hardly a big deal - fashion can be seen as art, they're artists of sorts, ergo....again not really a big deal.

OK, the top 40 hits, now thats why I think a lot of people now hate them. And I certainly get it, I dislike Sex On Fire and Use Somebody as much as the next guy, in fact I usually hate even the best songs out there if they're rammed down my throat every time I turn the tv or radio on. But since when have radio singles been the best songs on any band's album? For me, songs like Closer, Crawl, Manhattan, Cold Desert, The End and Back Down South are just as good as anything they've done.

eh, call it whatever you want. I understand that bands evolve. I just think KOL's sound and image have changed for the worse. Some people may like it...I think it sucks.

the original point the OP made couldn't have been more off base. No one cares what kind of lifestyle these guys are living. I'm just disappointed with their music...and the tight jeans don't help either

DewieCox

The Fixer wrote:

DewieCox wrote:

The Fixer wrote:

All I'm sayin is that your original point was that people dislike KOL for their lifestyle. That's not true. As someone who was once a fan of their music, my issue with them is their transformation of their image and music. They are now a band that produces top 40 garbage. Call it what you want, but that's the reason why I am no longer a fan.

I'd feel the same way about any other band I like. It would be the same thing as PJ putting out 2 entire albums of Last Kiss type songs. I would lose interest quickly. Thankfully we never have to worry about that happening

I'd "blame" KoL for actually learning how to play their instruments in the change of direction more than anything. Alotta people act like their music changed with OBTN, but BotT is very much the same style, it just didn't have the huge hit single.

There's been a pretty big transformation in PJ's music and image over the last 2 albums, since they've admittedly desired more success. BS was by far and away the most bland thing PJ has put out and S/T had some pretty safe stuff, too. You still diggin that?

I agree with your second paragraph, though I do like the majority of backspacer. I could do without the End and Just breathe, but I like Got Some, Gonna See My Friend, supersonic, and Unthought Known a lot.

That said, PJ hasn't changed anywhere near as much as KOL...in terms of appearance and evolution towards mainstream sound. Not even close

I think if you start at Riot Act and come to the present day, PJ has changed every bit as much KoL. Especially when you adjust for the respective points in their careers and age's.

SVRDhand13

The Fixer wrote:

The OP is way off base here. People don't like KOL because their music has changed and become top 40 garbage (as someone else mentioned). Their first two albums are great, the third is decent, and the 4th and 5th suck balls.

Also, the entire band has changed their image from the early days. Gone are the scruffy rednecks from tennessee...they are now clean shaven pretty boys in tight jeans. yuck.

They even started their own clothing line for christ sake.

So the hatred towards this band has absolutely nothing to do with the lifestyle they lead. It has everything to do with the shift in musical style to top 40 power ballads...and the complete transformation of their image. They have become the present day Journey minus steve perry.

Their first two albums will always be among my favorites...until they go back to that style of music they are dead to me.

I agree the OP is way off here. I'll only disagree with one thing about this post- I actually liked the 3rd record too- probably even more than the first two.

The Fixer

I have seen this band live 5 times. Honestly the tipping point for me was seeing them at the spectrum the last time they were in philly. The setlist sucked and the crowd really sucked (all going crazy for the most generic songs). It was a completely different environment than the first few times I saw them.

The Fixer

DewieCox wrote:

I think if you start at Riot Act and come to the present day, PJ has changed every bit as much KoL. Especially when you adjust for the respective points in their careers and age's.

why would you start with riot act? we are talking about evolution of band's careers.

facepollution

The Fixer wrote:

eh, call it whatever you want. I understand that bands evolve. I just think KOL's sound and image have changed for the worse. Some people may like it...I think it sucks.

the original point the OP made couldn't have been more off base. No one cares what kind of lifestyle these guys are living. I'm just disappointed with their music...and the tight jeans don't help either

I agree about the lifestyle thing, way off base....

So you don't like a single song from their last two albums?

The Fixer

facepollution wrote:

The Fixer wrote:

eh, call it whatever you want. I understand that bands evolve. I just think KOL's sound and image have changed for the worse. Some people may like it...I think it sucks.

the original point the OP made couldn't have been more off base. No one cares what kind of lifestyle these guys are living. I'm just disappointed with their music...and the tight jeans don't help either

I agree about the lifestyle thing, way off base....

So you don't like a single song from their last two albums?

yeah, closer and crawl are both good songs. honestly, that's about it