Kings Of Leon - Because Of The Times (CD)

All Music Guide

Leaning even further toward a kind of postpunk meets prog rock aesthetic than on their first two albums, Nashvillebased Kings of Leon have crafted a darker, less poporiented and somewhat cerebral affair with 2007's Because of the Times. In fact, if Alan Parsons lent the Allman Brothers his spaceship, Because of the Times would be the resulting space odyssey. While that leads to some intriguing moments, the general move away from strong, hooky choruses to a focus on expansive, intricate and percussive arrangements may challenge casual and even some longtime fans of the band's catchy, Southern garage rock twang. That said, cuts like the atmospheric and brooding leadoff track "Knocked Up" showcase leadsinger Caleb Followill's growing maturity as a singer and lyricist and bring to mind favorable comparisons to such artists as Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen. Similarly, the moody single "On Call" as well as the roiling, dramatic "McFearless," while not immediately hummable, do sink into yo...ur memory revealing layers of melody and emotion on repeated listens. - Matt Collar, All Music Guide Read more Less