Over the course of three albums, Kings of Leon have worn their undigested influences on their rangy, sleeveless arms. Sure, this is partly born of a supremely unambitious approach, but the result is a rare, uncomplicated rock pleasure. 2005's Aha Shake Heartbreak has endured several years into the blog era, while "The Bucket" even recently earned an of-the-moment CSS remix. And the blatant Pixies aping of "Charmer" from 2007's underrated Because of the Times couldn't be more beguilingly in love with Frank Black if a team of alienated '90s teens sang or screamed it. Sadly, Kings' fourth record, Only by the Night, is mostly an arena-rock aberration. The band members need to write spacious, grandiose songs designed for British festivals, or the Killers will usurp them. But stadium-scale drama doesn't suit their strengths. "Crawl" is a great single, singer Caleb Followill drawling over fuzzy Brit-bombast. But "Closer," "Use Somebody," and "Be Somebody" could work only at giant concerts: Through headphones or computer speakers, his echoey vocals just don't sound credible. The group's Black-Crowes-go-new-wave choruses feel unearned after tiresome, oversung verses. Kings of Leon's efforts to expand their sound are admirable, but sticking to a smaller scale will give the band a better chance at enduring. That, or they should just go ahead and actually work with Sitek next time, finally unleashing their '70s stoner epic: the psych-rock masterpiece the Allmans never made.
Tue., May 19, 5 p.m., 2009
[
{
"name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
"component": "18478561",
"insertPoint": "2",
"requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
},{
"name": "Editor Picks",
"component": "16759093",
"insertPoint": "4",
"requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
},{
"name": "Inline Links",
"component": "17980324",
"insertPoint": "8th",
"startingPoint": 8,
"requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
"maxInsertions": 25
},{
"name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
"component": "16759092",
"insertPoint": "8th",
"startingPoint": 8,
"requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
"maxInsertions": 25
},{
"name": "Inline Links",
"component": "17980324",
"insertPoint": "8th",
"startingPoint": 12,
"requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
"maxInsertions": 24
},{
"name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
"component": "16759094",
"insertPoint": "8th",
"startingPoint": 12,
"requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
"maxInsertions": 24
}
]
BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Phoenix New Times has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Phoenix New Times has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.
Trending
Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our
terms of use,
our cookies policy, and our
privacy policy
The Phoenix New Times may earn a portion of sales from products & services purchased through links on our site from our affiliate partners.
©2024
Phoenix New Times, LLC. All rights reserved.
Do Not Sell or Share My Information
Do Not Sell or Share My Information
