Kings Of Leon - Because Of The Times (2007)

Kings of Leon is an American rock band that formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2000.  The band's early music was a blend of Southern rock and blues influences, but it has gradually expanded throughout the years to include a variety of genres and a more alternative, arena rock sound.

Leaning even further toward a kind of post-punk meets prog rock aesthetic than on their first two albums, Nashville-based Kings of Leon have crafted a darker, less pop-oriented 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 lead-off track "Knocked Up" showcase lead-singer 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" and the roiling, dramatic "McFearless," while not immediately hummable, do sink into your memory, revealing layers of melody and emotion on repeated listens.

01. "Knocked Up"  - 7:10
02. "Charmer"  - 2:56
03. "On Call"  - 3:21
04. "McFearless"  - 3:09
05. "Black Thumbnail"  - 4:00
06. "My Party"  - 4:10
07. "True Love Way"  - 4:02
08. "Ragoo"  - 3:00
09. "Fans"  - 3:35
10. "The Runner"  - 4:16
11. "Trunk"  - 3:57
12. "Camaro"  - 3:09
13. "Arizona"   4:50

US iTunes, Japanese and deluxe edition bonus track
14. "My Third House"  - 4:03

UK iTunes bonus track
15. "On Call (AOL Music Sessions)"  - 3:21

Companies, etc. 
Phonographic Copyright (p) – RCA Records
Copyright (c) – RCA Records
Distributed By – Sony BMG Music Entertainment
Recorded At – Blackbird Studio
Mixed At – Blackbird Studio
Recorded At – Sunset Sound
Mixed At – Sunset Sound
Mastered At – Sterling Sound

Credits 
A&R – Steve Ralbovsky
Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals – Jared Followill
Drums, Backing Vocals – Nathan Followill
Engineer [Second] – Clifton Allen, Lowell Reynolds
Guitar – Matthew Followill
Guitar, Vocals, Backing Vocals – Caleb Followill
Management – Andy Mendelsohn, Ken Levitan
Mastered By – Ted Jensen
Producer – Angelo Petraglia, Ethan Johns
Written-By – Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill, Nathan Followill

Notes
Released: March 30, 2007
Recorded: 2006 at Blackbird in Nashville; Sunset Sound in Hollywood
Genre: Alternative rock, garage rock, Southern rock
Length: 59:04

Label - HandMeDown, RCA 

Kings Of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak (2004)

Kings of Leon is a Grammy winning American rock band that formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 1999. The band is composed of brothers Anthony Caleb Followill (b. January 14, 1982, lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Ivan Nathan Followill (b. June 26, 1979, drums, percussion, backing vocals) and Michael Jared Followill (b. November 20, 1986, bass guitar, backing vocals), with their cousin Cameron Matthew Followill (b. September 10, 1984, lead guitar, backing vocals).

"Aha Shake Heartbreak" is the second studio album by American rock band Kings of Leon. It's the only album by Kings of Leon to have a Parental Advisory. The cover is reminiscent of Queen's A Night at the Opera. The mysterious Followill family returns to the front porch/garage on the Kings of Leon's engaging sophomore effort, "Aha Shake Heartbreak". On Youth & Young Manhood, the Kings gave Southern rock a swift kick in the rear, sounding like Lynyrd Skynyrd posing as a bunch of N.Y.U. film students (or vice versa). For their latest, the Nashville quartet raises a flag that's equal parts Confederate and Union Jack. Their success in the U.K. is understandable, as Caleb Followill's lazy drawl sounds like a cross between Bon Scott, Ray Davies, and Eddie Money with a slight Jamaican accent, but it's their seamless and agreeable blend of rock & roll, country, and Roky Erickson-style psychedelia, matched with a keen lyrical wit, that makes them fascinating to both sides of the pond. On the twenty-something barfly opener "Slow Night, So Long," Caleb laments/celebrates the soulless dance of the one-night stand ("She's opened up just like she really knows me/I hate her face, but enjoy the company") like a true student of outlaw country. It's a theme that runs rampant throughout Heartbreak, and whether it's set against a swamp-sick boogie ("Pistol of Fire") or emitted through a lonesome yodel ("Day Old Blues"), it resonates as clear and cool as the opening notes of a Creedence Clearwater Revival tune. The original UK/Ireland version of the album featured a black cover and an orchid, whereas the later US version featured a white background with a different kind of orchid. The album also contains the bonus track "Where Nobody Knows".


01.  "Slow Night, So Long"   - 3:54
02.  "King of the Rodeo "  - 2:25
03.  "Taper Jean Girl"  - 3:05
04.  "Pistol of Fire"  - 2:20
05.  "Milk"   - 4:00
06.  "The Bucket"   - 2:55
07.  "Soft"  - 2:59
08.  "Razz"    - 2:15
09.  "Day Old Blues"  - 3:33
10.  "Four Kicks"  - 2:09
11.  "Velvet Snow"    - 2:11
12.  "Rememo"   - 3:23
13.  "Where Nobody Knows [Bonus Track]   - 2:24

Released:  November 1, 2004 (UK, Ireland), February 22, 2005 (U.S.)
Recorded:  April–June 2004 at Three Crows Studio, Los Angeles, California
Genre:  Garage rock, Southern rock
Length:  37:36
Label:  RCA, HandMeDown Records
Producer:  Ethan Johns

Credits
Anthony Caleb - lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Ivan Nathan Followill - drums, percussion, backing vocals
Michael Jared Followill - bass guitar, backing vocals
Cameron Matthew Followill - lead guitar, backing vocals