 "Photo: Kings of Leon")
Breaking out of the indie rock scene and slowly incorporating themselves into the music mainstream, Kings of Leon introduce a unique, individual sound that pays tribute to older rock bands while still pushing modern rock forward and maintaining a physical look appealing to progressive rockers, older rockers and grunge lovers of the 90s. The quartet of this Nashville-born Followill family (brothers Nathan, Caleb, Jared and first cousin Matthew) break out of the mold of remakes, with controversy-inspired music and over-saturation on the radio, the popular fad of the current outbreak of music, with google-required lyrics that resonates happiness and lively energy with every note and strum of the guitar.
Introduced to me originally by a friend, the raw intensity of the band is what first struck me in addition to not being able to understand a single word that band was saying. Through a hilarious exchange of dialogue about what the band was saying, we found ourselves laughing attempting to mimic the sounds Nathan Followill created in the track song "Charmer" from the latest album, "Because of the Times." In the weeks following this small, night-inspired car jam session, the Kings of Leon became a regular on both my personal play list and a regular band introduced to my friends around me.
The Kings of Leon are growing in popularity mostly in the U.K. but has hit important milestones in the American musical culture. Being on of the band roster of Bonaroo 2007, Kings of Leon played for thousands of music pilgrims in the three-day festival. However, more importantly, Kings of Leon has attained a degree of commercial success.
The most recent December yearbook issue of Rolling Stone magazine featured many well-known common knowledge artists, with new artist Kala scoring the number one album of the year. I always love panning through each of the albums to see what was considered a success as a whole through the year. Most of the names on the list are quite recognizable, with Jay-Z's latest, "American Gangster," taking the number three position (however, he is worth a nod for scoring number one song of the year, "Roc Boys.") I scanned through, taking the time on some to read the small insert included with each band and passing some by. On a list that contains the popular, renowned and/or controversial names of Linkin Park, Paul McCartney, Mary J. Blige, Amy Whinehouse, Nine Inch Nails and the ever-so-conversation starter Britney Spears, I was pushed into denial to see the number 31 entry, "Because of the Times" by Kings of Leon. My heart raced as I read the insert, reveling in the success of a new favorite band and hoping that their music spreads like a plague across the nation.
The main appeal of Kings of Leon is their sounds-- a strong rhythm, a memorable beat, and an energy that is lacking in other recording artists. Controversy and tabloid fodder seems to be the driving force behind songs, as artists dedicate entire albums to their personal hatred and annoyance of the paparazzi and press stalking them. But it is very refreshing to find a group of Southern boys who are willing to just be the music they play, to remind us what music is meant to be -- a spiritual experience through an assembly of lyrics and guitar strums.
Life is about the experience of the world and once in a while we need a band to help us slow down and remember what it means to groove with friends or the beauty of sitting unbathed at a festival for three days just to hear one band play, and Kings of Leon has inspired many like myself to do just that.
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