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With 2007's Because of the Times, Kings of Leon ventured out of the garage and into the arena. Tracks like "Black Thumbnail" and "Camaro" were bold, anthemic rock songs that built upon the barnyard stomp of Youth & Young Manhood, and Because of the Times topped the U.K. charts upon its debut, officially crowning the Kings as rock & roll royalty in the process. Only by the Night arrives one year later, marking the band's fastest turnaround between albums; it also furthers the epic sound that Times introduced, flaunting a set of ringing guitars and radio-ready melodies that push the band away from the Allman Brothers' camp. If anything, much of this album takes up residence in U2's cathedral, particularly during the one-two-three punch of "Sex on Fire," "Use Somebody," and "Manhattan." Caleb Followill doesn't adopt Bono's political agenda, but the same sort of uplift exists throughout the record, which -- during its best moments -- rivals Aha Shake Heartbreak as the band's best work to date.
Like many big-sounding albums, Only by the Night is a polarizing piece of work, one that targets new fans at the expense of those who wish Kings of Leon had never shaved their beards or discovered post-'70s rock. To rope in the skeptics, the strongest tracks are pushed toward the album's first half. "Crawl" flexes the band's rock & roll muscle, melding Led Zeppelin-styled crunch with the experimental guitar buzz of U2's Achtung Baby, while "Sex on Fire" makes up for its goofy title with a meteoric chorus tailored to Caleb's voice. (He sounds fantastic throughout the record, even if his vocals continue to be garbled by some untraceable accent, as if he's auditioning for the Jodie Foster role in a Broadway adaptation of Nell.) Rounding out the hit-filled segment are "Use Somebody" and "Manhattan," where Matthew Followill cloaks his guitar riffs in reverb and bassist Jared Followill takes the spotlight sporadically, popping up for quick melodic fills before ducking back into the mix. While past Kings of Leon albums concerned themselves with alcohol, women, and other hedonistic themes, those two songs are nothing but pop/rock grandeur, and Caleb howls their hopeful lyrics like Bono's American-born cousin. Only by the Night focuses on textures and experimentation during the album's latter half, but most songs still deliver some sort of Technicolor melody, from "Notion" (one of the only tracks featuring piano) to the unexpected chorus of "Be Somebody." Taken as a whole, Only by the Night targets the audience that approved Kings of Leon's sonic shift in 2007, leaving older fans free to damn these tracks for their consciously grand approach. Yes, the album is indebted to U2. Yes, it briefly veers close to the same territory occupied by Meat Loaf and Journey, if only in the unchecked passion of Caleb's voice ("It's still the greatest! The greatest!"). But Only by the Night is still a potent Kings of Leon record, and the guys have never defined their ambition so clearly before. ~ Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide
Like many big-sounding albums, Only by the Night is a polarizing piece of work, one that targets new fans at the expense of those who wish Kings of Leon had never shaved their beards or discovered post-'70s rock. To rope in the skeptics, the strongest tracks are pushed toward the album's first half. "Crawl" flexes the band's rock & roll muscle, melding Led Zeppelin-styled crunch with the experimental guitar buzz of U2's Achtung Baby, while "Sex on Fire" makes up for its goofy title with a meteoric chorus tailored to Caleb's voice. (He sounds fantastic throughout the record, even if his vocals continue to be garbled by some untraceable accent, as if he's auditioning for the Jodie Foster role in a Broadway adaptation of Nell.) Rounding out the hit-filled segment are "Use Somebody" and "Manhattan," where Matthew Followill cloaks his guitar riffs in reverb and bassist Jared Followill takes the spotlight sporadically, popping up for quick melodic fills before ducking back into the mix. While past Kings of Leon albums concerned themselves with alcohol, women, and other hedonistic themes, those two songs are nothing but pop/rock grandeur, and Caleb howls their hopeful lyrics like Bono's American-born cousin. Only by the Night focuses on textures and experimentation during the album's latter half, but most songs still deliver some sort of Technicolor melody, from "Notion" (one of the only tracks featuring piano) to the unexpected chorus of "Be Somebody." Taken as a whole, Only by the Night targets the audience that approved Kings of Leon's sonic shift in 2007, leaving older fans free to damn these tracks for their consciously grand approach. Yes, the album is indebted to U2. Yes, it briefly veers close to the same territory occupied by Meat Loaf and Journey, if only in the unchecked passion of Caleb's voice ("It's still the greatest! The greatest!"). But Only by the Night is still a potent Kings of Leon record, and the guys have never defined their ambition so clearly before. ~ Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide
more albums by this artist
See all-
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- Because Of The Times
- Released 2007
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- Holy Roller Novocaine
- Released 2003
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- Aha Shake Heartbreak
- Released 2005
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- Youth And Young Manhood
- Released 2003
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listener reviews
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- By prodbvts
- 9/15/2009 07:39:54
- fdfsdffsdfdsf
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Right On the Money
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- By BradfordRose
- 9/3/2009 21:27:11
- Every Album that KOL produces is like another chapter in there never ending novel. But this novel you can never seam to put down because of the sound and the vocals that draw you in. Their first ablum Youth And Young Manhood started you off with a quick and catchy song Red Morning Light. This Song was used by EA in there 2004 intallment of FIFA as the intro song. Then you have Happy Alone and Wasting Time Both telling stories that you can't but listen to multiple times just to get the whole picture that Caleb is painting. Joe's Head and Trani are the same deal. California Waiting is spot on for telling about how life in the rich and famous world is so fast paced and perfect to work. Molly Chambers is another catchy song that tells one of those stories that sticks in your head all day. VW Used this song for there Re-designed Jetta commerical. Genius is case and point what its name says you become famous and this is what your life becomes. Like Caleb says you can't even go to the bathroom with out someones help !! So as I stated before every album just builds on there talents to string together these awesome stories and pictures that you can't but listen to day after day and not get bored with !!!!!!
- 1 out of 1 people
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set the mood
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- By jaybot582
- 6/18/2009 15:32:05
- everyone is caught up in sex on fire but closer has to be the definitive song on this album from the beginning to end
- 1 out of 1 people
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Very unique music to find
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- By DBoozer
- 6/14/2009 18:22:11
- When I first heard Sex On Fire, I got really into this new kind of rock & singing. These guys are the next best band. Caleb really went all out on this album. I am really looking forward for their future album's & concerts. Me & my best friend got really into their first track Closer. Its one of the best songs I heard in my life. This album gets my two thumbs up! Music like this you can never get tired of listening to.
- 2 out of 3 people
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Hot Stuff
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- By Musicloverkathy
- 4/1/2009 01:38:57
- I'm glad you folks like these guys. Reviewers don't seem to be crazy about them. I find their voices and their music to be wonderfully quirky and intense. The last cd was a bit less raw I thought, but still quirky enough to be interesting.
And Sex On fire really is... - 3 out of 3 people
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Killer!
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- By BPockl
- 3/14/2009 17:31:11
- A real album worth buying. KOL brought back good ol' rock-n-roll !!!
- 3 out of 3 people
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Mainstream offering from KOL.
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- By mikeymusicman1
- 12/9/2008 14:01:26
- Upon first
listen, it grabs you and demands your full attention, and to be honest it’s the
least you can give it. Musically stunning, it conjures up images of beautiful
people in open-top convertibles cruising down the desert highway somewhere in Tennessee. Surely that
can only be a good thing?
Lead
single track “Sex On Fire” bristles and pushes your very soul forward like a
steaming locomotive train, intent on finding love. It’s an immensely powerful
song and well worthy as the lead single.
Following
a very different mood is the brilliant “Use Somebody” whose shoe gazing beauty
and essence, punctuates the album when it’s most needed.
One
possible downside to “Only By The Night” is that it is similar to “Because Of
The Times” further instating their promise to become the biggest band in the
world. Every song is colossal and at the same time touching, which ultimately
promises them a space in a lot of people’s hearts. You could be forgiven for
thinking “Manhattan”
was on “Because Of The Times” but it’s the perfectly drenched melodies and
delightfully off- beat drumming that make this band so addictive and enjoyable
to listen to.
“Revelry”
is possibly the greatest song that Bruce Springsteen never recorded. Honest,
raw and poignant, the song is made by Caleb Followill and his ability to
conjure up images of regret and pain in his remarkable voice. Although it is a
commercial, stadium rock friendly album, it’s hard to slate it, and it will get
the Kings even more new fans.
Every time
you listen to “Only By The Night” you find new layers and meanings behind the
songs and it’s the most rewarding album you’ll hear all year. - 1 out of 1 people
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Amazing
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- By breakthestage
- 11/14/2008 15:31:45
- This album is beyond amazing. I've been with KOL since the start, but this was something different and it blew me away.
Take a listen, it'll be worth it.
and they're even better live!
:D - 2 out of 3 people
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Growing
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- By thegrandwazoo09
- 11/3/2008 23:10:08
- Its gotta be one of the best releases this year, cant believe they didn't put 'Frontier City' (hidden track in UK) on the album its a tune! Its not my favourite Leon album but it keeps growing on me. Well done boys!
- 1 out of 2 people
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Sit and take a listen...
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- By Loloforme
- 10/17/2008 21:36:16
- I have never heard of this album but I saw that it was at the second best selling album. I was able to listen to 30 seconds of each song and honestly that was enough for me to want to buy the c.d. This album is rock but with soul. At least the singer was able to grab me and make me stop and listen to his story that he's trying' to tell. This is the first c.d. I ever bought with never hearing their name or any of their songs!! It's at least a worth listening to (but I doubt that's all you'll do!) =D
- 1 out of 1 people
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- 1 - 10 / 12
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