Review: Kings Of Leon - Only By The Night (2008)

2007’s engaging “Because Of The Times” proved that Kings Of Leon were capable of meeting the weight of expectation that had been dubiously cast on them since the release of their debut “Youth And Young Manhood” just four years previously. With each successive release the Tennessee boys had matured significantly into the explosive quartet we’d always been promised, and songs of the caliber of “Knocked Up” and “Charmer” cemented their claim as the best new American band Britain never produced. Unfortunately their latest release, “Only By The Night” is an inconsistent proposition that swiftly clips the wings from their inspired ascent. Singer/guitarist Caleb Followill pursues a sense of cloying alienation and angst, wallowing in wailing imagery that verges on hideous self pity. Of course, Rock stars routinely pull the “why me?” card, but the criminal omission from this collection is the spark less musical performance. Whilst the leader trawls the oceans of turmoil, his band fails to match the chemically creative intensity of previous incarnations, resulting in a familiar, if ultimately hollow sound.

The clumsily titled “Sex On Fire” is one of the rare highlights, classically delivered with all KoL’s instinctively driven rhythms and searing guitar lines, it’s possibly the only moment that would deliver the necessary gusto to the arena sized audiences the band now command. Autopilot employed, the remainder works through unmistakably brooding atmospherics that vaguely bridge the influences so keenly observed throughout their career. “I Want You” follows the tried and trusted Strokes route which has long served the band so effectively, whilst “17”, “Notion” and “Revelry” chase a significant AOR path, perhaps to fulfill their commitment to mass appeal. It’s an album caught in the headlights between attempting to fill widescreen stadium ambitions, whilst trying to maintain the starker character and originality of previous efforts. Many call it a transitional record, a stepping stone to a new phase in their career. Let’s just hope it’s just a mere blip on their so far progressively enjoyable back catalogue.

6.0/10