The Kings of Leon's ONLY BY THE NIGHT

It’s true the Kings of Leon have come a long way since the deep Southern rock of debut album Youth and Young Manhood in 2003, and fourth album Only by the Night, released September 2008, showcases all of those changes. The three Followill brothers and their cousin grew up musically sheltered, and have only recently discovered post-punk, arena rock, and alternative rock. These influences live and breathe in Only by the Night.
Opening “Closer” sports an electronic synthesizer reminiscent of psychedelic rock and dream pop, weaving in and out of post-punk inspired guitars. Caleb’s wounded vocals and aimless, melancholy tone come straight from indie rock. It’s also clear that Caleb’s lyricism has become more sophisticated and moved away from Youth and Young Manhood’s raw sexuality and focus on—in a word—women.
“Crawl” comes from the school of British grunge such as Oasis and Blur, with the buzzing guitars of alternative garage rock and an equally swaggering bass line. “Sex on Fire” is pure, polished rock, and the album’s most successful single. “Use Somebody” is possibly the best song on the album, and Caleb’s layered, echoing voice is taken straight from Bono and the arena rockers. “Manhattan” is laid back rock, with a particularly sunny, stirring bass line.
“Revelry” is a true return to Southern rock roots and country, and certainly an album highlight. “17” and “Notion” are continuations of this trend, though less country and more rock with some nice bells added at the opening. “I Want You” returns to alternative sound, placing much less emphasis on guitars and relying much more heavily on drums and bass. “Be Somebody” is a strange little experimental creature, and we finish off with the almost-indie ballad “Cold Desert,” a lyrical masterpiece whose words read like poetry.
One can easily identify the Kings’ influences, but it’s tough to label them like anyone else. They create a masterful blend of rock taken to new places in an era when no one thought it possible.
If rock is going in any direction, this is it.

-elln