Kings of Leon produced two of the most recognizable songs of 2008, quite the splash for a band that's been making music together for nearly a decade. Consisting of the three Followill brothers, Caleb, Nathan and Jared, and their cousin Matthew Followill, the group is a family affair. Having found limited success in the UK before 2008 with nine top 40 singles, the band found major success in the U.S. upon the release of ""Sex on Fire,"" the first single from Only by the Night.
Two years later, Kings of Leon are finding success with their latest offering, Come Around Sundown. Possessing an interesting gospel-rock sound, the new record doesn't have the same punch as their previous works, but it is a fantastic listen nonetheless. Combining blues, southern rock and the gospel music young boys heard in the churches where their fathers preached, this record is an homage to where they've come from.
Come Around Sundown is more heavily produced than Kings of Leon's earlier efforts, detracting from the garage rock elements of their sound, but nicely emphasizing the more cohesive sound they have established over the last 10 years. Reminiscent of their first record, Youth & Young Manhood, the record has some of the most passionate vocals Caleb Followill has ever delivered.
The album kicks off on a melancholy note with ""The End."" A haunting guitar melody comes in over a moving bass line, dropping out for the staccato lines of the verse, before coming back in over the wailing chorus. Such a despondent sound for the opening track leaves the listener unsure of what to expect for the rest of the record, as it ends with a hopeful chord, transferring nicely into a much more upbeat second track.
This second track is the first single of the album, released in the U.S. on Sept. 13. ""Radioactive"" opens with an overdriven guitar line and a very Gaslight Anthem-like chord progression. This positive sound is compounded by the impassioned delivery of Followill's vocals.
""Pyro"" is another melancholy number, but with a more discernible point. The brothers' father sought a divorce from their mother in 1997, a traumatic event that serves as the inspiration for the song. ""Pyro"" speaks of both loss and leaving. With lines like ""I won't ever be your cornerstone / I don't want to be holding on,"" the song is written from the point of view of the brothers' father and gives his reasons for leaving. ""Pyro"" doesn't have any anger to it, which is surprising considering the boys were all in their early teens when the divorce happened.
""Beach Side"" is cheerful compared to the rest of the Come Around Sundown. Musically traditional, the song features a moving bass line and lead guitar part as well as a moving vocal line. These typical building blocks contribute to a very straightforward and repetitive song, but the sheer novelty of the sound makes it worth a couple listens.
""Pony Up"" opens perfectly with only the bass playing, building slowly with drums and guitar until finally vocals and a muted guitar join the orchestra. Unfortunately, the bulk of the song has a '90s feel to it, making it seem a little dated. Although ""Pony Up"" had a promising introduction, all it leads into is the most disappointing song on the album.
Only two of the album's songs directly address women, one of which is ""Pickup Truck."" A slow and lumbering ode to a woman with multiple suitors, the song is an apology for Caleb Followill's actions. ""Pickup Truck"" is starkly different from ""Mary,"" the other track that address a girl. In Mary,"" Caleb Followill plays the role of the other man. These two songs provide an interesting contrast, examining two different arenas of the emotional spectrum on opposite ends of the record.
Come Around Sundown may not have the same kick as some of the earlier Kings of Leon records, but it is certainly one of their stronger efforts. More sleek and smooth than earlier efforts, this record is less grating and more melodic, a nice change of pace for a traditionally edgy band.
