The pride and joy of Franklin, Tennessee Kings of Leon have returned with their much anticipated, brand new album Come Around Sundown. The follow up to 2008's massively successful Only By The Night finds the group experimenting with some gospel and country tinged influences in their music this time around, while at the same time displaying their Southern flavored rock roots that has made them America's premier rock n roll band today.
The album starts off with "The End", a cool, laid back jam that brilliantly displays frontman Caleb Followill's deep and breathtaking vocals that adds an element of authenticity to the music that sets this music apart from that of other musicians. The disc's soaring first single, "Radioactive" is a electric infused rocker that showcases lead guitarist Matthew Followill's incredibly skilled guitar licks and features a gospel choir heard distinctly in the background towards the end of the song. "Pyro" is a melodic, mid tempo number that once again takes center stage for Caleb's vocals to do all their magic and release this song into the public consciousness. "The Face" is a melancholy, straight forward rocker that sticks to the script and never veers off course with its mysterious guitar riffs and potent rhythms. "The Immortals" is a melodic, rhythmic rocker that once again leaves Caleb in charge of the vocals, which seem to match perfectly in sync with the overall mood of the song.
The disc's second half starts off with "Back Down South", my favorite song off the album. The song is a truly Southern inspired gem that features country inspired rhythms and brilliant guitar riffs that set this song apart from all the others on the album. "No Money" reminds me of some of the songs from 2005's Aha Shake Heartbreak, my personal favorite Kings of Leon album, anthemic and one that makes you feel that they're right in front of you, performing a private concert just for you to see. "Pony Up" features a brilliant bass performance from Jared Followill. and blends together a host of different instruments that might sound a little unusual at first, but end up working pretty well together in the long run. The disc begins to draw to a close with "Mi Amigo", a cool, laid back jam that is the perfect song to wind down your day after a long day at school or work. "Pickup Truck" winds out the disc with probably the best vocal work I've heard from Caleb out of all the songs on the album. The song is powerful, on point, and is guaranteed to have you listening until the very end. When they first came out back in 2003 with Youth & Young Manhood, I wasn't particularly impressed with the music upon first listen and I didn't really hear too much in the music for me to enjoy thoroughly. It wasn't until Aha Shake Heartbreak came out in 2005 and the song "Taper Jean Girl" totally did it for me and from that moment, I was officially cemented as a Kings of Leon fan and I really grew to love and appreciate Kings of Leon as musicians and in my opinion, these guys are the true embodiment of rock n roll today.
To sum it all up, a sensational effort from brothers Nathan, Caleb, Jared, and Matthew Followill who have crafted a sonic gem that continues to build up their legacy as one of America's best bands out there today and one that we'll be hearing much more from for some time to come.
Album Score: 4/5
Track Listing:
- The End
- Radioactive
- Pyro
- Mary
- The Face
- The Immortals
- Back Down South
- Beach Side
- No Money
- Pony Up
- Birthday
- Mi Amigo
- Pickup Truck
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