Long live the Kings
Last week I had the privilege of meeting the editor of Mojo at a party. And there is something about the company of someone who is by definition "cool" that can make you feel by derivation not. Don't get me wrong -I love music. But when faced with a member of music's intelligentsia that is precisely my cred killer. Music elites love to hate. They thrive on labelling artists as "pretentious" or "a sellout" or "a hack." Music elites like the stuff that normal people don't know they hate, but would likely hate if they ever heard it (which they probably won't).But I was desperate to ask Mojo man what he thought of Tennessee's Kings of Leon. A band of three brothers and their cousin they squirm free of the "southern Strokes" pigeonhole and completely obliterate every expectation one could have of them. And I am currently addicted to their new album's first single, "On Call" (click here for the video). Not since Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" can I remember a song that's simultaneously sad, haunting and powerfully uplifting. It captures that longing sensation from John Cusack's boombox scene in "Say Anything." I did tell you I was uncool.
And true to expectation, Mojo man wasn't keen on the Kings. He gave a considered answer which I think included the term "chart-friendly", but was lost in my hangover haze. But I remain a staunch fan. Because the need for rock n'roll bands to declare war on clichés has been evident for ages. If you like your Americana raw and passionate, look no further.
UK Tour kicks off Saturday (14 April)
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posted by City Slicker at 11:05 am
13 Comments:
I agree CS
The question is "how good can they get?"
Wow love that single. Remember reading about them. Will check out the album now on MySpace. Thanks CS. And too funny about Say Anything. The 80s rocked.
first i have heard of them
i dont really get rock
they are playing lollapalooza this year!
Really got into their first album
Single sounds good.
Concerts all sold out unless you want to pay £65 :-(
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Am I the only one who still thinks they're fashion whores? This track reeks of post-punk clichés that have been re-recycled by every band and their moms last year.
Where's all the anonymous hate, internet people? Do you not loathe yourselves anymore?? Decided not to take yourselves so seriously???
They are the best, so why arent they bigger than the rest. I have questionned for a long time their management and label, does anyone else think they're been let down??
It wouldn't be tough to imagine "On Call" sitting alongside "Pistole Of Fire" and "The Bucket" as a sort of slow-driving, booze-soaked rocker -- and it's not the revelation Caleb seems to promise -- but if you've liked the Kings, you'll love it. Nice one Slicky
These songs are so much bigger -- this band is so much better. There was a growth that people thought they heard on Aha Shake Heartbreak from Youth & Young Manhood, but there's no comparison this time out. Lovin it Slickster
No Sya Anything isn't cool but you must love the 80s!
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