Kings of Leon - Concert Review

Kings of Leon
Roseland Ballroom
NYC
10/8/05

By Tina Whelski

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Kings of Leon already have been hailed in the U.K. There, mane-tossing brothers Caleb, Jared and Nathan Followill -- lead vocalist/guitarist, bassist and drummer, respectively -- and lead guitarist cousin Matthew Followill enjoy platinum status for their current album, "Aha Shake Heartbreak," and their first release, "Youth & Young Manhood." If their show Monday at Roseland was an indicator, the U.S. will soon throw the Tennessee family a similar coronation.

Home-schooled for the lion’s share of their formative years and traveling from church to church and town to town with their preacher father, the brothers formed a tight unit that’s reflected in their musical bond. Converting idiomatic phrases of 1960s garage sounds and ’70s spirit into their own concoction of 200-proof rock, Kings of Leon barreled through some of their best songs.

In "The Bucket," Kings of Leon demonstrated how easily they navigate changes in feel and arrangement. "Soft" evoked a summertime ’70s vibe, like driving in a Nova, windows down, listening to AM radio with all your troubles miles behind you. "Milk" gave away their Southern roots and showed how well they trim parts down to work together through rhythms.

Caleb’s burned, slurry drawl and gravelly toned scowl were featured most prominently on "Pistol of Fire" and "Taper Jean Girl." The band also performed "Rememo," a waltz with a hangover; "Four Kicks," a shuffle where Caleb played chords for Matthew to answer with a boogie; and "Trani," where the band’s chord progressions hinted at their church music influences. The line, "Lord’s gonna get us back," from "Holy Roller Novocaine," one of their encores, sealed their religious sentiments with an amen to their hard-living lifestyles. Kings of Leon said goodbye with the twangy guitar intro and very Who-like instrumentation of "Slow Night, So Long."

While the band sounds a little bit like everybody, it also sounds like nobody. Kings of Leon learned their classics well, and their arrangements move out of the ordinary. Someone in the audience captured the show’s mood perfectly when he shouted out a very pleased, "Whee!"

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter