The Best of ‘08: Kings of Leon – ‘Only By The Night’
At the end of every year folks like to make their “best of” lists, so I figured why I shouldn’t join in on the festivities. But, I figured I’ll keep things simple with the best album of 2008.
This honor would go to Kings of Leon’s Only By The Night.
I’ve been a casual fan of KOL since their 2003 debut Youth & Young Manhood. Over the years I’ve watched them gain mild success, but for the most part, they were one of those bands that no one had really heard of, at least here in the States.
When I found out that their fourth album was coming out, I knew that I would pick it up, but I wasn’t counting down the days with excitement. But, after I got my hands on a copy of Only By The Night, I couldn’t let it go. This album was easily one of the best albums that I heard not only this year, but in a long time. I couldn’t stop listening to it, actually I still can’t.
I would have never expected such a great album from KOL, not that they were a bad band. Like I said, I was a casual fan, but I could only take so much of KOL. I don’t know, maybe they were a little too raw for my taste.
After listening to the opening track “Closer”, which makes me just want to tremble in it’s Zeppelin like eeriness, I knew that these guys made something special. Then the album goes up a notch with “Crawl”, a dirty song rooted in Southern rock standards, followed by the first single “Sex on Fire”. Then there’s the newest single “Use Somebody” with those catchy backing vocals. Or, how about the roller coaster ride that is “17″. Or, my favorite track “Cold Desert”, with one of my favorite lines ever in a song…”Jesus don’t love me, no one’s ever carried my load, I’m too young too feel this old”.
What makes Only By The Night so fucking good is that KOL recorded an album so fresh that it stands out among it’s peers, yet, it fully embraces it’s influences. You can defiantly hear echoes of songs before, but you don’t have to worry about KOL getting sued for plagiarism, like some other band that had an album come out this year.
Another great thing about this album is how it came out of practically no where.
KOL did a great job in promoting Only By The Night. They gave “Crawl” away to fans in July, then they released the catchy “Sex On Fire” as the album’s first single. They also recorded several home movies for fans to watch on their website. They also went on the road, opening up for Pearl Jam on a few dates in June, appearing at the inaugural All Point West Festival, and hitting Europe. The result was a number one album in the UK and Australia, as well as, a number five debut in the U.S., which was the band’s highest debut.
After listening to Only By The Night for pretty much three consecutive months non stop, I can and will proudly stamp it as the best album of 2008. I can’t wait to see what KOL are going to do next. I expect big things from the Tennessee natives. I’ll go as far to say that I feel that KOL are the band to save rock ‘n’ roll.
Keep up the great work boys.
Image via Wikipedia
