The new album shreds it! They will of course be at SXSW. More here… http://www.austinist.com/archives/2007/02/12/austinist_interviews_sxsw_lions_in_the_street.php

hell yeah! KOL rule, thanks for giving them the jump!

50s and 60s? I dunno. I’d probably go with a more evolved 90s grunge feel, simply because nobody in the 50s or 60s was using power chords–or bass lines, for that matter (the best feature of the record)–the way they’re used here. Listen to earlier Nirvana, or established releases from bands like Mudhoney and the Afghan Whigs, then listen to Because of the Times. You’ll hear that stuff poking through for most of it.

Can’t say I’m not excited about that, though…this is the first release from Kings of Leon that makes me think they can stick around, comfortably, for a decade or more.

Remember when U2 was making dance music? God, that was so cool.

Carmel the Intern: I bet you can guess who this is.

I agree, to an extent (and you do have more experience picking out influences than me:), but I’m also sticking to my gut insticts on this one. Bet you something delicious that they spent some serious time with the beatles, etc., during production. Then again, what band doesn’t spend time with the beatles… but I still hear it.

I just stumbled upon this article, and i am SUPER JEALOUS!! i cant believe you got “because of the times” early! i am countring the seconds until i can get my hands on it! I live for KOL!!!!

I’m sick of people praising this garbage record. KOL had their own sound which was amazing…this is processed, over-produced shit that i would never have expected.

Why is it when a band makes a record that sounds more polished than previous efforts, old fans instantly pick that quality above all others as to why it sucks?

I hate it when the bass is nice and full and you can hear all the guitar parts and the drums sound fucking money too. Those guys sold out even though all their records have been on RCA? The only way you’d like this record is if it were recorded with a tin can and string and sounded exactly like Youth and Young Manhood part two? Go ahead and ignore the fact that the band has continued to write really excellent songs through 3 albums and tour their asses off.

You don’t have the ears to hear quality songwriting and craftsmanship when it knocks you on the head. So keep trucking along with your BS argument and miss out on an excellent record – which is made to be enjoyed rather than critiqued anyway. Besides, you’ll change your mind when Pitchfork or some other stupid blog gives it the OK for indie kids to like.

New KOL is quite a good listen.

I don’t wanna argue much the numerous qualities or the negative criticisms of those in opposition to KOL’s new release. Hear the new album and enjoy it for yourself, it’s a great experience. In my opinion, any forward moving, forward thinking artist should improve and build upon their craft over time in any chosen medium, music, photography, painting etc., so it should come as no surprise that this album is an improvement and a shift in some areas of their sound, it’s great, it moved me. There is a fullness to this album. I thought the album was supposed to come out on April 3rd? I purchased the album on iTunes this morning when I stumbled upon it accidentally, (is this an iTunes mistake?) my heart about stopped, this will hold me over until next week when I can scurry up the bills to buy the CD. Many might argue the refinement of their sound on this album, it’s just improvement, progression, whatever you wish to define it as. I’m definitely scoring tickets for their show at the Ogden Theater in Denver in May.

KOL, Because of the Times, you must have this album.

Im diggin the new LP but it took a few listens!!! I do miss that balls out raw sound of the other materials tho! Worth the wait!