Kings Of Leon
Holy Roller Novocaine

THE REVIEW

Let's start with the names: Caleb, Jared, Nathan, and Matthew. Biblical.
Three brothers, sons of a "preacher man." And a cousin.
Put together, they don't even reach 80 years old. Moreover, they come from Tennessee, and for this alone, the four "young kings" deserve the humble devotion of the writer (Tennessee = Jack Daniels).

The Kings of Leon (named in honor of their late grandfather) seem to have arrived in 2003 on a time machine directly from Woodstock.
With their beards, long hair, and torn bell bottoms, KoL look at "this" world with wide-eyed curiosity and impatience.

"Holy Roller Novocaine," their debut EP, fully reflects this attitude. The lyrics speak of adolescent fantasies and erections, the desire to see and "experience" the world - in technicolor, though more "dangerous" - that exists beyond that parish security so familiar to them.

With a sound heavily inspired by '70s blues/rock, and winking at the Doors' "L.A. Woman," the result is decidedly entertaining.
"Stetsons, cowboy boots, and a nice 'ride' with a resounding 'Yuppiayee!!!' in a motel, in the middle of the desert, Wild at Heart, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Teachings of Don Juan, The Lizard King, Jack on the Rocks."
This is what the three tracks on the EP bring to mind.

Easy, sexy, and in their own way, melodic, without ever becoming sappy. Fast and engaging rhythms.

The perfect soundtrack for a road trip through the deep South.
A promising start, though certainly not yet shouting "innovative genius."
KoL are very young and undoubtedly still need to find an individual sound; the talent seems to be there. The same goes for what is called "looking the part."

"Holy Roller Novocaine," nine minutes and forty-one seconds of easy rock'n'roll, to listen to with a bit of spirit and relaxation.
And while you're at it, make love not war. x