Kings Of Leon
Youth & Young Manhood

THE REVIEW

A sharp and engaging rock'n'roll.
This is essentially the content of the debut album by Kings Of Leon, a band composed of three brothers and a cousin who go by the names of Jared, Caleb, Nathan, and Matthew Followill.
Everything suggests that their sound and appearance are directly derived from the 1970s. Firstly, their look, which is decidedly '70s. Flared trousers, beards, and long hair. Everything points to that era.
But it would be ridiculous to narrow the '70s down to these symbolic characteristics. Indeed, that period also witnessed a lot of good music. And the Kings Of Leon are protagonists of this. Namely, a lot of good music.

Among the first tracks ("Red Morning Light," "Happy Alone," and "Wasted Time" above all) it becomes evident how the simple, pure, and direct rock'n'roll is what the band was eager to create, successfully achieving it with good results. Occasionally, there are also small guitar virtuosos from which the distinct inspiration from the greatest "guitar heroes" of that era can be perceived.
Already in "Trani," it is noticeable how even the blues (with a typical Doors-Creedence imprint) is among the main inspirations for the band. Pure rock-blues that the band manages to perform with decided ease, reaching the top in "Molly's Chambers" and "Dusty." Here, guitar and bass sections complement each other, giving the album a truly impactful blues sound.

For a band that seems straight out of the film "Almost Famous," a debut album that bodes well for the future. Simple and direct rock'n'roll but never raw, clichéd, nor - least of all - demanding. All of it infused with a good dose of blues that has decidedly placed them among the best debuting bands of 2003.

"You want it
She's got it
Molly's Chambers gonna change your mind"