Kings of Leon | Radioactive | Video

It's prolly time for me to let go of KoL sounding like their first two albums and that sonically they've moved on into a more pop-oriented direction. But, upon first listen "Radioactive" isn't a bad little number, completely ready for radio and college girl's dorm rooms.

Kings of Morning Television

I'm not sure how I feel about the recent success of Kings of Leon. A part of me is really happy for them, but, part of me wishes they were the greatest band nobody knew about. But, regardless, here's video from their Today Show appearance this morning.

Love The Notion

Looks like the ol' King o' Leon are getting a little better at the whole video thing.  They aren't artistic or meaningful by any mean, they just look more and more like they are shooting for the MTV audience.  

Lykke Li Love KoL

Since I'm keeping late hours these days I got a chance to catch Lykke Li perform her cover of Kings of Leon's "Knocked Up."  I think it's pretty great how musicians are covering songs that aren't that old by artists they admire.  It makes me think this is what it must've been like in the 50s and 60s when bands would do that all the time.  Only, Lykke's version doesn't suck as bad as Pat Boone's "Tootie Fruity."

I also like how Li moves around all Stevie Nicks-like in the vidie.  The girl is fun to look at, I'll give her that... and her voice ain't too bad either.

Kinda Useless Remix

There aren't a whole lot of artists I think don't really need the remix treatment for their songs and Kings of Leon are one of them.  Mark Ronson, the man responsible Amy Winehouse, has remixed "Pistol of Fire" for some unknown reason.  The songs isn't horrible, but, totally un-needed.  It totally takes the energy out of the song and replaces it with faux-vintage R&B horns.  But, the guitar sound he has in there is really cool.  But, have a listen for yourself.

MP3:  Kings of Leon - Pistol of Fire (Mark Ronson Remix)

Local Boys Done Good

So, it's been a good day for the Oklahoma (on-and-off) bred Kings of Leon.  The brothers Followill were nominated for three Grammy's: Best Rock Record for Only By The Night, Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performancy By Duo or Group With Vocals for "Sex on Fire."

On the other hand, in an interview with Q Magazine Caleb came off like a total puss.  He said he battled with anorexia at a your age.  Really?  You have a penis, right?  I kid, I kid.  But, he's manned up since then and started drinking and smoking grass.  So, it's all good.

Next subject, I don't know how to classify this version of "Knocked Up."  It's supposedly going to be on the "Use Somebody" single as a B-Side.  It's being called a mash-up, but, it's not really.  Considering Lykke Li sings the actual lyrics of the song.  So, it's not really a mash-up.  A cover tune maybe?  But, what ever you want to call it you can call it good.

MP3:  Kings of Leon vs. Lykke Li - Knocked Up (Rodeo Mash-up)

Use Somebody Video

So, I got an email today that the ol' Kings of Leon premiered the video for "Use Somebody" on Myspace today.  I'm not a Facebooker or MTV watcher, so, I can't really say if it premiered on either of those or not.  But, I think it's funny that you can premiere a video on a website instead of going to MTV.  

If you haven't gone out to get Only By The Night, then you should do so--now!  It's packed with choice cuts and is quite the good album.

Kings of Leon

Apparently I did something I shouldn't have because my post I made about KoL from Wednesday is gone. Poof! But, the show was bad ass and probably the best show of theirs I've seen. I also apparently missed Nathan throwing the upside down horns at the end of the show. Ah, love my Sooner fans.

I met a bunch of great peeps there, and I can't remember their names. But, there were actually a lot of really cool people at the show. Not your typical to cool for school Dallas kids. Oh, and to Bailey the bartender--I love you!

You can read my "Last Night Review" of the show here.

Kings of Leon in OKC

Hey guys, as you may or may not know Kings of Leon are coming to town on Wednesday for a show at the Palladium Ballroom. But, last night they played a kind of "hometown" show in Oklahoma City. So, I wasn't able to go but, a reader, and my brother, did and sent us a pic of the setlist and a rundown of the show. Enjoy!

Last night started off as a first for me: my first Sunday night rock and/or roll show. Me and wifey got there early not just to see We Are Scientist, but to also get a good spot for what would be a “homecoming” for Kings of Leon.

The night started off good, for on our way back from a pre-show dinner at Tap Works in Bricktown back to the Coca-Cola Events Center who did I see? NACHO! Great dude. We talked for about five minutes and I learned that 8 Seconds is his favorite movie. You may wonder why I bring this up. If you’ve seen the movie you’ll know how Lane Frost waves to loved ones in the stands, well in an ode to Lane, Caleb gives the same wave to the crowd at the end of a show. Only on this night he would ferociously throw down with both hands the upside-down Texas Longhorns hand sign. Boomer Sooner indeed!

While I was wanting to see We Are Scientist I was far to anxious to truly enjoy the show, instead I was going to bathroom every fifteen minutes since I wasn’t wise enough to not break the seal at a proper time. But on my way to urination station you had to go by the “V.I.P.” section (in the far back?!?) and see all the Followill’s in attendance. There were about one hundred all told according to my conversation earlier with Nacho. Even if you didn’t know that was for family, you could’ve easily picked them out of the crowd as they were coming in the venue.

Finally the lights went out and the Kings were onstage to an energized crowd ready to see the somewhat hometown boys rips through songs culled from Youth and Young Manhood to the new Only By the Night.

The brothers (and cousin) Followill didn’t waste any time getting down to the nitty gritty. The set started off with “Crawl” (one of my favorite tunes from the new album). There’s just something about a super fuzzed up bass that makes me want to punch someone in the face! It might have been the fact there was a super drunk Native in front of me acting a fool.

One thing I always look for in a rock and/or roll show is not only a good set from the band itself, but a good to great crowd. This crowd was super stoked to see KoL and showed them the love the rest of the country should. The crown was singing along to every song that was laid out before them, just like anyone would do at a Sunday night worship service.

I think the best part for me was – even with all the singing along from the crowd was during “Slow Night, So Long” (which is usually reserved for the encore, but came as the last song in the set) when the crowd was at it’s singing zenith while shouting all in unison, “I’ll take you home, back to Oklahoma!” Truly a great show and powerful energy from beginning to end.

Kings of Leon "Crawl" Video

I'm not really sure if this is official or not. But, being that the Kings posted it on they Myspace I'm sure it is. I guess their 23 home videos in 23 days leading up to the Only By The Night release really inspired them since the footage alternates between their in studio "home movies" and actual home movies.

It's nice to see them at this years Glastonbury Festival and see the masses of Britons who love them some KoL. I wonder why that doesn't happen here?

Frontier City

So, it seems that the bonus track, "Frontier City," from Only By The Night is indeed at least related to the actual Frontier City.  I never went there, it always seemed like the poor man's Six Flags.  However, I have driven past it quite a few times.

I also like how KoL have little odes to Oklahoma.  I wish they would've at least made "Frontier City" a hidden track like they did their last Okie ode "Talahina Sky."

Only By The Night Cover Art

The good folks over at Stereogum.com have the cover art for the European and American versions of Only By The Night.

I like both versions, both are combinations of a bunch of birds, and faces.  Also, I've heard one of the new songs off Only By The Night called "Closer."  It's downtempo and a little more like the songs of Because of The Times.  I would post it, but, I don't want to get sued by their label.  But, you can get it here.

KoL Home Movies...Still!

I told you the other day that Kings of Leon have the home movies going on.  I neglected to tell you that they are going to post 23 of them, one every day until the record comes out.  If you're a fan of the Kings then you'll dig it.  It's entertaining to get behind the scenes and see what it's like in a day in the life of the Followill's.  

You can watch them here on their Youtube channel.  Today's installment: their cousin/roadie "Nacho."  If you don't know anything about Nacho you should know he's just about as famous as the band.  In Europe he gets cheered as much as the band.   Oh, and he's a man of few words.

Kings of Leon Home Movies - Day 4

KoL Home Movies!

Okay, so it's pretty say at this point to say that I'm super fn pumped about the release of new Kings of Leon record Only By The Night.  So, to help whet our appetites the brothers Followill have released another "home movie" clip.

It's nice to see that me and my brother aren't the only ones who get shitty with each other like Caleb and Nathan do.  It's fun to see Caleb griping at Nathan.  

MP3:  Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire

Kings of Leon "Sex on Fire" Vidie

This video reminds me a lot of REM's "Losing My Religion." The tone, use of imagery and atmosphere are very similar. I'm a little disappointed in the video. I thought the video would be a little more upbeat to match the feel of the song. But, maybe I'm the one who's wrong. I still love the song though.

More New Kings of Leon!

However, this time there is not free download. You actually have to go to their Myspace page and listen to it. C'mon people, you can do it! They uploaded "Sex on Fire" to their player and it's fn awesome!

Aside from "Crawl" being nine kinds of awesome, "Sex..." is just as good. I can not wait until the new album comes out. If the first two tracks are any indication as to how good the album will be, then this one should be gold Jerry!

Go here and listen y'all!

New Kings of Leon!!!

Hurry up and get the new (free!) Kings of Leon single, "Crawl" here.

I've made no secret about my dislike of the last KOL album. But, as I'm typing this to you now, I'm listening to the new single. I fn love it! It has a great buzzy bass going off, some crazy ass guitar. This sounds nothing like the KOL you may have known. It's definitely a different sonic direction, and a good one.

As an added bonus, check out home movies!!

Early Kings of Leon Review

So, Rollingstone has an early review of the new Kings of Leon record, Only By The Night.  And by the sounds of things it should be good.  But, unlike say a Beck review, I think this one might actually be legitimate in it's love of the album.  There's apparently a track called "Seventeen" that the Kings have had since the Youth and Young Manhood days.  So, that to me is extremely exciting. 

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I hope they are past their U2 phase.  'Cause I didn't really dig Because of The Times that much.  Believe me, it had some good cuts on it, but, it also had a whole lot of filler for me.  But, maybe I should pull it out and listen to it again.  

Oh, and check out a track called "Manhattan" off the new album.  (Rock & Roll Daily)

MP3:  Kings of Leon - Spiral Staircase (Live in Sydney)

Kings of Leon Set Release Date For New Album

The Kings of Leon will release their fourth album, Only By The Night, on September 23rd. I can't wait! (Spin)

MP3: Kings of Leon with Eddie Vedder - Slow Night, So Long

Live Kings of Leon

Thanks goes out once again to I Am Fuel, You Are Friends. She posted some sweet tracks from KOLs set from Sydney, Australia's JJJ Radio Show.

As I told you the other day ago, a new album should be out this fall. I'm kinda hoping KOL has gotten away from their U2 phase and back more to their rootsy stuff. But, if bands don't progress they die, right?

MP3: Kings of Leon - The Bucket (Live)