Reviews (page 4 of 7)
Fun rock album from a band where I have heard a few songs on the radio before. While nothing is bad about it I don't really see its place on this list. Nothing exceptional or groundbreaking going on or stand out that I can tell. Really fun listen through though and the country vibes to are great.
Hadn't heard this before. A bit different from other Kings of Leon I'm more familiar with.
It's good rock music, they know how to play their instruments and surprisingly enough they don't sound like sex on fire all the time. But: music like this was made 40 years ago? I can't find anything groundbreaking or new. I also don't care for their singer or the guitar sound.
I liked the other Kings of Leon album on the list, but this one is different. It sounds more roadhouse/rockabilly, and has AC/DC-like vocals, but the melodies aren't as strong. The tracks "Happy Alone" and "Holy Roller Novocaine" are the ones that have a bit of a hook.
This is looser and more lo-fi than the other album of their's we've listened to, and I enjoyed it more as a result. Still not convinced we need two (or more?) of their albums on this list, but can see how -during a period where better bands like the Strokes and White Stripes dominated- these guys could get some traction.
A second Kings of Leon album? Really. Here’s hoping it’s not as shitty as the last one. Well shit. This one is actually decent
Not typically a rock fan but I actually liked this for the most part! Started to get a little overstimulated about half way through but overall an enjoyable listen.
Quite an overrated band. I remember the hype being fairly extreme for these guys. They aren't bad, just nothing relevatory.
I expected it to be terrible, but there were some nice moments. Still their sound is too modern for my taste.
This is fine
Not a fan per se but not bad
Listen, it's not bad music. I've heard far, far worse music. But I am very surprised that this is the 3rd album of theirs that are on the list, yet some bands that are far more influential, and even more successful, have no representation at all on the list.
It was alright, nothing amazing but nothing really bad. It was average. If The Waltons formed a band, this would be it.
I have way more memories tied to Only By The Night, but this is… alright.
Pretty easy listening, definitely had me bobbin my head. Nice classic sound.
Easy to listen. The strokes meets pre Stomp clap folk revival
😏
This rough-edged garage/Southern rock debut charges in with gritty guitars, pounding drums, and hoarse, barking vocals as if it were selling pure wildness, but it ends up feeling like an energy drink from your teenage years – once electrifying, now artificially sweetened and only another source of coffein.
Temu Lynyrd Skynyrd
Very good
This is my third Kings of Leon album on this list. Are they influential enough to warrant that? Idk.
This makes my third KOL album in two weeks. Don’t get me wrong, I like this band -seen them in concert - hometown heroes. But three albums from them on this list?? That’s more than I have reviewed from Zeppelin. Come on now. One was good enough. This be is really not any different from the previous two. Same genre, same sound. Been there. Did it.
Kul musikk men forstår nesten ingenting av det som synges. Hvordan skal jeg synge med da? + syngestilen ellers er ikke helt min favoritt
Powerful, did like some of the songs, indifferent to others
481/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
Pretty aggressively Dylanesque, but there's plenty of punk influence here too. And, oddly, a large splash of CCR bayou-rock. I guess that's the Nashville studio influence. The lead vocal is like a very discounted Dylan/Fogerty combo who's trying his best to pull off either a gritty punk scream or a laid-back drawl. In a lot of songs (Spiral Staircase, Molly's Chambers, Holy Roller Novocaine), it kind of works. In others (Trani, California Waiting), it's more suspicious. I had the same complaint about their sophomore album, so it seems the King of Leon aren't great at learning from their mistakes. The sound is lively, owing particularly to the rapid movement between sections in songs like Spiral Staircase and Wasted Time, as well as percussion (and other instruments) coming in and out very quickly. Songwriting-wise, it's about on par with their next work Aha Shake Heartbreak (which is also on this list). There are some great musical ideas, particularly in the riffs of songs like Red Morning Light, Wasted Time, Spiral Staircase, and Molly's Chambers. The latter song in particular has a very clean, poppy sound that's boosted even further with the quiet self-harmony in the chorus. But in terms of being cutting-edge and influential, the record as a whole is pretty underwhelming for its time. Keep in mind that Muse's Absolution was released in the same year as Y&YM, QotSA's Songs for the Deaf was released a year eralier, and Radiohead's Kid A was released 2 years before even that. Kings of Leon don't introduce anything to the musical canon that really justifies their inclusion on this list, I think. It's a pretty good sound, and takes inspiration from a plenitude of big names. That's just about it. 3/5 Key tracks: Red Morning Light, Wasted Time, Molly's Chambers
7/10 Favorite tracks- “Happy Alone” Joes Head” “Molly Chambers”
Very raw southern-fried rock.
Better than every other album of theirs
Besser als gedacht
Eigentlich ein cooles Album. Bekam aber nicht ganz den Zugriff. Hinten heraus schwächer
Wow, ewig nicht gehört! Ich hätte eher "Because Of The Times" hier in die Liste gewählt. Finde das Album angenehm retro. Kann den Hype schon nachvollziehen. "Molly's Chambers" hatte ich noch den ganzen Tag als Ohrwurm.
Redneck rock before they sold out to become a glorified boy band
Hey, an album where I could actually listen to the whole thing! It's an increasing rarity with the albums on this list. I liked the raw quality of the band's sound. The vocals take some getting used to and didn't win me over on every song. Still, I enjoyed this listen.
Favorite Track: Red Morning Light
It's alright, but I don't understand why this is on the list. It's nothing new, it wasn't the start of a big revival, it wasn't influential, it doesn't have any of their big hits.
Gibt den Ami Vibe von Dudes die sich abends betrunken um ein Feuer setzen und singen
Love KOL. Their albums progressively get better and better. This was a great jumping off point. Super fun
It was ok. Another album I would have no problem listening to if it was on, but no desire to seek out agian.
i just don’t love these guys’ sound. i just can’t do the voice. i can kinda see the appeal it just doesn’t do it for me.
One of only 3 acts whose live set I have walked out of half way through (the other two being Foals and Taylor Swift), this was better than I expected it to be.. It must have been all down the tubes from here.
Very derivative, obviously, and in service to its influences, rather than making something new. But I came in with very low expectations, and honestly, it's not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Signs of life early on - the very Strokes-y Happy Alone - though diminishing returns later. 2.5
I like Molly Chambers quite a bit, but the rest of the album doesn't rise to that level. I still like the album more than Only By The Night overall.
Pre: kol before I know Post: solid album more raw and rocking, but he's always doing a voice imitation, usually Ian hunter
'S just kinda fine?
Okay, arena wannabes make good and get their gig on. I think, though, they could use a lesson on modulation--they seem always full-on. The garagey gin-soaked approach can work (I like California Waiting best), though it can seem pushy at times. Solid effort.
These songs are really pretty interesting. If I didn't actively dislike the vocalist, this could be a band I dig. But, as it stands, dude is actively trying to get me to ding it a star with his relentless annoying voice.
okay so i’ve been meaning to listen to more kings of leon and highkey i didn’t pay as much attention to this as i would’ve liked to, i liked this didn’t love but can see potential
Unerwarted sphärisch und riffisch e sound vo de leuekönige. De albumtitel wär eich pörf timed zum eusi youth and young manhood abzdecke, trotzdem hanis na nie ghört. Hed eich na spass gmacht aber wird ich da wieder oft dra denke und wieder mal dri schnuppere? I dought it Demfall doch eher 3 puntitos
3,5
The voice grates but the bop is boppin'
I liked it
pleasant
I liked the singles … but the rest was pretty average
Sigh
Sorta surf-rock, sorta American alt, nice and upbeat. Not too shabby
Great energy - very solid modern rock album.
Kind of bugged me due to a lack of particular ambition or interest first listen. Second listen I let go a bit and just kind of went with it. Plenty of basically enjoyable stuff here. Nothing earth shaking.
It was decent music but almost all of it faded into the background for me. I liked how it was quite jumpy and fun.
Catchy garage rock, similar to the Hives or Strokes. Not really yet the band that would have a few massive hits a few years later, but an enjoyable listen
That’s a solid debut from KoL. Got some excellent guitar work, great garage sound, some vocals like Thorogood, electric Dylan, and even some Steve Tyler screeching. All songs good, but Holy Roller Novocaine leads the charge followed by Molly’s Chambers. Lots of variety throughout. L = (1.0*s) Too much drunk screeching. They get better. J = (3.8*s) They are off to a very strong start.
I'd consider myself a fan of Kings of Leon but this debut album doesn't excite me the way some of their future albums do. Their debut is a little too muddy or rockabilly adjacent which I believe pales in comparison to the more refined alt rock sound that popularized them a few years later. Youth and Young Manhood is still a pretty solid debut though. It brought some new flair to the southern blues rock genre and and offered up a new family band for the populace to get behind. The engine room is competent and some of the guitar work is good enough to keep the listener hooked. Caleb Folliwill has some smooth raspiness in vocals that I typically enjoy, but they are a little too slurred and messy at times on this album to really draw me in. It's still a pretty good album, but I would personally have opted for either Because of the Times or Only by The Night as better entries. Perhaps one of these will show up later on this list. 2.68 stars
Kings of Leon were among my favourite bands for a couple of years in my teens, but they don’t warrant 3 albums on the generator (especially if one of them isn’t Because of the Times). There are some good rockers (Molly’s Chambers, Holy Roller Novocaine) and some good slowies (Trani, Talihina Sky), but they pretty much only knew two moves at this point - they’d find more nuance and variation over the next couple of albums (and then start to lose it after that). This was probably a welcome shot in the arm to the music scene at the time is was released, though. Let’s give it 3.5 stars: a bit better than Only by the Night, not quite as good as Aha Shake Heartbreak.
Felt very "meh" about this one since it's absolutely ridiculous that we have 2 KOL albums in a week and yet so many better bands and albums are missing. On its own terms, this album is OK. I like the garage rock sound on many but the singer's voice is god-awful on many and I had to stop listening to songs like "Trani." Still, there are a few really good ones on here--"California Waiting, "Molly's Chambers" and others--that made uo for it somewhat.
Decent album. Some good songs here, especially liked Trani and Joe's Head. I thought Talihina Sky was a good piece of songwriting and a nice closer. Lead singers voice does start to grate though, the bad Vedder impression and terrible enunciation is intense on some songs. Pretty okay overall, but a little generic, I do fail to see the huge appeal of these guys.
pretty good. Not the best record of kings of leon but still pretty good. High 3
Good album, not great. Cudos for retro punk vibes. I wanted to like this album but never quite got it.
Decent album, some crunchy guitars and a squeaky voice. I wonder how his voice lasted this long, perhaps he did learn to sing at some point. 3/5
While I enjoy Kings of Leon, this list has more of them than I expected. This was fine. Blues rock with a passionate voice.
Pretty solid album. Mid 3s for me.
Although they were nothing special even at the outset, it's sad to see how far KoL went from their debut towards totally bland mainstream output. This has plenty of bite, it's quite fun and you get a lot more of a sense of who they actually are than on the likes of Only By The Night. It's still quite flawed, like I say, but it's the kind of thing that is probably good for music, in the whole, rather than another manufactured nothing.
Awful voice, otherwise ok
(3.5) i didn’t really know what they were saying half the time, i heard “a lotta cheese” instead of “thrills are cheap”
Has a classic sound but doesn't really stand out in my memory
This was ok, some good songs but the song style did get repetitive
I do enjoy some KoL tunes. More of the older stuff like this album, not really heard much of it but I have heard some tracks. Pretty generic.
Reminds of CCR, Allman Brothers and the Strokes. Not perfect but waaayyyy better than the mainstream trash they were releasing years later. Fav: Trani
Gritty, rock and southern are not words that I would have ever used to describe Kings of Leon. In my head, they are the singers of "Sex on Fire" and that is it. It was neat to hear such a different sound from them. I enjoyed this listen overall, and reall enjoyed the guitar throughout the album.
Another Dirty Bird 1001 Albums Generator 106 (08/28/2025) I was surprised to see Kings of Leon on this list, whom I only knew for their indie smash hit "Sex On Fire". Youth And Young Manhood is their debut album and features a much grittier, more garage-y sound than their more well-known stuff. The guitars and drums are rocking throughout this thing, with the first three songs especially exemplifying what works well for this album. Red Morning Light is such a fun opener and Happy Alone has some really impressive guitar work. I also found Molly's Chambers to be really interesting and at just over 2 minutes, it's one of the punchiest songs here. While the rawness on display sometimes works to Y&YM's benefit, moments like the ending of Trani, where Caleb Followill's voice sounds like it is essentially completely gone, feel like they could have done with another take. There are also some weird moments here where the vocals really sound like Bob Dylan, and I don't think it really works. The good outweighs the bad, but overall, Youth & Young Manhood left me wanting more. 3.5/5, rounded down to a 3/5. Fav: Red Morning Light Happy Alone Molly's Chambers Least Fav: Trani
Started off strong but the rest was generic southern twang garage rock with some pretty annoying vocals at times. A lot of the guitar work felt very simple and mostly played the same few notes or riff over again (other than some nice solos here and there), this is nothing like their later work like only by the night which surprises me why this album was picked of all in their discography. Also, i’ve already mentioned the annoying vocals but this is definitely apparent in Trani cause what was that. Anyway not bad but just quite generic with only a few highs. Favourites: Red Morning Light and Genius. Overall, 5/10.
I was not previously familiar with this album, although I have heard of the band. This is a sort of indie/alternative, not too far from The Strokes. I enjoyed listening to this and would be willing to listen again, but there wasn't anything that really stood out to me.
Работает как хик-рок гораздо лучше, чем у него есть на то права. Иногда весьма забойно, несмотря на то, что в целом ранний звук этой группы (да остальной, в принципе, тоже) весьма дурацкий на мой взгляд. Поэтому 6.5 out of 10
Decent album, has some real bangers. Also has some stinkers. Overall a good listen and I like the work they did.
I did listen to Youth And Young Manhood after Aha Shake Heartbreak so all i could really think of when listening to this album was "Yep, that's the prequel to Aha Shake Heartbreak". Due to both albums having the same kind of sound, they share a lot of strengths and weaknesses. The music here is pretty solid with it being mainly a rock album with blues elements and i think it does do that sound very well. My main issue with this album is Caleb Followill's vocals as they just really sounded like someone who was trying too hard which made this album a bit annoying. Other than that, this album really is just the prequel to Aha Shake Heartbreak and is around the same level of quality as that album. Best Song: Holy Roller Novocaine Worst Song: Wasted Time
Always fun to see music that you are familiar with but not a lot. This one showed me KofL as a young energetic bluesy band with some grit. I liked it!
It was fine.
I am not an audiophile. I listen to music as,a backdrop to my day, to impact my feelings, the chan g e my feelings. I prefer the Kings of Leon album Only by the Night.
I enjoyed this. I definitely notice a break in the albums post 2000- where the production and recording all became much more crisp. Overall, this was a decent listen. I found myself wanting to like it more. There’s a lot of things here that work for me but ultimately it didn’t have a standout song or moment for me.
Always thought aha shake was the first one, but realized I have heard most of these throughout the years. It's incredible to think how they started vs how the sound now. Definitely recommend this one, even if you hate their new sound. This is gritty, dirty, straight up rock. Vocals aren't polished, music is catchy but not poppy. Great stuff.
Rock
Classic
Solid but ordinary. It passed me by at the time as I was pre-occupied with young children. No real reason to come back to it now - though Molly's Chambers is a pretty good track
It's pretty good, and definitely representative of early 2000's indie garage rock. But does it need to be on this list? I can think of many more albums from this era/genre that stand out more than this.
Listened in the truck via YouTube music. This is the album that broke them onto TV and radio. Mollys chambers was a hit. Forgot how much screaming he did on the album. It was nice to relisten.
Are we sure this isn't Bob Dylan?
It's an okay album. Nothing really offensively bad on it, but doesn't really do anything great either. Pretty average. 3/5 Probably won't listen again
It's a solid groovy time with decent tunes, but it feels very derivative of other bands and sounds. A more southern/stones inspired 'the strokes' is what it sounds like to me. Not bad at all but it wears it's influences a little too close to its sleeve for me
Really good i would rate it a 3.5
Nice sound
как-то дебютно не задорно, а одинаково) когда буду их пристальнее изучать, сначала глубже в более позднее погружусь пожалуй
Did not enjoy love the sophomore album Aha Shake Heartbreak a lot but really couldnt get into this one and their trani song creeps me out
It was good but not what I was expecting at all from kings of Leon
Lots of seventies influences. Not bad but not very inspired.
Definitely not as good as I remember. Some classics, but it's right at the line between good indie and landfill indie. The vocals and guitar playing feel canned at times, and the bluesy elements seem half hearted, yet it's somehow enjoyable overall if you don't listen to closely.
I enjoyed most of this album. Certainly a distinctive sound.
Some good songs but very samey. 6 out of 10 as a debut
A few pleasant songs, but not my taste in music
Idk why but I was expecting worse. Kinda generic in a not unpleasant sort of way.
I am a big Kings fan and, being old, am late to the party, but this is not their best stuff. I can testify that they get better.
This is just teen streaming show music. Not offensive at all, also not really interesting. Was fine background music tho.
Really enjoyed this one. A nice album to rock your head to, totally can imagine this in a thrift store kinda thing. No tracks that better or worser than the others, all songs are consistent and I enjoyed them all. 3/5 because no highs but I did enjoy it
I like their 2008 album, but had never heard this one. It’s much more raw and even has a little The Strokes vibe mixed with some southern twang Towards the end when it becomes more southern in its style, I begin to enjoy it more
This is quite different than the scant exposure I have to Kings of Leon through the songs that went mainstream. Right off the bat this starts with some nice bluesy rock n roll guitar licks and frantic vocals. The layers of guitar on Joe’s head are full of depth and very pleasing. The cowbell into the opening guitar riff on California Waiting immediately made me smile, and the cymbal-heavy drumming through the chorus kept the vibe going strong.
Might be a boring take, but I find the newer, more commercial and vanilla Kings of Leon, much better than this. Caleb’s semi-rapping and punk-like singing feels very strange and doesn’t work for me, but that might just be because I am used to a different Kings of Leon than what we get here. Still interesting to hear where they came from I guess, but this album has no business being on this list in my opinion. Very average, in a bad way. Weak 3.
An amazing band finding its sound, its got some bangers on it but they only got better from here
Haven't listened to Kings of Leon outside of their big hits. I really enjoyed this, even cooler to learn that its 3 brothers and a cousin. Interesting to read about how the brothers were raised as well. Never would've thought this type of music could come from that. Very solid 3/5.
3/5
Gritty and raw garage rock vibes. Feels like a wild, sweaty night out in college in Middle Tennessee when these guys were catching traction.
Просто ровная 🦃
Ok, so the lead vocalists voice can get to you. You can tell he's really trying to overdo it or something. But still, I liked the actual song compositions. 3.5/5
Decent 2000's era rock album, reminiscent of the Strokes and similar bands. Nothing really stood out, though better than their 2008 release also in this project.
Some great songs but trying a bit hard sometimes
This is much different than the Kings of Leon I am familiar with. This isn't bad southern rock, but it's nothing special either.
It was all right. Nothing special. The sound was definitely Kings of Leon, but also all the songs sounded so similar.
The music is quite enjoyable but in the end, I found the singer's voice grating.
mid
One of the interesting things to me about this album is that the vocals sound very different from song to song. In fact, I seriously thought that there was more than one vocalist, but apparently that is not the case. The different vocals made the songs have some contrast, which is kinda cool. Some of them had a vibe similar to the last album I listened to ("Slayed?" by Slade), which I found interesting, as there was a 30-year span between them. A few of the songs I could tell the vocals were from the same guy who sang "Sex On Fire". But not all of them. I didn't hear a lot of autotune, which is rare for those type of rock albums these days. There were some songs that I was like "ok...?" (looking at you, "Trani") and some songs that were a bit repetitive ("Spiral Staircase"). But I didn't think this was too bad, I was expecting it to stomp more like their big hit. Glad it didn't. Top tracks: "Holly Roller Novocaine," "Molly's Chambers," "Joe's Head"
I like Kings of Leon but I think they grew into their sound. Though classified as garage rock I see them more as southern rock, and it's that unique southern twist that I think gets them multiple entries on this list. Still, they weren't great right from the start and on this debut album there are good songs and not as good songs. To me, the good ones are Red Morning Light, Happy Alone, Wasted Time, and Molly's Chambers. The rest were decent, and some really good at certain points of the song, but a little inconsistent.
They're a tight rocking band. As far as early Kings of Leon go, this feels a lot less memorable and lasting than Aha Heartbreak though.
Interesting one.
Much better than their well-known albums 👍
I do like the band but this album disappoints a bit. Not too exciting. 3 stars
Solid, upbeat rock and roll. KoL get brushed off now, but I will stand by their early stuff being worth a listen.
-interesting. seems like they were obviously going for a replication of the 70s garage rock sound, and i think they did a decent job at it -aside from that, it didn’t stand out TOO much from other garage rock revival bands. with the exception of a couple extremely solid songs -Favorites are Joe’s Head and Molly’s Chambers
I only became familiar with this band with their big release in 2008, so this earlier vibe/sound was unknown to me. Initially I liked it, but over the whole album nothing changed - pitch, tone, sound, whatever you want to call it - and I was tired of it by the end.
Ok album
bro... red morning light- 4 happy alone- 4 wasted time- 4 Joe's head- 4 trani- 5 California waiting- 4 or 5 spiral staircase- 4 Molly's chambers- 4 genius- 4 dusty- 4 holy roller novocaine- 5 talihina sky- 4 it's not nice to judge an album by its cover but sometimes you just know it's going to be boring
Just fine. The most surprising thing was to have a third Kings Of Leon album.
Pretty good. Definitely 2003.
Perfectly okay. Nice rocky energy, a little punky, not annoying, but mostly a background-listening thing.
Nice enough. Not super into it.
It’s a rock sound but not super unique or that interesting to be honest.
It’s been a long time since I have heard this (2025) and it’s as I remember it…OK. Nothing special but it was nice to revisit it after so long. Molly’s Chambers is still a banger!
I feel like I should like it more, but I really don’t. There are a couple good tracks, but overall it’s just really boring and mundane rock music. I’d rather listen to other bands.
Why does the wikipedia entry scream: look at how much these guys sold out on their debut album!! Early kings of leon is still moany kings of leon, talihina sky was so grating. 3* Recognized molly's chambers.
I like Kings of Leon, but this album is a bit too 'garage rock' compared to their more recent stuff. Not terrible but I don't think I'd revisit.
Turns out I have heard more than one Kings of Leon song before. They're alright, but I feel like this album could have used some fine-tuning.
Sounded like they were trying to tap into the Strokes' sound but fell flat. It's in between a 2 and a 3 for me, but I liked some songs, so I'll go 3.
I knew the name Kings of Leon, but apparently hadn't heard them before? I had no clue this is what they sounded like. Good album, nothing I'd seek to add to my collection. In the vein of Uncle Tupelo. Some sounded like Camper Van Beethoven but less interesting. I think the last song, Talihina Sky was one of my favorites. Alt country rock. Worth at least one listen before you die, I suppose.
Album sounds like Lazy post punk Stones which works better on the second half of the album.
I'd probably like this a lot more if I hadn't been traumatised by the sheer quantity of over-listening of 'sex on fire' in my university days. Which shouldn't make as much of a difference as it does, but it does. Basically just The Strokes but with more of a southern voice and not as clever. So, there better be some Strokes on this list to compensate.
Not bad
Rating: 3.5/5 | Favorite Track: Molly's Cambers --- A decent album; I enjoyed the handful of garage rock songs more than the southern rock and blues rock. Unfortunately this sound is done better by other artists from the same era (most obviously The White Stripes) so I have less motivation to revisit this album.
Was not expecting to see 2 (so far) pre-Sex on Fire Kings of Leons albums here. Hmm. Solid rock n roll band and I'm all for that, but not much in the way of tuneage here.
Yep definitely a punk rock album
I like the mix of rough garage vibes and southern rock- a bit more bluesy than I expected too. Feels sorta throwback, but its like everyone was doing that shit in the early 2000s. I think im only familiar with their popular stuff, but this was solid even if it feels very 2000s to me. Mid 3s for me
Hard to believe this is the same band that made Only By the Night and Come Around Sundown and whatever the hell else they're on these days. Love the rough garage sound and most of it...but nothing super memorable besides 'Molly's Chambers.' 3.5 rounding down.
Album art: 4
3.4 2x good but not great
Pre-"Sex On Fire" album from a band I've never been into. Feels like some other albums we've had where the instrumentals are pretty good, but the vocals drag down so many of the songs. 2.5 stars (lean closer to a 3).
I wouldn't have guessed this was Kings of Leon if you gave me 1000 guesses. High 3.
Nice little rock album there. Whatever he was doing with his voice in Trani was certainly quite off putting, but the rest was good. Way better than their stupid second album that came up about 600 some albums ago
Interesting this came out before they blew up. Some of the songs on here were jams and others were meh. His voice still annoys tf out of my on some songs. He literally sounds like Cartman towards the end of California Waiting. Red Morning Light, Molly's Chambers, and Holy Roller Novacaine were all pretty solid.
It’s ok
3 but a fun 3.
Memory is a curious thing. I can't remember what I had for breakfat, but I can remember the tunes to songs a listened to a few times nearly 20 years ago. Not the words. No one knows the words to early Kings of Leon. Like a drunk Bob Dylan on speed. I much prefer it to their later, overly produced stuff.
This is not bad. I found it enjoyable and easy to listen to. The singers voice can be a bit much sometimes, though.
Man, I have got to stop judging and dismissing bands on their name alone. In this case, I assumed they were some sort of shoegaze that would bore the shit out of me. Wrong. This is balls-out rock’n’roll. Think White Stripes, one of my favorites. It’s a high 3 teetering on 4 if it got added to rotation. Still, I don’t really see myself playing this that much these days, so 3 it is. Might revisit that.
I didnt love this album before and another listen didnt really help that either.
Not my favorite of their albums, but it’s nice to see they’ve been pretty consistent over the years. I appreciate their voice as one of their own. 3.3
More punk than I realized. Pretty cool
I hadn't listened to this, though I have later albums. A varied and interesting start
Listened to KoL a lot at the time but they haven't really stuck with me. It's fine.
Ugh. I didn’t mind the music but the vocals got annoying really quickly.
Having heard “Molly’s Chamber” from this album I had expectations. Soon crushed by the mediocrity of the rest of the album, with the exception of “Spiral Staircase” and perhaps “Genius” at a push. It’s mostly forgettable otherwise.
With this I thought about whether I would actually want to listen to it over and over again. I had this album but I suspect the answer is "no". It's got a few great songs and I sort of like the sound but ultimately it's just not quite good enough to bring me back to it.
I would not have guessed this was Kings of Leon if I didn't already know. It's not bad, but their sound has definitely matured a lot since this debut
I like Kings of Leon and I will give 3 stars because they really make good music. But this is not their best album, at all...
Perfectly okay first album with little hints at the variety they'd come to write later on, but more interesting as a time capsule/prequel type situation that as the sort of essential Strokes contempories the music pressed seemed to position the band as at this time. 2.5*.
3+ Stars (9/15)
Sweaty, scrappy, and just the right amount of unpolished. Feels like if The White Stripes and Lynyrd Skynyrd had a half-drunk jam session in someone’s garage. The attitude is great, the playing is raw, but the whole thing leans a little too hard on the same tricks. Fun for a couple spins, but you start wondering if these guys know any other chords. Spins: 2 Playlist Additions: - Red Morning Light - California Waiting - Holy Roller Novocaine
kivaa lämpsytystä
Trevligt men inget särskilt som stod ut
The album and, indeed, early Kings of Leon, is straightforward. What takes this album a step above others of its year is Caleb’s voice. When unleashed, as it is on “Joe’s Head” and the chorus of “Molly’s Chambers,” you’re drawn in for a good time. “Trani” highlights the manipulations and Dylan-equestrian phrasing that he can be capable when he turns it on. But the band doesn’t always match his inventiveness and at times, such as with “California Waiting” and “Dusty,” sound uninspired. There are few secrets here but, if you like jingle jangly, frenetic rock with a driving drum beat, the kind you listen to on a road trip with the top down and cooler of Natty Light in the trunk, this is the album for you.
Fairly ok rock.
I just couldn't get into it. A couple of songs toward the end were okay, but that's about it.
Enjoyed this album, having never heard it before. I've heard of the group but am not familiar with any of their songs. This was a good listen. Greasy, grungy, fuzzy. Sounded like listening to a friend's band in a backyard garage party in 2001. No song really stood out as amazing, but overall it's a good album to have on in the background in your house party in 2025. 3/5
Группа звучит нормально, но выделить какой-то трек не выйдет, просто само звучание...норм
Ну рок, я уже устал от него на этом сайте нахуй
Early Kings of Leon sounds like the Strokes aping Dylan. Not as good as either, but fine for background music.
3 Sterne
it wasn't bad but not sure what I think
I think I probably danced to half of these songs every Friday night in Ramshackle in Bristol. But in contrast to say the Killers, or the Fratellis, or all the other 2000s-ish indie bands I can't say I really remember any of these songs. Maybe due to my mental state at the time, or, perhaps, because they are all quite forgettable. Best songs: Red Morning Light Molly's Chambers California Waiting Talihina Sky
It all feels a bit clichéd and samey to me and I'm not that keen on the singer's vocals but it's ok.
Better than i was expecting but worthy of the list!!!!
I was never their greatest fan but this was an ok start, shame it went downhill from here
Just another ex-1001 album!™ http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex #TIL Kings of Leon are a family band (3 brothers and a cousin). My knowledge of Kings of Leon is limited to a dislike of the overplayed "Sex On Fire" and nauseating "Use Somebody". So I surprised myself that I quite enjoyed this debut album.
A bit uneven but some pleasant surprises. Real 2003 energy
Thought I’d like this more.
Great debut album with some good tunes delivered in their unique don’t care style.
3 maybe 4
Was kind of expecting to hate this after the first few songs, but California Waiting on was actually a pretty decent run. Or maybe I just got into the flow of the album more at that point. I can respect what KoL are going for here, and it's cool to hear them being so experimental and weird in their earlier work. But I don't think I'll need to go back to this one. 2.5/5
I must say, the production on this really feels like a debut album. That it is, of course, but it doesn’t need to be so noticeable. From what I had previously heard from them, this is a lot more raw, which I enjoy. Less commercialized pop-rock, more authentic telling of their boyhood. Not to say the lyrics and writing are anything revolutionary. Fairly on par. What I would expect. The songwriting isn’t the most original, but unique enough to keep things interesting. I found “Joe’s Head” particularly entertaining. Big late sixties early seventies soft rock vibe. Ultimately, I’m not bothered by this album, but see no reason for its inclusion on the list. Furthermore, I find its addition to be a tad insulting given the omission of other works by better artists that are certainly more worthy than this collection of mediocre, derivative, and relatively uninspired rock tracks. 3/5
Fun album! Enjoyed, but quality a little below most of the 4/5 stars
I'm sort of shocked this made it into the top 1000 albums given that it's pretty generic rock. Not that they are perfectly comparable since Kings of Leon has more of a Southern spin, but aren't there like 3 Red Hot Chili Pepper albums better than this?
Did I enjoy the return to a bygone era of early aughts rock? Yes. Will I forget that this album exists in the next few days? Also yes. Favorite song of the album: Joe's Head
this isn't the kings of leon (derogatory) that i know (appreciative)
Something between fun songs and annoying vocals. favourite: "Red Morning Light", "Molly's Chambers" worst: "Trani"
Dang, even the singer was bored, little to no musical variety.
These guys have always just washed over me. Modern Southern US rock. Earnest. Dull.
Great voice, shame you can't understand a single thing with all the mumbling going on. Kinda found it to be generic 2000s rock but it wasn't bad, just makes you wanting something better. 6/10.
I think I'm at a point in my life now where I don't hate Kings of Leon anymore. Never thought I'd get here. That being said, I'm still not a fan yet.
hate his voice but like the songs
I liked this album at the time. But that was then. Very hummable but ultimately a bit throwaway. And despite knowing this album well, I don’t think I had ever heard the last track, so clearly always skipped that one.
I really wanted to like this more, but man that guy sure has an annoying voice.
Why do these knobs have 3 albums on this list? It's like rock music for people who don't know what rock music is. Fuckin granola rock for people who want to "listen to something heavier". Dude.... You can't hit high notes.... Stop squeaking on tape..... You can't even sing ffs. Sounds like he has marbles in his mouth. Favourite songs: Spiral Staircase, Molly's Chambers, Holy Roller Novocaine, Joe's Head, Happy Alone Least favourite songs: Trani 3/5
Second Kings of Leon album in a week?? I quite enjoyed the last one, but I guess I'm already tired of them as this one I found pretty boring. The last two tracks though (Holy Roller Novocaine, and Talihina Sky) were great
I was all prepared to hate this album, but then realised that for years I’d been mixing up the Kings of Leon with the Gipsy Kings, probably because of the long hair. Doh! Anyhoo, it turns out that this is quite acceptable indie rock with a bit of a garage rock vibe and the huge plus point that it’s an album from 2003 that crucially doesn’t sound like Coldplay. Highlight is Holy Roller Novocaine which has a lovely bouncy bass line. Not Coldplay-tastic!
I've really gone back and forth on this band for years and it was only until recently- within the past year or two that I started to appreciate them as being an enjoyable rock band with some standout tracks. Their stadium-rock sound is nice to me; it simply rocks. I'm not sure if I like this record though. At first listen I was enjoying the more raw and less refined version of the band that I have become accustomed to, but towards the middle of the record I started to really dislike the vocals. It's like he is trying so hard to be a bit too edgy and punkish. "Spiral Staircase" is particularly kind of... annoying? But then it's brought right back up to something I'm more into with the track "Molly's Chambers", which is like a 90s apathetic alt rock track with a great verse melody and a cool chorus. It's nice to be in the midst of them discovering themselves with this album, but the duality of the sound makes this ride a little hard to hang on to. It's a high 2, like a 2.8, and enough for it to be rounded to a 3.
3.5/5. Underrated. This one has a coherent energy and gives me authentic joy. Have other artists done a better job with this sort of thing? Yes - but it is distinct enough to be an enduring effort.
It is alright.
I liked this better than the later Kings of Leon albums, it sounds much grittier. I really didn't like the vocals here though, like he wasn't enunciating at all. First song kind of pulled me in but the slow songs were awful.
It’s a good debut album and shows off the bluesy stoner rock bones of which they’re capable. Bonus star for my name-drop.
In the background it sounded fine but when I gave more attention it was not as good. More southern than I was expecting.
5/10 - His voice was kind of annoying. The middle songs were bad the last song was decent.
It was pretty enjoyable to listen to. Right between a 3 and 4 for me, gonna give it a 3 because I have a feeling I'll like it less the more I listen. And also it's a little annoying at times
Decent collection of songs but missing out on a top score
Enjoyable sound, with a momentum that doesn't stop until the entire album is over. After only one listen I have time for, no songs stood out on their own
"Youth & Young Manhood" is the debut album by American rock band Kings of Leon. The Wiki-listed genres of garage rock revival and Southern rock are appropriate at this stage of their career. The band is composed of three brothers and a cousin (all with the last name Followill). They released an EP "Holy Roller Novacaine" in 2002 which included four songs songs which would be on their debut. The album had generally positive reviews. Commercially, it did much better in the UK reaching #3 while only hitting #113 in the US. The album starts out with a garage-rock guitar-riff intro on "Red Morning." This is definitely garage rock, almost purposely sloppy and a cowbell too. A song about hookers. This is a good start. They crank the speed up on "Wasted Time." A faster version the Black Crowes. Guitar slashes and lead singer Caleb Followill almost rappin' as he tries to keep up with the speed. He's on to her and she's wasted her time trying to get him. "California Watching" is the most melodic song on the album. A pounding bass and some nice backing vocals...that's the first song that I've heard any. The second single released "Molly's Chamber" showcases the band at their most straight-forward rock and roll. It clocks in a little over two minutes. I interpreted the lyrics as the effects of the drug moly on the brain. The band goes with a bluesy stomp in "Holy Roller Novacaine." A screeching guitar solo and they bring in the ever-reliable handclaps. My favorite lyrics on the album as they tell the story of a priest who uses his powers to seduce women. I'm still trying to come to terms with the fact that there are two King of Leon albums in this 1,001??? On the positive side, I like this garage-rock, punk, Southern rock, bluesy and raw version of the band relative to the pop-rock alternative act that they would become. At times, they reminded me of the Black Crowes, Allman Brothers and the White Stripes. I guess I live in a cave with the lyrics and experiences that this upper teens-early 20's group were able to come up with - hookers, cocaine, moly, abusive priests and vast experiences in relationships. I do realize that they were assisted in the writing but I now have to believe that the movie "Kids" and tv show "Euphoria" depict real teenager scenes. Overall, this album was OK and a good start to their musical journey.
Brimming with youth
my third foray into kings of leon during this project and i still do not really get it. every once in a while there is a song i enjoy, like the first track, 'red morning light' but mostly i am nonplussed by their music. i think out of the three i've listened to so far, this one is the most consistent and the one i like the best. felt more garage rock than the other ones, which is more up my alley than the more generic 00s rock they got into. still, not really my thing.
like the hillbilly strokes
Enjoyable 3.5
This album didn’t do much for me, but I didn’t necessarily think it was bad. I feel like this album is one that people would rave about, but I just wouldn’t really get. I loved Talihina Sky, and I think the album was worth listening to if only to have just discovered that song.
This was okay. It felt like a solid throwback to the 70s while still being fresh. That being said, it's not something I see coming back to.
I could do without the...whiny yelling? I'm not sure how to describe the occasional shitty vocals on here. Otherwise this was some pretty good alt rock. Not what I expected from a band that I know from "Use Somebody." I won't come back to this, but I didn't mind listening to it. 3.4
not remarkable, but good stuff
The best way to describe Kings of Leon is rock and roll
Mediocre album
If this had come out in the 70s I would have thought it was awesome. It's fine, but we've kinda heard it before. Instead of trying to be gritty, you could actually just be gritty. 3 stars for Genius and Dusty
Doesn't seem special to me. Nothing here that I haven't heard before. Was feeling 2 stars but I did like the last track quite a bit. So 3 stars.
This is like if the Strokes and that one band Jet made a subpar group together and recorded an album while drunk. I really can't stand the singer's voice and cadence but the guitar, drums, and bass are all fine. The songs are really generic, though the faster ones are better. I don't know why this album is on here; it's pretty boring radio rock from the early 2000's. It's ok I guess. I would give it a 2.5.
This album is fine. If you compare it to Sex is on Fire or Use Somebody in their later discographies you will be disappointed. There are no real standouts on the album which is why (I'm assuming) I hadn't heard any singles before the two standout hits. All in all enjoyable with some strange vocal decisions with some easy guitar.
Turns out I like older Kings of Leon like this album and Aha Shake Heartbreak. Maybe not something I'll listen to often. The singer's drawl sometimes is distracting, but it fits the style well.
So weird how boring this is compared to their follow-up. I felt like all the songs sounded pretty much the same. It wasn't bad but it wasn't especially good either. 2.5/5
Meh.
Nice to have a bit of country/rockabilly influence in indie music of this era, if its there, I don't often notice it.
Meh.
Not awful, but it drags on.
It's ok
I do like early Kings of Leon, but I don’t think we need both this and their superior 2nd album on the list. But this album is already in my rotation, so I’ll give it a 3 anyway
Ja, gut für einen Tempolauf.
gött sound om det. däremot stör jag mig lite på hur sångaren uttalar ord, det känns som han gör sig till otroligt mycket.
Alsof ik 20 jaar na dato FIFA 2004 weer opstart knalt Red Morning Light de nostalgie mijn oren in. De riff is toch wel erg lekker en de drummer lijkt op wat potten en pannen de rest van de band op te zwepen. Lekker rommelig, rechtstreeks uit een Nashville garage. Youth and Young Manhood doet denken aan de rammelende Indie Rock van the Strokes en Franz Ferdinand. Maar Kings of Leon toont ook hier weer aan, de beste zeroes indie-rock komt niet uit de USA maar uit de UK. De mix indie/garage met de country/southern/swamp is typisch KoL maar ook een tikkie ongemakkelijk. De stem van Followill is -hoe herkenbaar dan ook- heel Amerikaans en soms ook wat irritant (Joe's Head). Op andere platen vind ik dat deze beter uit de verf komt. Conclusie: Youth and Young Manhood rammelt heerlijk, en dat past super goed bij de begin zeroes. Het is knap dat de band is uitgegroeid tot stadion-headliner. Op deze plaat klinkt het net te vaak ongemakkelijk, maar is het onderliggende niveau best aardig. 7/10 Highlights Red Morning Light (zin in FIFA) Spiral Staircase Molly's Chambers
The band album pics on Spotify had me howling. Started strong with red morning light. Then I got bored till California waiting. Fine
I enjoyed this. It’s like a more raw version of “Only By the Night”.
Why so much Kings of Leon on the list?
This was ok.
All the cool kids seem to love Kings of Leon. I’ve never been into them. No particular reason. I haven’t been avoiding them. I just didn’t make it a point to ever listen to them. Until today. The cool kids were on to something, and I’ve been missing out. This album is fantastic from start to finish. Even if it’s not terribly original. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-youth-and-young-manhood?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Klassisk rock, ganske udmærket,
Molly’s Chambers is a great tune. Rest is just okay.
I’m really surprised to find so many Kings Of Leon albums that are considered essential. Before this review project, I always thought they were just some average indie rock band but with a bad singer. Now that I’ve listened to more, I’ve realised that sometimes books can indeed be judged by their covers as I was pretty much right. I will say that this is probably the better Kings Of Leon album out of the ones I’ve heard, and Molly’s Chambers is genuinely good, but I still doubt I’ll be seeking this album out again.
7/10
Mid rock. The singer can't enunciate for shit. I liked some songs where they sounded a bit like Jet. Stand-out: Happy Alone
Pretty fun, but not too memorable
I expected to enjoy this one more. It's pretty mid. 3/5
Did not like this style of music
I'm not agin' it! I like it even. I'm sure I used to listen to this, it's all very familiar. Maybe a couple of beers and I'll be scootin' around the house, singing like no one's listening and driving everyone else mad. Sounds like a good use of my time. Yeah I think I lost interest in KoL after their third album, when they got bigger and polished. It's often the way with bands that you discover in their early days. As they get produced, the rough edges get another or and life gets better and their songs are less interesting. This is not that though. Giddy up. Three screeching stars.
Talihina Sky carries this album. I miss old KoL
ich wusste nicht wie nahe die Kings beim country sind .. naja, abwechslungsreiches album mit wenigen perlen. mixed feelings ..
Album with ups and downs. Very mediocre
Didn’t know the made albums here and now know why I didn’t know
Enjoyable
Nothing terrible in here, but nothing good apart from Talihina Sky either
kicks off with a banning song from the first FIFA (2004) I owned, there is some other good songs here but the rest are nothing to shout home about.
I liked the first 3 songs, then the next 3 weren’t great, then everything after that was middle of the road apart from Molly’s Chambers which I quite liked.
my man needs to swallow his food before singing his songs
The okeyest credence clearwater revival tribute band
I'm spoiled by modern mixing practices. This album, while I don't think it compares as much to some other older albums in terms of musicality or novelty, is more tolerable and easier to listen to for me just because it's mixed well. Don't get me wrong, this is decent rock. I'm not fond of the vocals though, just don't really like the lead vocalists' annunciation of the lyrics, nor really the lyrics that much as is. 3
Bit of a mixed bag, found myself liking it, then hating the vocals, then finding it dull, then it got good again. Felt like a weak 3 star album for me.
3.5
3.0
Southern strokesy indie rock. Its good but not my fav rock of the era
This was such a weird combination of annoying and enjoyable for me. Really not sure what to do with it. It's probably just one of those bands that only works in small doses. I do know there are too many Kings of Leon albums on this list. 3.5 stars
Solid
I enjoyed this quite a bit more than expected. Red Morning Light is a fantastic opener and brought back good memories of comedy shows at the Edinburgh Fringe. The rest of the first half was pretty good as well, despite Joe’s Head featuring an even worse Bob Dylan impression than that Timothee Chalamet trailer, and Trani having some quite dire screaming towards the end (hey, at least he tried, and the song as a whole was really effective). Unfortunately the album did peter out in the second half as the songs started to blur into one a bit more
Not as good as the last album. Even harder to understand what he is saying. Background music was meh. 5/10
More country influence than I was expecting...but still enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
Ok album
this is a good ole 3/5
On one hand, this is kinda groovy early 2000s rock that sounds like a Eddie Vedder-ified White Stripes. On the other hand, there's just something about Kings of Leon that feels strangely pretentious, and this rubs me the wrong way. I really don't know what to give this album so I'll just give it a 3
I enjoyed a couple songs. NGL i totally thought they only made music similar to their hits (sex on fire, use somebody) so this sound was surprising. it’s okay
3.5
I like the music, but the dude kind of mumbles a lot.
I can't stop laughing over someone else calling them the Southern Fried Strokes. Hahaha, accurate. I still found this kinda meh, though.
few songs i really enjoyed, but i overall didn’t care for the vocals on this
Mixed feelings on this album. Punk rock kinda vibe. The singer has a voice that’s coarse and often annoying with an uneven delivery. A bit off putting. The music is good. There’s a bunch of songs that were alright, but the singer ruins the vibe for me. The standouts were songs where both the music and singing meet well for me. Cailfornia Waiting is an awesome song. Standouts: Trani, California Waiting, Spiral Staircase, and Talihina Sky.
mid
Another one, hooray. Molly's Chambers by far the standout for me, though there are some other moments for sure. A lot of the start of the album just blurs together, but I still can't really hate it - it's another good but unnecessary Kings of Leon album. Fave Tracks: California Waiting, Molly's Chambers, Dusty, Talihina Sky 3.5/5
Not quite a 4 despite some great tracks