Because of the Times: Track-by-Track Review

[Pex On Fire-]

jaredismygod said:

the album has to be at least as good, if not better than aha shake in my opinion.
i wasnt sure at first but after listening to it about 20 times i am decided.
absoluteley fantastic!!!!!
its a grower for sure

Agree with that. I was a bit sad at first I thought I wasnt going to take to it. Now I love it soo much. My fave track is changing everytime I listen to it. knocked up and Fans are now edgin ahead for me.

Fans feels a bit like a queen song

[mangoturtles]

BOTT is a good step up for the kings. At first, I really thought they were everywhere, but I picked up after listening to it a bit more. It's no ASH, it didn't give me goosebumps or send shivers up and down my spine. I have a feeling it'll be greater than I think. BOTT isn't a sure win, but it's hopeful.

When I was listening to Charmer I thought: "They must wear helmets when they do the song on stage, they must." It so fits the song, or maybe I'm just delusional.

My Party is my favourite so far, it's so exciting. The beginning of the song actually sets you up for it. I really enjoy it, makes me want to buy me self a disco ball. To put in my bathroom.

[saltyleave]

The repeating guitar line from Ragoo is a stolen straight from a White Lion song. And I should not know that!

[fuzz]

I dont know why people are comparing this to ASH. Its in a completely different dimension. I cant really listent to ASH any more because this just blows it straight out of the water.

If you havent listened to this album stoned yet, you are missing out, this album was made for it.

[FatFriendFred]

Don't try listen to this with the mind of ASH. You need to listen to it in a completely different mind frame or you'll just be dissapointed

[AccuratePassion]

Yeah, I agree. It serisouly seems like a completely different band in its entirety. I could have easily believed this to be the debut record of another band... Its not so much as a step up or down in reference to past records cause the others are classic in their own right... Its like a step to the left or to the right... Just in a different direction...

[ruby]

Totally agree, the band sound really different.. but in a good, positive way, they have grown and changed and matured musically.

[jsandr]

1 - Knocked Up (9/10)
2 - Charmer (7.5/10)
3 - On Call (7/10)
4 - McFearless (8.5/10)
5 - Black Thumbnail (9.5/10)
6 - My Party (8.5/10)
7 - True Love Way (7.5/10)
8 - Ragoo (8/10)
9 - Fans (8.5/10)
10 - The Runner (9/10)
11 - Trunk (9/10)
12 - Camaro (8/10)
13 - Arizona (6/10)

This is a very enjoyable collection of tunes. I love the experimentation with sound and structure on this record. Caleb's performance, vocally, isn't quite up to the level of the rest of the band, however.
The only disappointment on the record is the wretchedly uninspired fadeout-riddled Arizona. I can't believe what a let down that performance is for me. I was blown away by the live version I witnessed this past fall, and eagerly anticipated the studio take. The fadeout itself takes away from the song, but my goodness, where's the inspiration, guys??? weak, weak closer. matthew's guitar work is still impeccable, however.
In fact, Jared and Matthew absolutely shine on the record. Matthew stands out on the gorgeous guitar lines of Knocked Up, the kickass breakdown in Charmer, the perfect Black Thumbnail solo, Ragoo and Camaro. Well done, sir. Jared and Matthew on My Party are insanely good, making up for the lackluster Caleb performance. I did enjoy the nod to Gimme Shelter by the Stones.
The Runner offers a cool kind of BRMC/Howl vibe with the organ and end vocals. Trunk is really the most intriguing song here, offering a mood and sound unheard before on a kings record. I love the 2-chord rockers they have gotten great at, but this record is very well thought-out, offering so many cool textures for us lucky fans to listen for.

Seriously, thanks Kings for challenging yourselves and us with this record! these songs will be very welcome in live sets in the future.

[brody74]

I love 'em ALL!!!

is it just me or are caleb's lyrics becoming more understandable??? (i think in each record the "phrasing" has become clearer & slower...)

i wonder if he is annunciating more clearly or i am just learning to understand him more??? whatever it is, i like it!

their mentionings to the press were spot on - "bigger sound" , "completely different than the previous records"

ALL HAIL THE KINGS !!!

[yoyoclock]

jsandr, I disagree what you say about calebs vocals, I think he did greatly, especially on true love way

[fuzz]

Yeah, I've found Calebs vocal performance to be quite a work of genius, what with all the little things he does with it to augment the melodies and the control he has over it. And yes, I want to say his lyrics apply to everyone rather then just himself, which is refreshing.

I too was a little dissapointed with Arizona, but I still dig what they did with it, I think its a great song to end the album on.

It's amazing how listenable this album is, my friends and I haven't listened to anything else for the past 4 days. You really have to appreciate how they can write these songs that you can just listen to over and over again with out getting tired of them. Such an inspiring album.

[mickey o'neil]

it doesn't seem all that different to me. i can't stop listening to it. especially knocked up. that song is incredible i think. so many great backing vocals on the album too.

[qotsajosh]

I didn't think I would like it last night when I downloaded it. I was wrong, it's quite the amazing return.

1. Knocked Up- Sets the tone for this cool mature album. Simplistic, groove, into a cool jam Chorus at times. The lyrics almost make me cry. I don't think Caleb wrote the lyrics directly through his rockstar-wealthy eyes. It's about a 2 young kids leaving a small town to avoid an abortion, extremely heart-felt. Sad song.
8.5 - 10

2. Charmer- Trying new ways to be heavy, and it totally worked. Cool guitars, almost Michael Jackson esq. I think they break new ground here with this badass swagger of a rock song. Catchy four Kicks evolved.
9 - 10

3. On Call- I like this song so much, even the cheesy inro part is great. But I don't think it should've been the first single. Totally sing-a-long lyrics. My mom says he says the same thig over and over, lol.
7 - 10

4. Mcfearless- Trying new stuff here again, this song is one of 'BotT' defining songs as it showcases the album's sound and vibe all at once. KOL are saying "this is the new us."
8 - 10

5. Black Thumbnail- Easily my favorite track on the CD. I feel like this song is about me, and what a fuck-up I am, lol. So catchy, so true. I love the guitar strumming all the way through. The choruses are complete sexy defiant rampages too. Only KOL could bring us such a fun song. "Now get her, go get her!"
10 -10

6. My Party- At first I hated the effects on Calebs voice, but I got used to it. Very good song. Moody and dark. I need to examine the lyrics more. It would be a punding, crunching badass song to hear live.
8.5 - 10

7. True Love Way- The boys getting mellow and honest to show us this gem! I love it, as do the rest of you. I feel kinda guilty to adore such a sappy song though. At this point the CD reveals that it's not hiding anything.
6.5 - 10

8. Ragoo- Happy up-beat. I think this could be a single easily, successor to the Bucket. Always makes me smile when he says
"that night we had a ball...we had a ball."
9 - 10

9. Fans- A song about being someone's hero. I wish they would've name it something else, something not so obviouse, thats just me.
8 - 10

10. The Runner- a Beautiful little diddy about knowing yourself and whats going on around you. Lullabye tempo and lyrics good, not great. Right about now you missing the Rock'n'roll.
6 - 10

11. Trunk- More slow mellow chill-out tones. Great driving music, and makes me think of old girlfriends who did me wrong. Easily the worst song on the CD, not that its bad though.
5 - 10

12. Camero- Thanks for the pick-me-up. This song is a traditional Kings rocker with a 'BotT' twist. Reminds me of being me. I like it a lot, it also has major single potential, especially here in the states. Grooved out fun and great guitar solos make me happy that they still want to jam.
9 - 10

13. Arizona- Makes you feel warm waves over your body, more driving music. Sit, stare, listen. Makes me feel nostalgic and think about life.
8.5 - 10

A great CD, probably not as good as the last 2, but still deserves the KOL name. The only issue is that the first half is more upbeat that the second, the second half kind of becomes great background music. NOt a bad thing, just different.

[fuzz]

Definitley an album for driving.

This album makes me wonder what kind of sound they will do for their next one.

[ruby]

Ditto