What's so great about KoL?

[countess of leon]

In case you think I got inspired by the .....'kind of sucks' thread, you are right.

But only because it got me thinking.

I think that musically they are the best band I've heard. But I don't really know why, because I'm not musically trained. Some reasons I thought of were:

The lead voice is an instrument in itself, and rather than repeating a guitar/keyboard melody it has its own tune;

In every song there is a change of rhythm and/or change of key that somehow just fits.


That's about all I can think of. At the risk of sounding over analytical, what does anyone else think? I understand there is something unique about their music but can't put my own finger on it.

Any ideas gratefully received

[kjam1988]

tight riffs

[countess of leon]

kjam1988 said:

tight riffs

Do you really think that's all it is?

And wouldn't you say the riffs are to do with the performance rather than the musical composition?

As I said I'm not musically trained so anyone feel free to correct me...but in my amateurish way it seems to me that it is actually the composition of the songs that stands out.

[peacebone]

kjam1988 said:

tight riffs

and tight pants

honestly, looking at their "body of work" from the compositional aspect there isn't much change in key from song to song, but their religious/musical background really influences the beat of their music and that has a huge impact on how catchy their music is.

but most importantly they have tight riffs

[kjam1988]

tight riffs and tight pants

end of thread

[peacebone]

kjam1988 said:

tight riffs and tight pants

end of thread

agreed, I'm satisfied with that equation, never fails. it's a scientific FACT.

[crazycarla]

and calebs sexy (dont forget that)

[jamiemac]

clean, simple bass that sounds wicked!

[milf]

When I saw this thread I was like:

Notanotherdickheadwhojoinsaforumjusttobashtheband.

But you're not! And I think you bring up a very good point.
In my opinion, Kings of Leon are very unique for a few reasons.
The actual sound is very clear and precise, not just on a cd, but when you go to their concert, you can hear every instrument very precisely, it's not just an ocean of noise.

Caleb's voice is unique.
In America ofcourse, they have a lot of Southern singers and that's why I think they not as big there as they are in Europe. Caleb's voice is strong and lovely, but it just doesn't have appeal to the majority of Americans who never hear of anything past the top 40, and the ones who like country rooted music will go for pop centred crap like Carrie Underwood or something. They take the best of indie rock and roll but with obvious southern elements.

Lyrics are good, but not the reason for their success.

They have a knack for writing catchy tunes, but they still remain credible post radio/tv raping.

And the band themselves cater to a big audience. Generally honest, funny and good-looking guys with an interesting history and who all happen to be in the same family, caught up in a rock and roll world.

[GirlAnachronism]

Caleb's unique vocals and the bass and also the drumming in the songs is great.

And the fact that they can have such huge anthemic songs like Trani, knocked Up and Arizona and then such short catchy ones like POF, TJG, Charmer, RML and so on.

Who could forget Matt's great guitar solos too!

[mrsjjfollowill]

there as sooo many things that i love about KOL

1- (esp. when they started) they are so different to whats around musically
2- i adore them as a group from Calebs beautiful voice to Matts great guitar skills to Nathans banging drums to Jared's incredible bass lines
3- also just to add to what i said for 2 they don't seem to compete as to whos the best which makes their music even better, they work on their own intruments
4-they work so darn hard to make great music, i respect their passion for music on a whole

[xlouisex]

Everything about the kings is great,
their talent, their sense of humour, their looks..

[amycakes]

they're a really tight band. when they play live it's almost like listening to the record.

[kjam1988]

amycakes said:

they're a really tight band. when they play live it's almost like listening to the record.

and that is exactly why i think they suck

[chandler]

How articulate of you. Saying something 'sucks' is hardly a meaningful way of putting it. And you had the cheek to say we could come up with no valid reasons why we think they are a decent band? You are a hypocrite, my dear.

[kjam1988]

chandler said:

How articulate of you. Saying something 'sucks' is hardly a meaningful way of putting it. And you had the cheek to say we could come up with no valid reasons why we think they are a decent band? You are a hypocrite, my dear.

OK. They lack the creativity to diversify their music. Particularly in a live setting. Anybody can play the songs exactly from their recordings. It's what they practice over and over. What makes a band great is the ability or the desire to stretch the boundaries and come up with something nobody has heard before. They do nothing influential, they do nothing to make your jaw drop. Which is sad because I think they have the ability to do it, they just don't want to. They have the ability to whip out a crazy ass solo on nothing but a whim and make you say "damn." But they don't. Why? They go up on stage every night for one reason: to satisfy those casual fans who heard a song or two on the radio.

And therefore, they suck.

The last part is, of course, my opinion and nothing else. Don't take it personally.

[kjam1988]

In short, more style than substance. They seem extremely concerned with fashion, parties and women.

[chandler]

Well anyways, I agreed with you that they need to diversify their live set a bit, I went into it in great detail in your thread. But I don't think that means they 'suck'. Their body of work as a whole on record is enough to class them as a band worthy of respect and critical acclaim, and is worthy of a lot more respect than any of those shitty hype bands out there who fade after a couple of albums. The kings have got one thing many other bands covet and that is the potential for longevity. If they continue to develop on record as they have been doing they will still be around and making excellent music for many years to come.

[countess of leon]

milf said:

When I saw this thread I was like:

Notanotherdickheadwhojoinsaforumjusttobashtheband.

But you're not! And I think you bring up a very good point.
In my opinion, Kings of Leon are very unique for a few reasons.
The actual sound is very clear and precise, not just on a cd, but when you go to their concert, you can hear every instrument very precisely, it's not just an ocean of noise.

Caleb's voice is unique.
In America ofcourse, they have a lot of Southern singers and that's why I think they not as big there as they are in Europe. Caleb's voice is strong and lovely, but it just doesn't have appeal to the majority of Americans who never hear of anything past the top 40, and the ones who like country rooted music will go for pop centred crap like Carrie Underwood or something. They take the best of indie rock and roll but with obvious southern elements.

Lyrics are good, but not the reason for their success.

They have a knack for writing catchy tunes, but they still remain credible post radio/tv raping.

And the band themselves cater to a big audience. Generally honest, funny and good-looking guys with an interesting history and who all happen to be in the same family, caught up in a rock and roll world.

Thanks - karma to you - I was beginning to regret it as a stupid question no one wanted to answer!

And I think you are right.....Caleb's voice is magnetic somehow. I hadn't thought that there might be thousands of southern states americans who sound similar!

Like lots of people I think I like their music independent of the lyrics cos I could never understand them, but it didn't matter.

I suppose it's impossible to sever the music from their background - and maybe I am constantly aware of their family history, and it's all wrapped up together.

[kjam1988]

thats really wonderful. exactly what i was looking for. you bring up a fantastic point; they're young. lots of room to develop and expand. and yes, they are far more superior to the majority of those shitty hype band out there.

if i really thought this band was just a steaming pile of shit that deserved absolutely no credit i would not be on the internet discussing this. i wouldn't go on a nickelback forum and say they suck.