why do people like the Kings of Leon?

― Leon the Fatboy (Ex Leon), Friday, 4 February 2005 15:12 (5 years ago) Permalink

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 4 February 2005 15:13 (5 years ago) Permalink

― Morley Timmons (Donna Brown), Friday, 4 February 2005 23:55 (5 years ago) Permalink

― miccio (miccio), Friday, 4 February 2005 23:56 (5 years ago) Permalink

― Morley Timmons (Donna Brown), Friday, 4 February 2005 23:59 (5 years ago) Permalink

― Shakey Mo Collier, Saturday, 5 February 2005 00:01 (5 years ago) Permalink

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 5 February 2005 00:05 (5 years ago) Permalink

http://nytimes.com/2005/03/04/arts/music/04LEON.html?8hpib

― Keith C (kcraw916), Friday, 4 March 2005 14:52 (5 years ago) Permalink

― Hurlothrumbo (hurlothrumbo), Friday, 4 March 2005 17:32 (5 years ago) Permalink

― Ozewayo (ozewayo), Friday, 4 March 2005 17:41 (5 years ago) Permalink

― The Brainwasher (Twilight), Friday, 4 March 2005 17:46 (5 years ago) Permalink

Apparently it's cos they use the word "sex" in their new song. This doesn't make much sense to me.

― Niles Caulder, Tuesday, 7 October 2008 07:17 (1 year ago) Permalink

sex on toast

― jonty alouette (electricsound), Tuesday, 7 October 2008 07:34 (1 year ago) Permalink

That song is possibly the least sexy thing I've heard in my entire life.

In fact, it's so unsexy it should be posited as a form of contraception on the TMI board.

― Calculus of Rock (Masonic Boom), Tuesday, 7 October 2008 09:12 (1 year ago) Permalink

That's what I don't get. Saying "sex" isn't v sexy. "Hey hon, wanna have sex? I'll use my penis!" etc.

― Niles Caulder, Tuesday, 7 October 2008 15:58 (1 year ago) Permalink

I don't mind the song actually but getting excited about the lyrics is weird

― Niles Caulder, Tuesday, 7 October 2008 15:59 (1 year ago) Permalink

i saw them open for radiohead at the apw festival. my first thought was "where did all these kings of leon fans come from?"

― Creeztophair, Tuesday, 7 October 2008 16:26 (1 year ago) Permalink

I don't think they've turned off as many people with later stuff as the Strokes did.

― Niles Caulder, Tuesday, 7 October 2008 16:28 (1 year ago) Permalink

I'm mystified by their success, but then again, I'm mystified by a lot of things (why do people like Klaxons, after all? I don't get it! I've had conversations that are like, "you know, please explain to me what you hear in this music because I really don't understand the appeal - am I missing something?")

But what I'm *really* mystified is their appeal to people who really *should* know better. Like, I said something snotty about them on the BJM forum of all places, and got torn a new arsehole - like wah?

(Though I suppose that says more about the influx of the type of "new BJM fan" that has happened post-DIG! than it does about the Kings of Leon.)

Anyway, that's enough of my old fart railing against rubbish youthmusic rants for today.

― Calculus of Rock (Masonic Boom), Tuesday, 7 October 2008 16:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

Oddly enough I don't find his voice annoying, for most annoying voices I'd turn to almost everything brit-pop has to offer. I mean Starsailor, Coldplay, Keane, Muse, Athlete, Travis, Thirteen senses..., those guys do know how to turn up the annoying factor all the way up with the vocals.

― Moka, Tuesday, 7 October 2008 18:55 (1 year ago) Permalink

Since they sent four copies of their first album to my tiny-ass former magazine job, I assumed that many people liked them because they were some of the first promo albums they ever got.

Also, because far more people like the idea of Lynryd Skynyrd than have actually listened to any Lynyrd Skynyrd past "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird." Or, because there will always be room for .38 SPecial in the world, even if they're made infinitely shittier by some tacked-on indie rock tropes.

Or perhaps the media elite's condescension toward a Bowdlerized and neutered vision of the South?

― THESE ARE MY FEELINGS! FEEL MY FEELINGS! (I eat cannibals), Tuesday, 7 October 2008 21:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

.38 Special are great! Kings of Leon are shit.

― original dixieland jaas band (Curt1s Stephens), Tuesday, 7 October 2008 21:18 (1 year ago) Permalink

The big single I hear on the radio is good, otherwise they seem so generic, like someone pressed the "rock" button and ta-da: generic rock band.

― Spencer Chow, Wednesday, 8 October 2008 17:44 (1 year ago) Permalink

good hair

― henry s, Wednesday, 8 October 2008 19:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE GOOD HAIR!!! THEIR HAIR IS RUBBITCH!!!!

― C M Y Kate (Masonic Boom), Wednesday, 8 October 2008 19:57 (1 year ago) Permalink

But what I'm *really* mystified is their appeal to people who really *should* know better.

what does this mean, and is it somehow less pompous than it seems (no offense)? the chorus of the sex song is unforgivable, but these guys seem like a pretty random whipping-boy for ilx to seize upon. what is so offensive about them exactly? there's not a whole lot of specifics going on in this thread.

i prefer them to most new radio rock that i hear. there's a looseness and intimacy in the production, the singer sounds like a tired child or something, but it works in context to hold the line between between their energy and the timeless rootsy sound they cultivate, and they remind me of driving to some cabin the woods to drink a thousand rums with friends. their lyrics i don't care about.

― rent, Wednesday, 8 October 2008 20:12 (1 year ago) Permalink

I would also like an answer to the title question. They're absolutely *huge* in Ireland - they've sold out a few decent-sized gigs in the last year, and are back yet again to play The O2 (capacity ~13,000) at Christmas. They've made a serious dent in both singles and album charts, and if I have a guitar in my hand in some random place, someone inevitably asks me to play a Kings of Leon song. Maybe I'm just bitter because my pet favourite American bands (My Morning Jacket, Spoon, Viva Voce, and others) are complete unknowns.

Actually, that's another thing. My Morning Jacket are playing here this month, and they're supporting effin' Seasick Steve? What next? Maybe My Bloody Valentine could support Electric Six.

P.S. I am not a rockist (I think)

― ecuador_with_a_c, Thursday, 9 October 2008 00:51 (1 year ago) Permalink

otm KoL is a great band.

― Choose Leif, Thursday, 9 October 2008 00:56 (1 year ago) Permalink

Maybe I'm just bitter because my pet favourite American bands (My Morning Jacket, Spoon, Viva Voce, and others) are complete unknowns.

!?!?! on what planet? MMJ are playing the big day out here AND supporting Neil Young and people talk about bloody Spoon all the time.

PS Kings of Leon suck.

― Trayce, Thursday, 9 October 2008 01:00 (1 year ago) Permalink

Fuckin Spoon, they talk about them here too. I bet you like the New Pornographers

― Niles Caulder, Thursday, 9 October 2008 01:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

KoL live are amazing.

― Choose Leif, Thursday, 9 October 2008 01:03 (1 year ago) Permalink

MMJ are playing the big day out here AND supporting Neil Young and people talk about bloody Spoon all the time.

Sorry, was still talking about just my experience in Ireland, where they are completely unknown. I suppose I've been thinking a lot about what does and doesn't cross borders successfully lately - MGMT for example are pretty big here too - go to any random bar/club on a Fri/Sat and chances are you'll hear one MGMT song, Justice too, although I have plenty of French friends who swear you'd never hear Justice in most parts of France. I'll shut up now, I've completely drifted off the point.

― ecuador_with_a_c, Thursday, 9 October 2008 01:59 (1 year ago) Permalink

I like the New Pornographers. Their set last Saturday night was excellent, even sans Neko. And their piss-take of Bryan Adams, Nickelback and Pearl Jam was fucking hilarious.

― Oh noes! (SeekAltRoute), Monday, 13 October 2008 02:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

so sick of this terrible band

― Minister for Compression Issues (electricsound), Friday, 19 December 2008 04:19 (1 year ago) Permalink

Sex Is On Fire is a rad single.

― makeitpop, Friday, 19 December 2008 04:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

KoL live are amazing.

― Choose Leif, Wednesday, October 8, 2008 9:03 PM (2 months ago)

NO!. NOT TRUE.

― Creeztophair, Friday, 19 December 2008 05:15 (1 year ago) Permalink

haha don't get too worked up man that post is from a well-known sockpuppet

― robschneiderMk2 (J0rdan S.), Friday, 19 December 2008 05:16 (1 year ago) Permalink

why do people like the Kings of Leon?

Because one of them won at Ludlow yesterday at 25/1 !!!
http://horses.sportinglife.com/Full_Results/0,12493,289432,00.html

― Lincolnshire, Friday, 19 December 2008 06:15 (1 year ago) Permalink

lool

― Merry Christuomas (electricsound), Friday, 19 December 2008 06:16 (1 year ago) Permalink

haven't heard them in a while. first thing i remember about them was a being gimmicky southern rock strokes. not that the songs were terrible. i jammed to molly chambers in college.

― Andrew Sandwich, Friday, 19 December 2008 06:27 (1 year ago) Permalink

I quite like Sex on Fire. Catchy tune and *giggle* it has the dirty word in it. But then I realize that my inability to really distinguish between rub and grebt songs/albums/bands comes from my lack of music listening. I hae slipped into the ole abyss of nothingness: I rarely l isten to much cause, well, kids prefer you put a Pooh DVD on so it all erodes. Still, Sex on Fire is quite catchy. I loathed their first singles though. Yikes.

― Nathalie (stevienixed), Friday, 19 December 2008 08:38 (1 year ago) Permalink

The singer's voice just has always clicked for me. I've heard a lot of people say the opposite.

Their lyrics are generally bone(r)-headed but besides that (and this based on the first two albums alone) I've found their songwriting to be pretty tight and effective. See: King of the Rodeo; rhythmically taut with a concise melodic structure. Spoon's country cousin (horny younger brother)?

Yeah not focusing on the lyrics helps.

― yoshinorimike, Friday, 19 December 2008 10:15 (1 year ago) Permalink

Have heard this album well over twenty times in the last two months at work, and I can say with some degree of certainty that it is absolutely terrible. It just plods on and on and on and on and on...

― Gukbe, Wednesday, 24 December 2008 16:21 (1 year ago) Permalink

I am not qualified to answer this question

― butt-rock miyagi (rogermexico.), Wednesday, 24 December 2008 16:32 (1 year ago) Permalink

my thoughts here:

http://blog.rhapsody.com/2008/11/the-new-january-2009-issue-of-blender-includes-among-many-other-things-a-list-of-the-top-144-songs-of-2008-as-presumably-s.html

― xhuxk, Wednesday, 24 December 2008 17:08 (1 year ago) Permalink

http://www.billboard.com/news/kings-of-leon-ready-remix-album-live-dvd-1004006418.story#/news/kings-of-leon-ready-remix-album-live-dvd-1004006418.story

― vain_bowers, Thursday, 27 August 2009 09:46 (1 year ago) Permalink

Even more exciting, however, is a remix album that came to life after Kings of Leon learned that other artists such as Justin Timberlake and Pharrell had started working on revisions of the band's songs. Mark Ronson, Kenna, Lykke Li and Linkin Park are also contributing remixes, according to Followill.

Worst record of 2010, I'm calling it.

― Tuncay Stryder (Matt DC), Thursday, 27 August 2009 10:08 (1 year ago) Permalink

http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/24/kings.of.leon.pigeons/index.html

Pooping pigeons forced the Kings of Leon to abandon their St. Louis, Missouri, concert after just three songs Friday night, the rock band's management said Saturday.

An infestation of the birds in the rafters of the Verizon Amphitheatre bombarded the musicians as soon as they took the stage, according to Andy Mendelsohn of Vector Management.

"Jared (Followill) was hit several times during the first two songs," Mendelsohn said of the band's bassist.

"It's not only disgusting -- it's a toxic health hazard. They really tried to hang in there," Mendelsohn added.

Followill, who describes himself as a "germophobe," said there was already poop on his pedal and carpet when he walked out on stage.

The aerial attack began during the opening song -- "Closer" -- when he was bombed in the face. His bass tech wiped most of it off with a sanitary wipe, he said.

Excrement struck each of his arms over the next two numbers, he said.

"I was hit by pigeons on each of the first three songs," he said. "We had 20 songs on the set list. By the end of the show, I would have been covered from head to toe."

Followill said he couldn't see the pigeons above him and he had no idea how many there were.

"The last thing I was going to do was look up ... but if that was only a couple, we must have caught them right after a big Thanksgiving dinner," he quipped.

The group was determined to play for St. Louis fans even though they had fair warning earlier about the pigeon problem.

Opening bands The Postelles and The Stills came offstage complaining of getting riddled with large amounts of excrement, their publicist said.

"The Kings of Leon decided to carry on regardless," they said in a statement released Saturday. "The band felt it would be unfair to the fans to cancel the show at that late moment."

"We couldn't believe what The Postelles and The Stills looked like after their sets," Followill said. "We didn't want to cancel the show, so we went for it. We tried to play. It was ridiculous."

Followill's mother called him when she heard from friends at the show that it had been abruptly ended.

"I was attacked, Mom, but not by humans," Followill said he told her.

Venue managers told the band's representatives earlier Friday about "a significant pigeon infestation problem with summer shows over the years, but they were doing all they could to fix it," the statement said.

"We want to apologize to our fans in St. Louis and will come back as soon as we can," Mendelsohn said.

Concertgoers were apparently spared the aerial bombardment.

"No fans got pooped on as far as we know," the band's publicist said

― litel, Saturday, 24 July 2010 23:06 (1 month ago) Permalink

cosmic justice

― markers, Saturday, 24 July 2010 23:20 (1 month ago) Permalink

Would they have closed with "Opener"?

― Evan, Saturday, 24 July 2010 23:33 (1 month ago) Permalink

"No fans got pooped on as far as we know," the band's publicist said

"The Kings of Leon decided to carry on regardless"

Second statement giving the lie to the first

― flashing drill + penis fan (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 24 July 2010 23:35 (1 month ago) Permalink

I'm just surprised they have sanitary standards, considering that their music feels like a gas station bathroom.

― litel, Saturday, 24 July 2010 23:36 (1 month ago) Permalink

triumph the insult comic dog to thread

― iago g., Sunday, 25 July 2010 00:28 (1 month ago) Permalink

cankles to thread

― markers, Sunday, 25 July 2010 01:15 (1 month ago) Permalink

is it standard CNN practice to open articles with words such as 'pooping'?

― Merdeyeux, Sunday, 25 July 2010 01:19 (1 month ago) Permalink

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: Excrement did not hit the fans

― markers, Sunday, 25 July 2010 01:21 (1 month ago) Permalink

actually, all of it:

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: Excrement did not hit the fans
The band decided to take the stage despite bombardment on openers
The show ended when excrement landed on the bassist's cheek
Kings of Leon were warned about pigeon infestation

― markers, Sunday, 25 July 2010 01:22 (1 month ago) Permalink

Don't really get the Skynyrd comparisons; if you're going to compare them to southern rock bands, I'd say they're closer to early R.E.M. at times, kind of grafted onto a U2 template along with some post-punk touches (there's even a Hooky bassline on one of their songs) -- not horrible, not necessarily or particularly loveable in this incarnation. Oversize spatial melodic sound. Lead singer a dealmaker/breaker, though. I actually quite like his damaged voice, which explains why I'm far from stanning yet can't find it in me to hate.

― Lostandfound, Sunday, 25 July 2010 02:33 (1 month ago) Permalink

(I now nominate myself for that "worst taste on ILM" thread, lol.)

― Lostandfound, Sunday, 25 July 2010 02:35 (1 month ago) Permalink

It's not only disgusting -- it's a toxic health hazard

for a moment, wasn't sure if this quote referred to the "pooping pigeons" or the "kings of leon."

― Daniel, Esq., Sunday, 25 July 2010 02:43 (1 month ago) Permalink

They suck, but yeah, they sound nothing at all like Skynyrd (or 38 Special, for that matter.)

Singles Jukebox, last year:

http://www.thesinglesjukebox.com/?p=1024

Bird poop story is very funny.

― xhuxk, Sunday, 25 July 2010 02:44 (1 month ago) Permalink

and in the end, the kings were felled by "pooping pigeons."

― Daniel, Esq., Sunday, 25 July 2010 02:45 (1 month ago) Permalink

they sound nothing at all like . . . 38 Special

damn right; i have fond memories of .38 special.

― Daniel, Esq., Sunday, 25 July 2010 02:46 (1 month ago) Permalink

This story is AMAZING.

― ilxor has truly been got at and become an ILXor (ilxor), Sunday, 25 July 2010 02:53 (1 month ago) Permalink

Good story. Did lol.

I still like "King Of The Rodeo."

― billstevejim, Sunday, 25 July 2010 03:05 (1 month ago) Permalink

And "Charmer" reminds me of The Pixies.

― billstevejim, Sunday, 25 July 2010 03:05 (1 month ago) Permalink

Sorry, yes, I should have mentioned that the story contained much lolworthiness before I got all earnest there. :)

― Lostandfound, Sunday, 25 July 2010 03:13 (1 month ago) Permalink

lol i heard about that show. word on the street is that apparently they were desperate to find an excuse not to play that particular show though

― teledyldonix, Sunday, 25 July 2010 03:38 (1 month ago) Permalink

they should tour with hazmat suits

― markers, Sunday, 25 July 2010 03:42 (1 month ago) Permalink

This is like the opposite of GG Allin and The Dillinger Escape Plan who throw their own crap AT the audience.

― billstevejim, Sunday, 25 July 2010 03:43 (1 month ago) Permalink

You know, when critical consensus eventually swings back to the Kings Of Leon -- as it will (okay, might) one day -- my post in here will be seen as courageously pioneering and prophetic... as well as endearingly otm, right?

― Lostandfound, Sunday, 25 July 2010 03:47 (1 month ago) Permalink

St Louis pigeons otm

― les yeux sans aerosmith (underrated aerosmith albums I have loved), Sunday, 25 July 2010 07:25 (1 month ago) Permalink

Hoping they play somewhere with a condor population soon.

― flashing drill + penis fan (Noodle Vague), Sunday, 25 July 2010 08:10 (1 month ago) Permalink

Do their fans get their money back? If not, fuck this band. Also,

His bass tech wiped most of it off with a sanitary wipe = worst job in the WORLD

― Becky Facelift, Monday, 26 July 2010 08:47 (1 month ago) Permalink

"It seems that the pigeons that live in the rafters of the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater aren't Kings of Leon fans."

who can blame them?

― Daniel, Esq., Monday, 26 July 2010 14:05 (1 month ago) Permalink

yes they got their money back. but LOL, i was listening to radio the other day and some director person came on and gave a statement re: the incident and asked 'listeners' to go to the website and tell them whether it has affected their opinion of them and their music, and also whether the station should continue playing kol's music. lmfao.

― teledyldonix, Monday, 26 July 2010 20:56 (1 month ago) Permalink

this is a Musical Event on the scale of Dylan going electric, and we forget the lessons it taught us all at our peril

― markers, Monday, 26 July 2010 21:40 (1 month ago) Permalink

The pooping pigeons criticize more music:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/jul/28/kings-leon-pigeons-review-singles

― xhuxk, Wednesday, 28 July 2010 21:53 (1 month ago) Permalink

Nickelback – This Afternoon
There is no word in the world that loosens a stout pigeon's bowel faster than "Nickelback". In fact, were Chad Kroeger ever to look up from his gnarly grunt-rock work-bench he'd realise the cloud of existential angst that's been shadowing him his whole life is actually a flock of circling pigeons desperate for the glory of firing a hot, wet pellet of excremental gut-juice directly into his yowling great gob. Any noble bird who scores a direct hit on Chad is made King of the Buttock Bombers and given exclusive access to our treasured cigarette butt stash for an hour. Indeed, we have been collecting our moistest excretions in a large barrel for the day we could funnel it over the turgid, formulaic dope anthem that is This Afternoon. "Looking like another Bob Marley day …" Is it? You spliffed-up, bottle-blond, varnish-faced BASTARD!

― ilxor has truly been got at and become an ILXor (ilxor), Wednesday, 28 July 2010 21:55 (1 month ago) Permalink

Brad Paisley for the goddamn win

― Ned Raggett, Friday, 30 July 2010 21:36 (1 month ago) Permalink

LOL

― ilxor has truly been got at and become an ILXor (ilxor), Friday, 30 July 2010 21:37 (1 month ago) Permalink