Music Reviews of Modern Rock, Folk, Pop

Music Reviews of Modern Rock, Folk, Alternative, Pop

Kings of Leon — Holy Roller Novocaine EP Buy it at Amazon

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Retro-rock continues to roll forward, and no matter how much some may detest this lazy musical style, it isn`t disappearing as quickly as many hoped. As of such, a continuous wave of new "retro" bands flood the rock shores, and while many are washed away in the tide, occasionally a special kind of group cling to the rocks and survive. Now it`s too early to tell whether or not Kings of Leon will be one of those special bands or simply another batch of musicians to be swept away as this trend withers in popularity, but judging by the five songs that make up Holy Roller Novocaine, they have a fighting chance. The band, made up of three brothers and their first cousin (all sharing the surname Followill), deliver a solid burst of oldies rock with enough flair to get your feet tapping. To say Kings of Leon are fresh and original would be a bold-faced lie, yet their down home bluesy rock style is easily superior to the grating garage rock so many other groups hope to emulate. That`s a prominent Rolling Stone influence to this EP, yet unlike The Hives, Kings of Leon attempt to become more then a glorified clone, turning the classic sound into their own vehicle. Jared`s pulsating bass groove accompanied by Matthew`s distinct guitar twang on "Wasted Time" recalls Golden Earring`s "Radar Love", yet the dual vocal drawl of Nathan & Caleb carry a stoner-rock quality more reminiscent of BLANK. The oddity of this EP is that it has the pretense of retro-rock, yet Kings of Leon don`t rest on their laurels. "California Waiting" is an exceptional modern rock cut that drops all of the retro allure and replaces it with a astounding pop hooks. "Wicker Chair" is practically country, yet is instilled with a Dylanesque vibe that manages to avoid feeling antiquated. These two songs are what make Kings of Leon appear more legitimate as a rock band in the 21st century, as they allude to what the band could turn to with future efforts if the retro fad evaporates in the next year or two, and these examples are what kept me coming back for more. As of such, Holy Roller Novocaine is a unique album in the simple fact that these four relatives show an aptitude for greater things, and don`t seem confined strictly to the genre they have been carried in upon, and while not everything within carries significant weight, it would be no surprise at all to see Kings of Leon finding a rock and roll life after the garage rock hype has worn it`s welcome and sailed into the night.

- LochnessPimpster

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