Kings of Leon

Mechanical Bull

RCA, 2013 

Kings of Leon won a Grammy a few years back for a boring and completely unmemorable songs, “Use Somebody.” The song was most notable for hiding the beat nowhere near the 2 or the 4, and being a pale imitation of the bands better material.

Now with their more recent release,  Mechanical Bull, the band has done several things.  Proven they deserved the Grammy, even if they earned it for the wrong number;  remembered they are a rock band that likes to rock,  and have committed some memorable numbers to audio recording, for the first time in several years.

With rock songs designed to sing along with, “Don’t Matter,” “Temple” and the mid-tempo groove of “Rock City,” the band serves up unpretentious rock tunes which are instantly catchy and likable. Gone are all the arty flourishes and farting around attempts to elevate the songs into something more heady and ultimately more interesting.  This is hip shaking, back to basics rock, because whatever that other thing was that they done did, it didn’t work.

This feels right.

“ Beautiful War” is a ballad you won’t be annoyed for hearing.  And the closing number,  “Taking It on the Chin,” is a Tom Petty-ish sort of number that shines in its simplicity.  You might feel like it should be  more complicated or involved. Don’t. Less is more here, and Kings of Leon are worthy of any all respect that may come with their title, because right now, they’ve earned it.