Because Of The Times
by Kings of Leon
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Apr 3, 2007
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. NOW Magazine
    60
    Kings of Leon often seem torn between their stadium rawk impulses and their hip underground aspirations.
  2. Stylus Magazine
    42
    Because of the Times validates the theory that the Kings of Leon are merely the Eagles in wolf’s clothing (or the Strokes in overalls), being that the album’s collection of tales, focusing solely on hard-living and harder women, are but hokey pulp fictions disguised with mellowed sincerity, played out on mythical dirt roads and overgrown farmhouses.
  3. Spin
    50
    This LP sounds too close to unfocused jamming. [Apr 2007, p.95]
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  5. Pitchfork
    54
    Flirtations with big-sky atmospherics can hardly hold these songs together. What sounds like a hodgepodge of Edgy experiments and raised-Zippo nostalgia is just that: a hodgepodge.
  6. AllMusic
    60
    The general move away from strong, hooky choruses to a focus on expansive, intricate and percussive arrangements may challenge casual and even some longtime fans of the band's catchy, Southern garage rock twang.

Awards & Rankings

94
#94 Best Album of 2007
37
#37 Most Discussed Album of 2007

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 184 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 153 out of 184
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 184
  3. Negative: 16 out of 184
  1. OzzL
    Mar 6, 2009
    8
    Possibly their best album to date. Shame the sales weren't what they deserved to be. The first half of the album is rocky and Possibly their best album to date. Shame the sales weren't what they deserved to be. The first half of the album is rocky and aggressive. The second half of the album is mature and musically brilliant. On the whole a good album.… Full Review »
  2. Ricko
    Dec 5, 2017
    9
    Kings of Leon keep the quality levels high on their 3rd record. A clear move is felt from alternative guitar rock to a denser, heavier rockKings of Leon keep the quality levels high on their 3rd record. A clear move is felt from alternative guitar rock to a denser, heavier rock aiming for the stadiums can be heard here. This is in contrast to what had gone before with the band. "Because Of The Times" is an out and out rock record it's the first time in the bands career that you can hear the songs being written for huge stadium gigs. The tunes are quite strong on this and the record helped propell the band to massive stardom. As time has passed this record, while not as blistering as it initially sounded, still holds up well. "Charmer", "On Call" and "Ragoo" rank as my favourite tracks from the album.… Full Review »
  3. normankant
    Jun 9, 2015
    8
    This one is a great record. It has lots of influences, some of them more recent than others, but in the end the songwriting is great and theThis one is a great record. It has lots of influences, some of them more recent than others, but in the end the songwriting is great and the swagger is high in the more "rock" tracks (ex. Charmer).… Full Review »
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