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

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. 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 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 hugeKings 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.… Expand
  2. Vampire25
    Dec 15, 2010
    9
    Because Of The Times is a great album. The Sound of it all sounds so much more unique from their previous albums. Caleb's voice has definitely matured. So many amazing tracks. The album starts off with the slow-burning "Knocked Up" which is just a great song to kick off the album with. "Charmer" is a really playful song. Caleb's yell catches your attention quick. "On Call", "My Party",Because Of The Times is a great album. The Sound of it all sounds so much more unique from their previous albums. Caleb's voice has definitely matured. So many amazing tracks. The album starts off with the slow-burning "Knocked Up" which is just a great song to kick off the album with. "Charmer" is a really playful song. Caleb's yell catches your attention quick. "On Call", "My Party", and "Ragoo" are all wonderful songs. All In All, "Because Of The Times" is The Kings Of Leon's second best album. A-… Expand
  3. j30
    Feb 19, 2012
    8
    Because Of The Times is King of Leon's best album. The music doesn't have as much of a pop flavor as their previous efforts, but a raw rock sound that's different from anything they've done. This is kind of a turning point for them, unfortunately from here they took the wrong path.
  4. 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 the swagger is high in the more "rock" tracks (ex. Charmer).
  5. Kernzzi
    Oct 10, 2010
    10
    best album of the decade. enough said.
  6. MattBellamy
    Sep 17, 2010
    10
    Kings of leon changed their style for the better.They're half hard rock half soft rock style finally works on this record.My problem with old KOL was that theyre slower songs lacked feeling and were ultimitly boring.'Arizona' and 'The Runner' are highlights on this terrific album
  7. DOWNEY2010
    Oct 21, 2010
    10
    Arizona is one of the best songs I have ever heard, just one of the many highlights on this album. Big change in the kings sound in this album but it works perfectly.
  8. Herecomesyourma
    Oct 30, 2013
    10
    Without doubt kings of Leon's best piece of work. The album kicks off with the epic knocked up, seven and half minutes of jaw dropping music. This album blends kings of Leon's new massive sound with their old southern roots. A great album from start to finish.
  9. ArjenD
    May 8, 2007
    9
    Much, much better than their first two records. I didn't like them at all but Because of the Times is really wonderful! It is stuck on my iPod at the moment.
  10. StevenH.
    Mar 8, 2008
    7
    A little more up-and-down than most albums, but when it's up it's pretty damn catchy. Solid effort.
  11. TP
    Mar 29, 2007
    10
    Absolutely nothing to be disappointed about here. A Classic.
  12. jakeg
    Mar 29, 2007
    10
    This bands sound is unique, catchy and it is great
  13. jd
    Apr 3, 2007
    9
    I admit, I was mislead by the music they have posted on MySpace. This album is refreshing. Straight up, head nodding beats. Great vocals. More good songs than bad. The song "Fans" is one of my new fave. songs.
  14. AndrewB
    Apr 4, 2007
    10
    this album was so good it beats ford rovers!
  15. beckysfd
    Apr 7, 2007
    10
    great work, boys
  16. Jamie
    Sep 6, 2007
    9
    The year is rapidly coming to a close and it's my favorite of the year too - and I hadn't owned anything of theirs previously and went out and bought all of it on the strength of this.
  17. Arte
    Feb 3, 2008
    9
    Has it's ups and downs like any CD and it certainly can't touch their marvellous debut, but a superb offerng nonetheless. Some fans of the band might not appreciate the new direction, but most Rock'n'Rollers will enjoy this one.
  18. 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 aggressive. The second half of the album is mature and musically brilliant. On the whole a good album.
  19. TB2
    Mar 29, 2007
    9
    Great album. A little more matured for the more matured rock your socks off listener. I believe "Filter" magazine had it right with "This is meat and 'taters rock mixed with the Devil's blood." Good stuff and mixes well with Black Crowes, Drive-by-Truckers, etc.
  20. JonathanE.
    Mar 30, 2007
    9
    I was surprised by this record. I liked their last record "Aha Shake Heartbreak", it had a few great songs but it was a bit unfocused and not quite all the way there. With "Because of the Times" Kings of Leon have finally arrived delivering a cohesive album full of brilliant songs. Great vocals, great guitar playing, and great mood throughout.
  21. JoachimH
    Mar 31, 2007
    9
    This is by far the best album of 2007! Caleb have not sounded better for years, and the rest of the band swings so cool. This bad-ass-rock-n-roll-album is a must for every fan of Jet, The Fratellis, The Vines or just for fans of good rock. The best number is the amazing single "On Call", and i strongly recommend this album to everyone!
  22. TrinaG.
    Mar 3, 2007
    9
    If nothing else I do believe the "Because Of The Times" will finally clue the US into what the UK has known for quite some time: that Kings of Leon are a musical force worthy of their constant praise. I've been listening to this album for 3 weeks and it's only gotten better. Known for their unique type of bruising, muscular and chucky southern fried rock they have had quite a If nothing else I do believe the "Because Of The Times" will finally clue the US into what the UK has known for quite some time: that Kings of Leon are a musical force worthy of their constant praise. I've been listening to this album for 3 weeks and it's only gotten better. Known for their unique type of bruising, muscular and chucky southern fried rock they have had quite a following since they hit the world stage as the opening band for U2 during their monster Vertigo tour. KOL could have easily made album #3 a near replica of albums # 1 and 2 and their fans would have probably loved it. But something happened in the past two years; I guess touring witht he like of U2, Pearl Jam and Bob Dylan is an education unlike anything else because those KOL gents seem to have grown up nicely (musically, if nothing else). The first single "On Call" is pure testament to that. When I first heard a live version of this song my initial reaction was: "Where the f*ck did that song come from?" The song is sexy, mature...the hollow effects, the vocal delivery...it's a very "adult" departure from their usual punchy, almost violent southern rock but it's still all their sound. That was my hook. There's a lot of musical variation to dig into from "Arizona", which is just dead lovely, to "True Love Way" to "Charmer" which makes me marvel at Caleb's vocal ability. And Caleb's vocals are flexing throughout this album; so much tone and texture to that voice I forget that he's do young If this album doesn't seal KOL into the musical minds of people, nothing will.… Expand
  23. winstong
    Mar 5, 2007
    10
    Breath of fresh air,they needed to oull off a good album and theyve done it in style!!
  24. JosephA
    Apr 11, 2007
    9
    Wow, I thought their last album was complete crap with hints of promise and I absolutely was not interested in hearing their new one. Well, thank god I gave it a shot!! Those hints of promise have blossomed in a massive way, the album is excellent.
  25. Gina.P
    Apr 10, 2007
    10
    This album is definitely a 10. You would have never expected it from them. It's emotional and rough at the same time. Like a jam session with emotion. Amazing, you should all listen.
  26. tonyS
    Apr 1, 2007
    7
    i enjoy alot of the songs, but think the score is a bit to high, id say it deserves about a 65-70, not at all a bad album, then again perhaps it needs to just grow on me. I do know one thing for sure, "charmer", the yelling is flat out annoying.
  27. RubS
    Apr 1, 2007
    9
    It's awesome - don't like a few moments on the songs, but it is still pretty cool!
  28. JimmyT
    Apr 17, 2007
    9
    Because of the time is an awe-inspiring album, a step up from the already high-flying Aha Shake Heartbreak. White this release Kings of Leon prove they are more than a one trick pony and pave their ways to rock superstardom
  29. Aric
    Apr 2, 2007
    9
    A more focused album by a brilliant band on the verge of a great career! 'Kings' have a sound that is a complex mix of many influences too often pigeon-holed as Southern Rock. Listen to tracks like "On Call", " Knocked Up", "Ragoo" and my personal favorite "McFearless" and you will hear music from a band too young for this amount of scope.
  30. luisv
    Apr 29, 2007
    7
    Algunos aprecian el hehco de arriesgarse a hacer algo diferente de llo que se espera. Los Kings of Leon se arriesgaron y apenas salieron a flote. El disco es diferente, sonbre todo del anterior y muy básico Aha Shake... El disco funciona mejor entre más oidas se le dé y mi última opinión es que es bueno a secas.
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    If less accessible on first hearing than its predecessors, the result is an epic wide-screen movie of a CD and the band's best to date.
    Read full review
  2. Hartford Courant
    80
    Although it's stylistically diverse, the album feels coherent.
    Read full review
  3. NOW Magazine
    60
    Kings of Leon often seem torn between their stadium rawk impulses and their hip underground aspirations.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »