• Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Apr 3, 2007
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 184 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. 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
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. TP
    Mar 29, 2007
    10
    Absolutely nothing to be disappointed about here. A Classic.
  4. jakeg
    Mar 29, 2007
    10
    This bands sound is unique, catchy and it is great
  5. 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.
  6. AndrewB
    Apr 4, 2007
    10
    this album was so good it beats ford rovers!
  7. beckysfd
    Apr 7, 2007
    10
    great work, boys
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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!
  14. 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
  15. winstong
    Mar 5, 2007
    10
    Breath of fresh air,they needed to oull off a good album and theyve done it in style!!
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. RubS
    Apr 1, 2007
    9
    It's awesome - don't like a few moments on the songs, but it is still pretty cool!
  20. 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
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. tony
    Apr 30, 2007
    9
    The last album was great. I didn't expect this one to be as good. But i hate it when people expect every album from every band to be the same thing over and over. Its different but its just as good in its own way. It starts out with a great unexpected 7 minute song ... i dont think the last album was even 7 minutes long. That was the Kings of Leon telling you that they are older this The last album was great. I didn't expect this one to be as good. But i hate it when people expect every album from every band to be the same thing over and over. Its different but its just as good in its own way. It starts out with a great unexpected 7 minute song ... i dont think the last album was even 7 minutes long. That was the Kings of Leon telling you that they are older this album is different but you are going to like it. Buy it listen to it more than once and put it your regular collection. Expand
  24. BrentonL
    Apr 4, 2007
    7
    I've been a huge Kings of Leon fan every since their first album was released, and Because of the Times just doesn't measure up to the previous two LPs. The music doesn't strike you like their former songs do. The lyrics are lame for the most part and a lot of the music sounds like it was thrown together in a couple takes in the studio. The only reason I give it a 7 is I've been a huge Kings of Leon fan every since their first album was released, and Because of the Times just doesn't measure up to the previous two LPs. The music doesn't strike you like their former songs do. The lyrics are lame for the most part and a lot of the music sounds like it was thrown together in a couple takes in the studio. The only reason I give it a 7 is because I'm a fan of the band and Knocked Up is great song, maybe there best to date. Overall, however, the album is very disappointing. Expand
  25. salmanh
    Apr 8, 2007
    10
    Iconic Album .. amazing
  26. MarkG
    Apr 9, 2007
    10
    Definitely a 10.Having read some reviews it seems to me critics miss the point about records,if they sound good they are good and this one sounds great.It's also a grower.I've now listened to the full album over a dozen times & it keeps getting better.It doesn't matter if they sound a bit like this band or that band only that they make good songs doing it and these boys are Definitely a 10.Having read some reviews it seems to me critics miss the point about records,if they sound good they are good and this one sounds great.It's also a grower.I've now listened to the full album over a dozen times & it keeps getting better.It doesn't matter if they sound a bit like this band or that band only that they make good songs doing it and these boys are talented enough to carry it off.Can't wait for their next offering.Meanwhile i'll just play this album 'til my ears bleed.Keep up the good work boys,Scotland loves you. Expand
  27. WillL.
    Jun 5, 2007
    10
    Exceeds the promise shown on their first two albums, this is flawless. The band still have raw energy, but now play with atmosphere, acoustics and benefit from improved (Springsteen-esque) lyrics, previously their achilles heel.
  28. ZachP
    Dec 21, 2008
    9
    Flawed, spectacular and sprawling, Because of the Times is the Kings best album yet. it's contagious and insane and "On Call' is by far their best song since "California Waiting." If the bittersweet melody of that song and "Arizona" doesn't touch you in some way, you have no soul.
  29. SteveH
    Mar 11, 2007
    10
    A work of genius that builds on the first two albums and gets so far into your head you can't get it out. Ragoo and Fans particular favourites and as good as anything they've done so far. The band extend their playing to the next level and Caleb has to be the best singer in rock.
  30. KyleN
    Mar 14, 2007
    9
    Listening to this album makes me feel like a badass
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 31
  2. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. 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.
  2. Although it's stylistically diverse, the album feels coherent.
  3. Kings of Leon often seem torn between their stadium rawk impulses and their hip underground aspirations.