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Because Of The Times
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Because Of The Times Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 184 Ratings

  • Summary: The Brothers Followill reunite with producers Ethan Johns and Angelo Petraglia for their first album in over two years.

Top Track

Knocked Up
I don't care what nobody says, we're gonna have a baby Taking off in a Coupe de Ville, she's buckled up on navy She don't care what her momma says,... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Observer Music Monthly
    100
    Kings of Leon have spent much of the past couple of years in potentially soul-sapping support slots on extended US stadium tours by the likes of Bob Dylan, Pearl Jam and, most significantly, U2. But rather than be ground down by that experience, they've used it as the jumping-off point for a bold expansion of their own parameters.
  2. Alternative Press
    90
    They've honed their sound perfectly, hitting every mark they set and making Because Of The Times kick so much ass that it demands you respect them as new rock royalty. [May 2007, p.152]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Prefix Magazine
    80
    Because of the Times is Kings of Leon's turn at maturity, without any of the pretentiousness that customarily surrounds that label.
  4. Hartford Courant
    80
    Although it's stylistically diverse, the album feels coherent.
  5. Hot Press
    75
    The group have kept their sound surprisingly fresh incorporating some welcome sonic refinements, without making any great creative leap or departure.
  6. Slant Magazine
    70
    However admirable and surprising the band's ambition throughout Because Of The Times may be, not every experiment works so well.
  7. 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.

See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 71 out of 83
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 83
  3. Negative: 6 out of 83
  1. 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.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.… Expand
  2. MattG
    Apr 6, 2007
    10
    They just keep making original music without going overboard. I didn't think they would be able to beat the first two albums, but they They just keep making original music without going overboard. I didn't think they would be able to beat the first two albums, but they did. Their best effort to date and if you've heard their first two, then that is a gigantic complement.… Expand
  4. dana
    May 17, 2007
    10
    loved the first two albums but kol get better with each album. this is definatly the album of the year for me. so many good tracks, camero, loved the first two albums but kol get better with each album. this is definatly the album of the year for me. so many good tracks, camero, black thumbnail, my party, mcfearless… Expand
  5. matthewb
    Apr 3, 2007
    9
    Classic
  6. TBone
    Jul 16, 2007
    9
    If you listen to Knocked Up, Charmer (Get past the yelp), On Call, True Love Way, Ragoo, Fans, McFearless, Black Thumbnail. I don't see If you listen to Knocked Up, Charmer (Get past the yelp), On Call, True Love Way, Ragoo, Fans, McFearless, Black Thumbnail. I don't see how this scores less than a 7. It's good. Great for drinking whiskey in the dark or driving in the dark.… Expand
  7. 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.… Expand
  8. mikeyf
    Apr 4, 2007
    0
    seen the band 1/2 dozen times. so have wife & kids. just heard - bott - new album on spinner.com (aolmusic). what happened? you guys rocked & seen the band 1/2 dozen times. so have wife & kids. just heard - bott - new album on spinner.com (aolmusic). what happened? you guys rocked & now you smells like ass. shame on followills. like a musical fug u at they fans. save your cash.… Collapse

See all 83 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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

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