Youth & Young Manhood - Kings of Leon
Metascore
79 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
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  1. Uncut
    100
    Makes you want to chain-smoke while swigging a quart of Jim by the neck and taking agreeable houswives to stud. [Aug 2003, p.110]
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  2. The Guardian
    100
    Using and abusing passionate gospel, country sweetness and filthy guitar licks, the Kings of Leon are the kind of authentic, hairy rebels the Rolling Stones longed to be.
  3. The A.V. Club
    90
    This remarkable debut captures the sound of growing up and busting out without sparing the rough edges.
  4. Village Voice
    90
    Youth & Young Manhood is 2003's finest rock debut.
  5. Austin Chronicle
    89
    If Alabama's Drive-by Truckers are the Second Coming of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tennessee's Kings of Leon are ZZ Top -- barons of boogie.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Their lyrics... roil with the randiness and violence of Delta classics. [22/29 Aug 2003, p.132]
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  7. Spin
    83
    The Kings are probably sick of the "redneck Stones" tag already, but the signs are all there. [Aug 2003, p.111]
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.9 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 55 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 32
  3. Negative: 1 out of 32
  1. j30
    8
    Youth & Young Manhood is a solid debut from the Southern Strokes, Kings of Leon. "California Waiting" is one my favorites off this record and any of their records.… Full Review »
  2. Ricko
    9
    Awesome debut album from KOL. Raw hillbillies left loose in a studio and the results are as you'd expect - wild, exciting rock and roll. You don't just get glimpses of potential here, you get pretty close to the finished article. They're missing the stadium rock anthems here no one is saying that's a bad thing. California Waiting and Molly's Chambers still rank up with their best work.… Full Review »
  3. TheDaveHimself
    7
    Back when I thought they could kick my ass. Zero sign of anything they've done on their past two/three albums ("Charmer" on Because of the Times was close). "Trani" is the best thing they've ever written and as Bob Dylan said, it's a hell of a song. "Spiral Staircase" is/was great live.… Full Review »
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