Youth & Young Manhood
by Kings of Leon
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Aug 19, 2003
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. Dot Music
    80
    'Youth and Young Manhood' is nothing more than a great rock'n'roll album.
  2. Launch.com
    70
    There's absolutely nothing revolutionary about what these guys are pulling, but they synthesize a gritty staccato new wave attack with the arrogant, swaying machismo of old school boogie with an authority far beyond their few years.
  3. Junkmedia
    63
    The band shows an incredible level of bravado on their album of fun summer hymns, but has a hard time breaking through the barrier the lackluster vocals create.
  5. 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.
  6. Rolling Stone
    80
    They come on like old-school greasers who've been around long enough to know how to savor a moment.
  7. 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.
  8. The A.V. Club
    90
    This remarkable debut captures the sound of growing up and busting out without sparing the rough edges.
  9. Village Voice
    90
    Youth & Young Manhood is 2003's finest rock debut.
  10. Splendid
    70
    A safe, if frayed, rock album that bristles and pops with flashes of brilliance, yet never ignites into the full-blown firestorm they're quite obviously capable of creating.
  11. Filter
    80
    Despite their penchant for over-the-top tribute, Kings of Leon recycle classic rock 'n' roll with such earnestness and ebullience, that it's hard not to sing along. [#6, p.88]
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  12. 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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  13. Q Magazine
    80
    While rough and a little patchy, it's a cracking debut nonetheless. [Aug 2003, p.108]
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  14. Mojo
    70
    Faced with the Kings of Leon's musical savvy, however, it's easy to believe the hype. [Sep 2003, p.104]
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  15. Blender
    70
    Their debut throbs like the Strokes with cross-eyed parents, their songs gritty and economical, their drummer nasty in all the best places. [Aug 2003, p.126]
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  16. ShakingThrough.net
    70
    And not unlike the uncertain characters populating their songs, the band members have yet to stake out a distinctive musical identity, borrowing a little too liberally from their Southern Rock roots without adding anything original to the mythology.
  17. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Their lyrics... roil with the randiness and violence of Delta classics. [22/29 Aug 2003, p.132]
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  18. 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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  19. Magnet
    80
    The Kings of Leon sound like Molly Hatchet locking horns with the Gun Club. [#60, p.105]
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Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Most Discussed Album of 2003
37
#37 Most Shared Album of 2003

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 89 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 75 out of 89
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 89
  3. Negative: 6 out of 89
  1. Vampire25
    Dec 14, 2010
    8
    Kings Of Leon's debut is a little overrated. Their other work is a lot better than this album. But nevertheless, Youth And Young Manhood is aKings Of Leon's debut is a little overrated. Their other work is a lot better than this album. But nevertheless, Youth And Young Manhood is a good album with some great tracks. B… Full Review »
  2. sorenseidelin
    Aug 18, 2014
    10
    The Kings Of Leon's best album. So raw and beautiful at the same time. The hooks are great, and the songs fit perfectly together, and Caleb'sThe Kings Of Leon's best album. So raw and beautiful at the same time. The hooks are great, and the songs fit perfectly together, and Caleb's voice gives me goosebumps when he takes it to the edge.… Full Review »
  3. TheDaveHimself
    Aug 6, 2011
    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 theBack 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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