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Youth & Young Manhood
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Youth & Young Manhood Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 89 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the debut full-length for the Nashville-based rock band consisting of three brothers (the sons of a preacher) and their cousin.

Top Track

California Waiting
Little Mona Lisa laying by my side "Crimson and Clover" pullin' overtime I feel too close to be losin' touch By givin' in, what am I givin' up? Am I... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  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. Village Voice
    90
    Youth & Young Manhood is 2003's finest rock debut.
  3. 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.
  4. 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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  5. 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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  6. 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.
  7. PopMatters
    30
    The songs are so generic that the only thing left at the record's conclusion is the feeling of how hollow and insubstantial the whole thing is.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 37
  3. Negative: 1 out of 37
  1. 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.… Expand
  2. karlh
    Dec 23, 2005
    10
    As many ''buzz bands'' do the kings of Leon create allot of love/hate divide
  4. frankd
    Dec 11, 2003
    10
    Killer.
  5. Zach
    Dec 21, 2008
    10
    I can never decide what i like more: Times or Youth. But then i hear "California Waiting" and music makes sense again. This is one of the top I can never decide what i like more: Times or Youth. But then i hear "California Waiting" and music makes sense again. This is one of the top 5 debuts of the 2000s, no doubt about it.… Expand
  6. RabR
    Apr 1, 2004
    9
    Rock N Roll at its finest. What a debut, roll on the second album.
  7. Ricko
    Oct 10, 2017
    9
    Awesome debut album from KOL. It sounds exactly like what it is, raw country folk left loose in a studio. The results are as you'd expect -Awesome debut album from KOL. It sounds exactly like what it is, raw country folk left loose in a studio. 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 that came later in their career but that certainly is not a bad thing. It's a fun record but it maintains an element of danger throughout. It's like when your in a bar, everyones having fun but theres a table where you just know it could all kick off at some point. Full of high points but "California Waiting" and "Molly's Chambers" still rank up with their best work.… Expand
  8. SamW
    Jul 2, 2005
    0
    This is worst music I have heard. Vocals and instrument work show lack of talent and practice. Vocal pitch is poor, Reminds me of punk rocku This is worst music I have heard. Vocals and instrument work show lack of talent and practice. Vocal pitch is poor, Reminds me of punk rocku froim years back, can't believe RCA is backing these guys, they muyst have really done a major sell job or snow job shall I say. Anyone who likes this doesn't know what good music really is, what a shame.… Expand

See all 37 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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

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