Kings Of Leon: 'Charmer'

This reviewer has to own up and confess that when he first heard a Kings Of Leon record he wasn't really digging it. The whole Deep South backstory, with religious mumbo-jumbo Bible-bashing parents and lewd tales of debauchery - it just didn't wash. And the beards...well the less said about the beards the better. But when they returned with their second album, a couple of the beards had been released into dodgy facial hair heaven and there was something a whole lot more interesting about the band than a load of dire rawk cliches - their tunes.

Their latest album Because Of The Times moved one step further, eradicating completely the country fuzz boogie of the debut, which had made them sound like a drunk Lyrnyrd Skynyrd tribute band. While the lyrics about 'naughty women' leading them astray still remain, musically they are making some of the brassiest and boldest stuff you'll hear from a gang of lads with just a set of guitars and drums to muck around with. 'Charmer', the latest single from the LP, is an odd choice, with its screeching vocals and kick-in-the-nuts key changes not the usual staples of Radio 1 playlists. However, for those who like their tunes with a bit of muck around the edges and a teethy snarl, then do the right thing and get this booming out of your speakers.