Nashville swamp-rockers (and band of brothers) Kings of Leon have released a video for "Notion," their latest single off 2008's divisive Only By the Night. The video is typical Kings — a performance video in a dark, grungy alleyway with extreme close-ups of weary-voiced lead singer Caleb Followill. Toward the end the building explodes, pretty much confirming this is the video that should have accompanied "Sex on Fire" instead of all that exorcism nonsense they ended up using. As singles go, the low-key "Notion" isn't bad, but it's not quite on par with the stunner "Use Somebody." Though given the band's uber-popularity (18 million YouTube views for "Sex on Fire" = wow), it won't matter much to fans.
Time to settle something, Music Mixers: Do you love or really, really hate Kings of Leon? (There seems to be no middle ground.) What do you think about their single/video? And did they indeed sell-out by chopping off their classic rock-inspired locks? Discuss!
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Jeremy, what do you mean divisive? and sell out? KOL have stayed true to themselves all these years.
I’ve been a Followill follower since day one and though I understand that they have moved a bit away from their more country-fried-southern-rock-licks, you can still hear that sound on ONLY BY THE NIGHT, if you actually listen to the record. Only bandwagon jumpers that claim to be fans because of SEX ON FIRE have issues with their previous efforts, but the Kings know who their real fans are.
The new video is classic KOL and the SEX ON FIRE video was perfect for that song. NOTION is perfect summer fare.
Jeremy, what do you mean divisive? and sell out? KOL have stayed true to themselves all these years.
I’ve been a Followill follower since day one and though I understand that they have moved a bit away from their more country-fried-southern-rock-licks, you can still hear that sound on ONLY BY THE NIGHT, if you actually listen to the record. Only bandwagon jumpers that claim to be fans because of SEX ON FIRE have issues with their previous efforts, but the Kings know who their real fans are.
The new video is classic KOL and the SEX ON FIRE video was perfect for that song. NOTION is perfect summer fare.
KINGS OF LEON ROCK! I am so happy that the US of A is finally realizing what a genius rock band they are! True, they have moved away from the bar-brawl Southern sound; in its place, we have an album of amazing, memorable tunes with solid contemporary production. I love their last 3 albums, but their new one is GREAT!
Really love KOL. I cannot wait to see them at the ACL Fest in Oct. Notion is one of my favorites from the album. Fingers crossed Revelry is next.
Really love KOL. I cannot wait to see them at the ACL Fest in Oct. Notion is one of my favorites from the album. Fingers crossed Revelry is next.
LOVE. Best band of the 00′s. Taking rock music to a new level. Clever, naughty, dark, throbbing… and thank Frog NOT WHINY!
I love the guy’s voice. Love the album. It’s the surprise of the year for me.
I love the guy’s voice. Love the album. It’s the surprise of the year for me.
Why is there no ‘really really really love’ option; that’d be my choice. This band is the best of the decade and they’ve been the best ever since inception. They’re constantly pushing themselves musically, and who the hell cares if they get a haircut? Which, by the way, is a pretty normal thing to do.
They are the most humble and down to earth group of guys making music out there. They are the best band to see live because they actually have talent. I saw them in 2005 and then last month and even though their hair was shorter and the venue was larger, they were still the same kickass rock band. Oh yeah, and the video is great.
Why is there no ‘really really really love’ option; that’d be my choice. This band is the best of the decade and they’ve been the best ever since inception. They’re constantly pushing themselves musically, and who the hell cares if they get a haircut? Which, by the way, is a pretty normal thing to do.
They are the most humble and down to earth group of guys making music out there. They are the best band to see live because they actually have talent. I saw them in 2005 and then last month and even though their hair was shorter and the venue was larger, they were still the same kickass rock band. Oh yeah, and the video is great.
LOVE! I saw them live last month and it was one of the best shows ever!They are so much better than other current “rock” bands. And really like the new video.
I like KOL a lot and have for a few years now, but I’m a bit saddened that the standard for music videos hasn’t changed in the last 20 years. This is pretty much the video for Soundgarden’s Blow Up The Outside World, isn’t it? I’d like to see more visual artists take an interest in music videos again. Great bands like KOL need to take up that cause.
caleb is so mint wow cnt w8 2c them in june i think this is a tune but reckon they should ov brought ‘be somebody’ out as their nxt song
caleb is so mint wow cnt w8 2c them in june i think this is a tune but reckon they should ov brought ‘be somebody’ out as their nxt song
Love. I think KOL have been steadily progressing since Youth & Young Manhood musically and that is no small feat (especially with the manufactured music we hear on the radio nowadays). I don’t think a haircut is any indication of being a sell-out band, and – in mind of actual sell-out bands these days – nor do I think the image of men or women or kids in rock attire with guitars slung around their necks make a rock band any less of a boy band. Only By The Night is honestly, my least favorite album of KOL, but it’s still my favorite album of 2008. Notion is a solid track, and the video a good enough representation of that track.
And if they get popular, and a whole bunch of teens get on the KOL bandwagon because lo and behold, there are good-looking faces behind all that hair, then so what? They might have achieved recognition the wrong way, but at least they achieved it. New or old KOL fans, so long as they continue making good music, that should be good enough for anyone.