Liner notes: "Only By the Night," "Stay Golden, Smog"

Published 5:06 pm Friday, September 19, 2008

“Only By the Night” Kings of Leon

WHY CARE?: In England, this Nashville group has a No. 1 single, “Sex on Fire,” and plays arenas.

TRIVIA: The three Followill brothers, whose father was a traveling preacher, matched up with their cousin, and got into rock ‘n’ roll instead of religion. Seriously.

HIGH POINT: The ornately produced “Use Somebody” adds stadium-sized atmospherics to a simple plea for attention.

FANS ALSO LIKE: Fuzzed-out guitars, excessive rock

ANDY SAYS: Lots of critics love to hate this band, and, sure, it’s hard to get behind the single’s chorus, “This sex is on fire.” Yikes. However, that very same track showcases the group’s lustful union of guitar, bass, drums and vocals. The Kings might give a rough embrace, but the band is hardly worth giving a cold shoulder.

GRADE: B

“Stay Golden, Smog” Golden Smog

WHY CARE?: The album collects the high points from the alt-country supergroup’s first two albums, along with a few unreleased tracks.

TRIVIA: The group’s shifting lineup includes singer Jeff Tweedy (Wilco), bassist Marc Perlman (the Jayhawks), guitarists Gary Louris (the Jayhawks) and Dan Murphy (Soul Asylum), and drummer Jody Stephens (Big Star).

HIGH POINT: “To Call My Own” veers away from folk rock into power pop terrain.

FANS ALSO LIKE: A little guitar twang

ANDY SAYS: You know how second jobs are usually not a first passion? That seems to be the problem with this band. There’s plenty of talent in the room, but not much in the way of great music. The album opens with the line, “Sometimes you’re up, sometimes you’re down.” It’s a middling lyric that sums up the collection.

GRADE: C

Andy Rathbun, Herald Columnist, arathbun@heraldnet.com, 425-339-3455