Coachella 2011: The passions and problems of the Kings of Leon

Deep into the Kings of Leon's headline set on Friday, frontman Caleb Followill remembered a Coachella of yore -- and tapped into an insecurity.

"Last time we played, I didn't wear a shirt. I apologize," he said sheepishly. "I've gained a few pounds since then so I'm keeping the shirt on." A girl next to me empathized, saying "aw" and burying her face in her boyfriend's arm.

Photos: Faces of Coachella 2011

Feeling self-conscious about one's physique is an old tradition at Coachella, as reliable as the presence of crushed water bottles on the polo field. Even fancy rock stars aren't immune to it.

But Followill's admission was interesting for another reason: It happened to neatly encapsulate the problems and passions of a band that keeps climbing for superstardom. On one hand, it's a pleasure to see an act go for broke, metaphorically rip off its shirt onstage. But what's even better than the Kings of Leon playing shirtless, figuratively or literally, is when they exercise restraint and corral their Southern rocker lust for good. In other words, keep the chambray on, Mr. Followill.

Images from the 2011 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival

If you were ever in a knife fight with a band like, say, Thin Lizzy, the Kings of Leon are the kind of country brawlers you'd want on your side. The scruffy family band from Tennesse, sons of a preacher man, comes off as more comfortable with testosterone than many others on the Coachella bill, unafraid to flash muscle in their music. They are the only band one can imagine driving up to Indio rocking out to Lynyrd Skynyrd without a trace of irony. I bet they're watching a stoic western right now back at their hotel room.

The Good: In the middle of their set, the Kings delivered a one-two punch of what they do best: touching down into something wistful and real, as nostalgic as rock 'n' roll itself. First, they played "Back Down South," one of the most big-hearted songs on the band's latest, "Come Around Sundown." Next up: "Fans" from their breakthrough "Because of the Times," which rides on the braided beats of the bass and drums, working in near-nuclear fusion. Both songs show off the band's potential for crafting hits with subtle but unforgettable hooks.

The Bad: It's a strange thing when a group's most popular songs now sound like experiments they've outgrown. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I swear I saw resignation on Followill's face when kicking off "Sex on Fire," which might be the worst titular attempt to sum up the throes of passion since Color Me Badd's "I Want To Sex You Up." Sex doesn't have to be on fire or up, OK?

The Ugly: Followill's voice is far from ugly,  but when he lapses into his tomcat caterwauling or his strangely lascivious frog croak, it's a misuse of a fine instrument. As the band advances, it'd be great to see him rely more on the refined elements of his voice, instead of the ham-handed hallmarks of rock singing that feel like vocal costumery more than the genuine article. It's like he's still living by the "fake it till you make it" credo. Newsflash to Kings of Leon: You've made it. You're right where you want to be.

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-- Margaret Wappler 

Photo: The Kings of Leon onstage Friday. Credit: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Time

 

 

Comments

[Hey Zeus]

Let's be honest - first three KOL records - absolutely brilliant - a southern-rocking band that knew how to incorporate hooks and raw melody. I was a massive fan that flew cross-country to distant venues to see them. That last two records? Unlistenable. They've jumped the shark. Here's hoping they have more good records in their future or else they're victims left in the wake of ego and fame.

[heidi]

You guys should hire me to write reviews next year. Seriously.

[Jailbreaker]

Thin Lizzy would DESTROY a band like Kings o' Leon

[Fan01]

Heard that Kings of Leon had a tribute to a friend that died? Any info on that and who it was?

[J.P.]

kings of leon RULES

[jenn]

i thought the performance was incredible. am so over hearing sex on fire so i can understand how easy it is for them to be tired of playing it, especially when all of their songs are so much better. hearing the crowd cheer for it over others was nauseating. love that they're still playing older songs and black thumbnail was such a great closer. missed hearing revelry, knocked up, cold desert live.

[Suezdawter]

Kings of Leon was recently ask the question concerning "Glee". The question was inappropriate and the comment given was of a personal nature. You can't compare genres. Each has it's given right in music. Children listen to different forms of music as compared to adults. Which is the way it should be. Artistic ratings should not be based on whether or not someone "likes" the music, but on the genre of the music. KOL, the children had ears to hear!

[Gary]

You rip apart the credibility of 'Sex On Fire' as a passion song, but Caleb has been quoted saying the song isn't serious, which is why it was originally not going to make the record. It would be foolish of anyone to say that the song is passionate, but Caleb definitely does not mean it to be like that by any means.

[baxter]

Who the hell is Thin Lizzie..lol... as if!! Kings of Leon ..best band in the world.. period

[ccc]

KoL is "the best band in the world, period"? gong... next contestant.

[kayleen]

I guess bands aren't supposed to evolve and change their sound? I get so irritated when people say they have sold out or "jumped the shark". I have and love every single album, and for different reason's. If "Sex on Fire" and "Use Somebody" didn't blow up and get over played on every mainstream station in the country, would they still be called sellouts? Probably not. I've had the privilege of seeing them live twice, and both times they put on a great show. Just because mainstream now loves them too, all the long time fans are bailing on them and calling them sellouts. Lame.