#tbh to me they were closer to the vibe of Mumford and Sons than The Strokes yet they are classed into that group of bands instead

[aeolianblues]

Kings of Leon: 2003 and 2008

Here are some of the Kings of Leon albums we were sent promotionally at my campus radio station.

July 2003, a promotional CD of Youth And Young Manhood, with the band's silhouette in a shiny embossing, which on digital versions is just replaced with a grey negative space.

In October 2008, we were sent Only By The Night, the album that truly broke Kings of Leon out of the realm of campus, indie and underground radio, and put the band on the commercial and national airwaves.

Up until this album, the band had been the dark horses of the indie scene: too alternative for commercial and rock radio, but too uncool for an indie scene synonymous with NYC nightclubs, haircuts on the front page of the NME and alternative city boy fashion. In a world of Karen O's style, Julian Casablancas' melancholy, Alex Kapranos' sharp dressing sense, Russell Lissak's hair and Pete Doherty's volatility, the Nashville band seemed a little out of place.

Then came the singles, Sex On Fire and Use Somebody, and suddenly the brothers (and friend) were in heavy rotation on commercial indie radio. Or so I'm told by my cohost, who has been a radio DJ through all those crucial early Kings of Leon years. Me, I was in primary school and didn't care for indie music, that's why I'm on campus radio right now.

Anyway, figured I'd post these since Can We Please Have Fun just came out. This one's for the Kings of Leon fans!