Kings of Leon Youth & Young Manhood (RCA/BMG) Rating: N Rating: N
Appropriately stuck with the dubious “Southern Strokes” handle by some smartass, the Tennessee hair farmers in Kings of Leon are proof that fancy coifs and connected management are enough to get you out of redneck country. Their music couldn’t have had anything to do with it. The unbearably dull and twee-sounding Youth & Young Manhood album – produced by twang fixer Ethan Johns (Tift Merritt, Ryan Adams) for play on rock-free radio – sounds like the bouncy little ditties were performed by chimps in tutus.
Kings of Leon try their best to rock out at Lee’s Palace Monday (September 8).
