Kings of Leon @ Orpheum Theatre

September 29th, 2007 - by Eddie

Boston, Reviews, Rock, Shows, Video

I believe in rock and roll again.

For a long time, I assumed it was dead, that the music industry had finally choked it to death, leaving only bands like Nickeback and Hinder as a cruel form of punishment like an obese stripper who has convinced you to pay for a lap dance.

Minutes before the Kings of Leon took the stage, the smell of cannabis floated through the air, as if it were introducing and welcoming the band at the same time.

But the buzz from the cannabis and $9 Harpoons (seriously, $9? WTF??) was soon replaced by the Kings’ brand of seductive and penetrating rock that inspires women to lose their morals, convinces men to buy $40 t-shirts, and incites random violence in Bank of America ATM vestibules after the show.

If your surprised to hear this much praise, it probably means you haven’t heard the Kings latest album “Because of the Times,” a stark departure from their other work. How do I know? Because I was once like you, passing on the Kings, thinking they weren’t anything special. Now I know better.

What other band can write a song about seeing a girl in a Camero and eye-fucking her at the intersection as you rev up your bike? (”Camero”) Or a song about waking up on the ground with your faced busted in, seeing a girl glance at you and be convinced that, from that small interaction, that she suddenly wants you? (”Arizona”)

Yes, they sound like silly premises for songs, but when played with the right combination of guitars, bass, drums and deliberate bravado, you have a dangerous mixture of awesomeness that can’t be contained, controlled or properly described.

In an effort to dispense with the inane babble, I’ve incorporated videos from the concert so you’ll somewhat understand what I’m talking about. Watch them and just pretend that there’s skinny, stripper-esque women around you dancing to get the full effect. Also, check out out Flickr photo group where I posted pics from the show.

Kings of Leon “Fans”

Kings of Leon “On Call”

Kings of Leon “Knocked Up”