The Kings of Leon have the kind of background a publicist would kill for. These three extremely hairy brothers (their cousin plays guitar) grew up as the sons of a Tennessee preacher man, but have rejected their fire and brimstone religious roots in favour of the devil's music - i.e. rock'n'roll. On the evidence of their cracking debut album, they made the right choice. Youth and Young Manhood is an invigorating blast of youthful rebellion, taking in everything from roughed-up gospel singalongs to lustful hillbilly laments. Most impressive of all, however, is Caleb Followill's stunning voice - a hoarse, guttural, gloriously whiskey-sodden instrument that contains arrogance and vulnerability in equal measure. They've been described as the Southern Strokes, but by the end of this album the Kings of Leon sound more like the Bible Belt's answer to the Rolling Stones. Yes, they really are that good.
