An acrimonious alcohol-fuelled hiatus had left observers wondering whether Kings of Leon might now be referred to in the past tense. Now though, the prolific Followill clan return with a sixth studio album notionally free from the burden of expectation which caused 2010's Come Around Sundown to underwhelm. Even for world-beating arena rockers, this Mechanical Bull has a lot riding on it. The hope is that having squandered the bulk of their cool points with the steady shift to arena-sized AOR histrionics, the title of this latest effort hasn't hit the nail on the head.
Between Caleb's gruff vocal and cousin Matthew's characteristic guitar, Mechanical Bull sounds as expected. KoL go for moments of nuance (listen for strings on 'Comeback Story', a pleasant slow number largely about pilfering footwear), but it's notable that the album's finest moment was recorded almost as an afterthought. 'Don't Matter', a relentless belter, sees the band get their Queens of the Stone Age on. Although they claim Mechanical Bull recalls 2004's high water mark Aha Shake Heartbreak, only glimpses of raw devil-may-care garage-rock endure. Rather than maintain the early pace, the group revert to the indulgences of U2's arena sound on the tender but cloying 'Beautiful War'. One is reluctant to trot out trite comparisons to Coldplay or the Irish behemoths, but Kings of Leon firmly remain their Tennessee counterparts (the epic 'Tonight' is exhibit B).
Otherwise, single 'Wait For Me' passes muster, but ticks the same boxes as inferior mawkish ballads also on offer ('Beautiful War'). For a group at their most interesting when a little offbeat, it's disappointing when they resort to dreary, turgid fare or the radio rock of 'Coming Back Again' and 'Rock City'. On the other hand, 'Family Tree' may be big and dumb, but exudes a cocky strut. Forthcoming single 'Temple', though anything but offbeat, is sufficiently rousing pop-rock destined to have live enthusiasts sing themselves hoarse.
Having sought a fresh start with superior material, this is a band in a holding pattern, conflicted between the mooted return to yesteryear's southern rock and their self-image as mainstream stadium superstars. Yes, Mechanical Bull is more natural than its predecessor and no, it's not an unduly taxing listen. One senses the Followills are not hugely concerned with successfully uniting all strands of their fanbase. Self-consciously distancing themselves from their youth and young manhood whilst ever so earnest about the new stuff, KoL are mainly keen to silence sour-faced sceptics who claim the band have lost touch with the primal energy that galvanised them a decade ago. Accordingly, there's no surprises. Pure and simple, Mechanical Bull is classic rock music from a pre-eminent rock band.
Review by Killian Barry
