Kings of Leon

Kings of Leon’s first two discs blazed with such a fresh, unique brand of glammed-out Southern rock that what had inspired it didn’t much matter. It was new, it was real and it got better with repeated listenings. Now, as the band experiments more with its sound, some new influences are so pronounced it’s actually surprising. Most obvious, from the very first piercing, ambient guitar notes, is U2. Clearly the Nashville foursome was affected by months of touring with the Irish legends last year. It’s not just in the guitar work on “Knocked Up” and “McFearless,” but in the song structure and vocal harmonies of “On Call” and “Trunk.” The key to giving props where they’re due is not becoming beholden. Happily, it’s still KOL’s dark stories and aching, snarled deliveries that carry this album.