But even without such framework conditions is "only by the night" at first a treat: Already the opener unfolded a rarely experienced hypnotic effect that further increases after repeated listening. Kings of Leon have to rely on cheap rarely catchy choruses, because even the basic melody and incomparably expressive singing ensure that a piece like "Sex on Fire" not go out of my head. Another highlight of the longplayer is "Use Somebody", only danger lies in possible wear and tear of the song by its omnipresence in Radio and TV. But otherwise transported this song the incredibly intense atmosphere, which without being monotonous, runs through the entire album. "Use Somebody" is indeed suitable for mass production, but never feels as designed on the drawing board.
However, the following songs can not keep up with the first titles of "Only By the Night" in spite of the aforementioned dense mood. The melodies are catchy and much less prominent than about the track "Closer". After critical examination, one has so unfortunately mostly do it on the second album half with gap fillers, which are still as background music, but in themselves have a lot to blurred profile to work alone. In "Use Somebody" or "Closer" you realize how conscious emotionality from the rough, distinctive and flexible voice Caleb Followills acts drawn without the intensity would turn into too thickly applied pathos.
However, precisely these artifices missing on rather uninspired sounding titles like "I Want You" or "17". And then? Then only 11 titles full plate is already too late. Or should we say: Fortunately? For the second half of "Only By The Night" does not contain what the first promises. There remain two or three over-songs that still can bring goose bumps even after the twentieth listening - these pieces could however also download individually. Too bad that the indicated potential is nowhere near exhausted in many tracks.
