The first track, "The End", is an atmospheric start for the album. Caleb Followills voice here is not very rough, but it sounds honest and rousing. Matthews guitar sounds, especially towards the end, really strong! (4/5)
It continues with the single "Radioactive". Fortunately one has saved on the disk the choir can be heard on the single version. While I think the idea is not bad, but Caleb's voice is when it is a lot stronger on their own. The chorus in Radioactive is full of energy and played live more safely rousing. However, the high backing vocals bother me a bit. (3.5 / 5)
The third track is fairly quiet. "Pyro" convinces with beautifully sung verses and the chorus ("I wonŽt ever be your coner stone") impresses itself the listener relatively quickly. The guitar in the song is skillfully used and treated a in a pensive mood. (4.5 / 5)
It follows "Mary", a pretty rocking song that recalls the sound of her good old times (50s / 60s). The chorus is incredibly strong and weakens sung at any point. In the middle of the song there is a great guitar solo. What bothers me here again a little of background vocals and Caleb's voice is at the very end of the song. Nevertheless, the song convinced. (4/5)
"The Face" starts quietly, but with the listener and is whirled by the very raspy voice Caleb that comes to bear especially in the chorus ("Ride out the wave"). In the song there is a great instrumental interlude, in which Nathan excels on drums. The guitar is tuned precisely to the drums and there is a small "explosion", after which the chorus follows. Stark! (4.5 / 5)
"The Immortals" is for me the highlight of the album. It is an overwhelming stadium rock, which is offered to us here again! The exploitation at the beginning of the song is still playful, but soon developed a sense of enormous seriousness. The song has a very beautiful text, both in the verses and the chorus. The verses are sung so skillfully, the better it gets. The chorus ("Spill on the streets of Stars, Ride Away - find out what you are, face to face-once youŽve hade enough, carry on - donŽt forget to love before youŽre gone") can be truly described as Monster Chorus - terrific! In this song, Jared also bass is really great! (5/5)
With "Back Down South" referring to obviously also on the album cover. The song sings about the return to the south and obviously had the guys at this piece of country rock neat fun (to the end of the song to listen to ..). It is a straightforward song, but with a nicely rehearsed Fidel much vitality raises.
(4.5 / 5)
"Beachside" is indeed beachy (which relates to the instrumentalization). Singing is in my opinion a blatant, but quite compatible counterpart of the instruments. He sounds pretty painful and at the same time beautiful. The beautiful instrumentalization this raises through from feelings that are reminiscent of a sunset on the beach. The song is one of my favorites! (5/5)
It continues with "No Money", which rocking out neatly. Sung Super, super Backgroundgesan - and an engaging, albeit simple guitar solo. The text in the verses is pretty good! Admittedly, the small chorus is ("I got no money, but I want you so") no lyrical masterpiece, but as it is said here, it fits into the song like chalk and cheese. The whole structure of the song is also unusual and interesting. What more do you want? (5/5).
With "Pony Up" can convince me only conditionally the Kings. Although the guitar is really cool and the bass has what it takes, but somehow wants the song with me not really ignite. But what I like is the really groovy song at the end, hence (3.5 / 5)
"Birthday" has a well-sung chorus, the instrumentalization like it better in the second half ...
(3.5 / 5)
With "Mi Amigo" a nice to listening song is created, which is not particularly spectacular, however. I like the use of wind instruments in the song. In addition, the lyrics are very funny. (3.5 / 5)
Once again includes mostly quiet song a plate of Kings Of Leon from "Pickup Truck". The mood in the song I think for me personally something inaccessible, yet convinced me here Caleb's voice, whose roughness he presents here ungeschont, because the vocals are still very edgy ... (4/5)
Overall, I forgive 4 of 5 points. It is worthwhile to purchase this disc. However, one should not give its judgment after the first listening test. I have now heard the album about ten times and can say that some songs have belonged to poor or quite irrelevant to me at the beginning, but this has changed rapidly with every additional hearing process.