Kings of Leon "Because of the Times” (RCA)

Kings of Leon "Because of the Times” (RCA)

Rock

Kings of Leon "Because of the Times” (RCA)

The three sons and nephew of a defrocked Dixie preacher who call themselves Kings of Leon step outside the confines of their Southern-smoked garage shtick to explore broader musical horizons on "Because of the Times,” the Tennessee-based band's coming of age as a major creative force.

Sharp, flat, carport-like acoustics still enhance the angular double-sting of Caleb and cousin Matthew Followill's guitars, and Caleb's scaldingly expressive howl still recalls the drawl of an Allman or Van Zant. But tunes such as the Springsteen-like "Knocked Up” — a pulsing drama of rebellious young lovers running away in a Coupe deVille — and the urgent twang and percussive snap of the mid-tempo lover's pledge, "On Call,” carry their lo-fi y'all-rock to a new level of cinematic spaciousness via astral guitar and altered vocal effects. At the same time, the Followills eschew standard catchy-chorus song structure in favor of relentless, reverb-drenched drive on songs such as the bruisingly emotional "Black Thumbnail,” and the more playful "My Party,” with its dueling guitar barbs and galloping drums.

Throw in the warm fuzztones of the lullaby-like "The Runner” and the synth-sheened movie-theme beauty of "Arizona,” and it's apparent that these four Kings (two of whom are Oklahoma City-born) are upping their own ante — and winning.

— Gene Triplett