Kings of Leon Make Playing The Waiting Game Worth Every Second

Kings of Leon are in such a tight groove right now envy is the only appropriate response. "Wait For Me", the latest brilliant burst from "Mechanical Bull" is gift wrapped in guitars of all persuasions and each one makes you want to chase after the song's unrelenting crispness of textures. Matthew Followil starts the show with his riff virtuosity. Baked in the countrified sass that Nashville natives surely take for granted on occasion. Lead vocalist and cousin Caleb isn't far behind poking through the chunky chord dynamics with a jabbing rhythm guitar. Like a seasoned boxer his jabs hit the right spot, get in, then get out. Rather than stage a brotherly feud their frets complement each other. They're raising their game as the harmonies wend their way along. Caleb likes it raw. Vocally he aches in places where an antiseptic won't reach. That's certainly to his credit. Often a band leaning so heavily on deep fried guitar like Kings of Leon does resorts to that logic defying guitar solo at the bridge to seal the deal. In "Wait For Me", the dueling guitar run-up is the main course, the bridge based guitar reduced to a smartly illustrated afterthought but an afterthought it does remain. You may have heard good things come in small packages at some time during your Earthly travels. "Wait For Me" doesn't overindulge itself where scenery-chewing pathos is concerned. Again...jab, get in get out. Caleb bears the scars enough to prompt the inquiry bombardment that's sure to follow. Like an obedient soldier he's going to do as he's told, eat the pain, and get on with it. Michael Jared Followil, yet another sibling, is the bass bountiful glue holding Caleb's wounded heart and thus, the track as a completed work together. Ivan Nathan Followil hammers away sparingly but when he does he maximizes his studio stretch. Rock radio and Luby's have something tangible in common. Both under the best of circumstances can treat listeners to a mouth watering buffet experience. "Wait For Me" gives you meat and potatoes. No fancy dressings, no amuse bouche, no highbrow pretentiousness. Stick to your ribs feedbag contentedness is bound to ensue. You're happy for Caleb's insistence "It's all better now". His step springs rather than drags along with his tail behind him. The future again tingles with too many possibilities for a single night to make good on. "Wait For Me" shows why Kings of Leon has rightfully garnered a reputation as appointment listening. Vital rock should never be kept waiting for too long.