Album Review: Kings Of Leon - Mechanical Bull

Since achieving major commercial success with their fourth album, Only By The Night, in 2008, Kings Of Leon have become a band whose fans are divided between the diehards and their new, more mainstream followers. Their sixth studio album, Mechanical Bull, is a clear reflection of that.

Bright pop/rock numbers, like catchy first single, opener Supersoaker, will appeal to a wider audience, as will big stadium rock tracks like Rock City and Don't Matter, boasting big sounds and guitar solos that could easily be mistaken for Queens Of The Stone Age or even Bon Jovi in parts. Tracks like Temple play even more into commercial radio airplay territory, with its jangly guitar sounds and an intro that's undeniably similar to The Cure's Friday I'm In Love.

In contrast, the rest of the album seems to take its influence from the band's strong alternative indie roots with punchier, grittier songs like Coming Back Again and Tonight, whose driving guitar riffs, interesting melodies and powerful vocals definitely deserve a second listen. A handful of well-crafted ballads, like the moving Wait For Me and Beautiful War, are also true to form and really allow singer Caleb Followill's trademark gravelly vocals and heartfelt lyrics to shine through, acting as a reminder that this really is a Kings Of Leon album after all.

It's an album of two halves and one that is sure to divide their fans and critics.