This is one of the albums I own that I purchased as soon as it came out. Something that can probably only be said of about 10% of my collection.
Mr K had introduced me to the KoL with Aha Shake Heartbreak (which I'll talk about on another day), On Call had been getting some airplay and I'd heard it a few times - I was cautiously waiting for the album so avoided listening to it as much as I could.
Because of the Times isn't Aha Shake Heartbreak, it's not even similar - really. There's still plenty to like about it. KoL seem to stagger around and bump into music that sounds like other artists, and that keeps me interested. I read a lot of negative press after the album came out saying Because of the Times was just KoL running out of imagination, running out of energy, or just stroking their own egos - I disagree with any such assumption, Because of the Times sounds like a band who are developing together.
KoL also had a big reputation for drug/alcohol abuse - so maybe this is just what they're like sober. Either way, I like it. It's not like Youth and Young Manhood and Aha Shake Heartbreak were without any hint of derivation, completely original or devoid of obvious inspiration.
Highlights for me would be McFearless, Black Thumbnail and Arizona. The last track in particular, because regardless of how basic it's composition is - I think it's auditory bliss.
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