Kings of Leon to Release Sophomore Album

Following recent releases by fellow Southern rock revivalists Drive-By Truckers, the vastly inferior Kings of Leon are getting set to issue a new disc of their own. The band, whose Allman/Skynyrd influence is perhaps as well documented as the Iggy/Velvets one frequently applied to The Strokes, will release A-Ha Shake Heartbreak in the U.S. on November 2nd. While unfortunately not a collection of A-Ha covers, the new Kings disc apparently leans away from some of the trademark Southern-fried chops found on last year's debut, Youth and Young Manhood. In what will come as little surprise to sophomore album connoisseurs everywhere, there have been reports of genuine "maturation" on the part of the brothers Followill on the upcoming set.

"On the last record there were no expectations, because we had no fans and we had never made music before," drummer Nathan Followill told Rolling Stone. "On this one we knew what we wanted, and we were very comfortable and confident. There are definitely songs on there that you hear and think, 'That's the Kings of Leon.' And then there are songs that take three or four listens to realize that it's us." Until, of course, you realize what disc you put in the stereo. Aiding the band with its slightly new sonic approach is Ethan Johns (Ryan Adams, Counting Crows) who produced the album's 12 original tunes this summer during a five week recording session in California. Tracklist:

01 Slow Nights, So Long
02 King Of The Rodeo
03 Taper Jean Girl
04 Pistol Of Fire
05 Milk
06 Bucket
07 Soft
08 Razz
09 Day Old Blues
10 4 Kicks
11 Velvet Snow
12 Re-memo

Additionally, according to a report on XFM, A-Ha Shake Heartbreak's first single, "Bucket", will hit UK singles bins on October 25th. Potential B-sides have yet to be announced, but even with the promise of a somewhat retooled sound, Daft Punk remixes don't seem likely. And finally, Kings of Leon are set to support the upcoming album with a mini U.S. tour. Currently only a handful of East Coast dates have been listed, but their British popularity (where their debut has sold a whopping 500,000 copies) makes the notion of a European tour seem likely. Pure speculation, but they don't call me Dr. Fucking M. Watson for nothing. Dates and places:

10-01 Washington, DC - Black Cat
10-02 Baltimore, MD - Fletcher's Bar & Grill
10-03 Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts
10-07 Boston, MA - Axis