New Ethos has made it our mission to showcase artists whose work embodies an overarching spirit of truth, beauty, and goodness. One hot band that has caught the world's attention for their mysterious and not so straight forward lyrics are Kings of Leon, a rock band from Tennessee. KOL consists of three sons of pentecostal preacher --- Caleb (lead singer, rythm guitar), Nathan (drums), and Jared (bass) Followill --plus first cousin, Matthew Followill (lead guitar). KOL, who recently released the hit song, "Sex on Fire", are becoming quite an intriguing story.Many of the "bluenoses" out there might be fanning themselves in disgust (or maybe guilty pleasure) over the fact that a faith based organization like New Ethos would even consider a story on a band like Kings of Leon - unless, of course, we are to scold and boycott such a band that seeks to stir human concupiscence. Surely they must be the Price of Darkness, right? Ok, so maybe "Sex on Fire" is not a song I would play at a Catholic youth prayer service. But there is something much deeper to reflect upon when considering ones evaluation of this undeniable cultural phenomenon in the music world called the The Kings of Leon - namely, what (or who) is behind their music?
When I first heard "Sex on Fire", I was quick to dismiss KOL as some out of control sex
abberant punks. But later I stubbled on a few more of their songs ("Closer", "Use Somebody", "Crawl"), read some of their interviews, and realized this band could not be reduced to a KC and The Sunshine Band trying to evoke hormonal fever. There was something else going with these sons of a preacher man (Leon). Their music is quite good and unique and their lyrics do invoke some reflection. In "Crawl" - "As the rat, and the fly - They're searching for an alibi - As we await the wrath - They never went to Sunday Mass." [A political overture on America]. Or, in "Closer" - "She took my heart - Think she took my soul... Two thousand years of chasing, taking its toll." [Presumably written by Caleb while coming off an addition to pain killers].
Combine these lyrics (of which bloggers interpret to be anything from about vampires to Christ) with their pentecostal upbringing [Check out interview that reveals a more "Christian" KOL ( Kevchino Interview )] and what is one to think about their "who" or "what" is behind
their music?As one continues to probe around their videos and interviews, you can also see a not so "Christian" KOL talking about getting drunk, using profanity, getting high and the like. So "who" or "what" is behind their music?
New Ethos makes no judgments on KOL but recognizes their talents and the potential such a band can and will have on a culture if indeed they remain faithful to their roots while as artists, not being afraid to "go outside the box" and create true, beautiful, and good music as God has gifted them for.
Though KOL may have some rough edges right now (remember, God is patient with us as He sees us not as we are but how we will be if we cooperate with his grace - I am a perfect example of that work in progress), I cannot help but hold faith and hope for what God may have in store for this band, especially with comments such as this from Nathan: "We didn't give up that music (pentecostal, gospel) for rock and roll; we had the music in us all along. Understand Aretha Franklin, she was a Pentecostal girl. AL Green. We don't want to come off as a church band, but we're not scared of the fact that a lot of our influences musically come from our past."
KOL, are prayers are with you for your success (as God would want it) and we will be patient with your private "over indulgences" at times - but could you please, if you have the chance, and we are no prigs, rename that song to "Spirit on Fire" instead?
Fr. Don
