Tennessee rockers offer country-fried flavor, Southern style

What would happen if one were to throw classic discs by Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers, Tom Petty, Randy Newman, Dire Straits and new school rockers the Strokes into a blender and hit puree? Physically, it'd be one hell of a mess. Sonically, it'd sound something akin to Kings of Leon's debut record, Youth and Young Manhood -- a near revelation.\nThough somewhat derivative in sound, the Kings, comprised of the brothers Followill (lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Caleb, bassist and sometime pianist Jared and drummer/background vocalist Nathan) and their cousin, lead guitarist Matthew Followill, have such enthusiasm and musicality it hardly matters. These Tennessee-bred sons of a Pentecostal minister will single-handedly resurrect the oft-forgotten sub-genre of country-fried Southern rock.\nHighlights include the very Strokes-esque "Happy Alone," "Joe's Head," "California Waiting" and "Genius." Another fave is the deeply hidden (unfortunately so) bonus track "Talihina Sky," which happens to be the album's truest ballad, even besting the more than competent stylings of resident softer cut, "Trani." "Spiral Staircase" and "Molly's Chambers" are some of the funkiest, sexiest and most raucous rockers I've heard in ages -- the former even finds Caleb cribbing some of the late Bon Scott's greatest hits.\nThe record's only drawback is Caleb's occasional vocal stumbles. When in a higher register, he sounds much like an "Exorcist"-era Linda Blair minus all the shtick. Otherwise, it's smooth sailing.