B-

Only by the Night

(RCA)

BIG BOYS NOW: Followers of the Followill clan know the story: Three sons of a traveling Southern preacher join with a cousin and become one of this decade's most praised American rock acts. We've heard them grow into music men, from the ramshackle, weed-infested and gravelly 2003 debut, Youth and Young Manhood, to last year's refined, chest-forward and darn-near-proggy Because of the Times.

SOUTHERN COMFORT: Until now, every recording demonstrated remarkable progress. Only by the Night is where that streak ends. The album has a polished, drone-dipped, midtempo British feel, understandable since the Kings live up to their royal name across the pond, but disappointing since the reversion represents hand-sitting to the point of numbness. That said, standout tracks are numerous: "Crawl" has tangible Led Zeppelin-like swagger, and the melancholy cowbell in "I Want You" gives that otherwise banal song a playful and sexy character. Caleb Followill's voice never sounded so learned and emphatic, too.

BOTTOM LINE: For the first time, the Kings of Leon sound like grown-ups. Though that's satisfying and worthy of genuflection, it's a bit of a bummer.

Mike Daniel

C

Time the Conqueror

Inside Recordings

BROWNE'S TIME ... : The 21st century seems to have been a fertile period for experienced singer-songwriters. Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen have produced recent work that nearly matches their earlier triumphs. Jackson Browne has a chance to do the same, especially because two career-covering, solo-acoustic live discs in 2005 and 2008 were effective reminders of his talent. Time the Conqueror, his first album of new material in six years, ought to be a reminder that he's still got it.

... OR NOT: Mr. Browne retains a voice that combines full earnestness with expressive tunefulness. And he retains insight into the shadowy workings of the human heart, as shown by the uneasy acknowledgement of mortality on the title track. However, he doesn't go much further than the op-ed page with strangely passionless political commentaries such as "Where Were You" and "The Drums of War." Nor does he put much musical drive or production bite into songs that desperately need both.

BOTTOM LINE: Don't call it a comeback – because it isn't one.

Jon M. Gilbertson

B+

Acid Tongue

Warner Bros.

RILO WHO? Jenny Lewis came to fame with Rilo Kiley, but lately the singer's done her best work on her solo albums. Acid Tongue rocks harder than 2006's Rabbit Fur Coat, especially on the punk-blues "See Fernando" and "Pretty Bird," an eight-minute suite that tips its hat to PJ Harvey and the White Stripes. Even edgier is "Jack Killed Mom," a soulful garage rocker she debuted for Dallas fans two years ago at Horchow Auditorium.

ECLECTIC TWANG: She's still dabbling in country-gospel, but this time she goes for baroque and adds strings. A Perfect Circle's Paz Lenchantin (violin) and her sister Ana Lenchantin (cello) lend a haunting vibe to the ballads "Tryin' My Best" and "Black Sand."

ELVIS AND A BLACK CROWE: She's replaced the Watson Twins (her Rabbit backing duo) with a series of guest vocalists. Elvis Costello howls and harmonizes on "Carpetbaggers," and Chris Robinson leads the lovely chorus on the title track. Leslie Lewis, the singer's sister, and actress Zooey Deschanel round out the choir.

BOTTOM LINE: Let's hope the next Rilo Kiley CD has half as much rough-hewn charm as Acid Tongue.

Thor Christensen

A-

Simplemente La Verdad

Sony BMG Norte

SIMPLY FRANCO: The Venezuelan singer-songwriter takes his time between studio albums. Simplemente La Verdad follows 2004's Stop. But his artistry is surely worth the wait. Verdad isn't as brilliant as Stop, but with Mr. De Vita, the line between great and superb is thin indeed. Completely written and produced by the 54-year-old star, Verdad combines his signature blend of soaring melodies, tropical rhythms, hearty hooks, dramatic lyrics and crisp production.

SONGS FOR CONTEMPLATION: Mr. De Vita has a way of making us see ourselves within the space of his tunes. Anybody can identify with the sentimental longing of "Si Algún Día Te Vuelvo a Ver," the passionate romanticism of "Mi Sueño," the sultry sincerity of "Cuando Tus Ojos Me Miran" and the fiery, thought-provoking "10 Años Y Un Dia." Plus, he sings with such urgency, as if he's bent on communicating the character of his compositions.

BOTTOM LINE: After nearly 25 years of penning powerful songs for himself and fellow singers, Mr. De Vita is now crafting the strongest material of his trajectory.

Mario Tarradell