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A storming set at Glastonbury, a T in the Park appearance on July 13, and news of a fourth album, Only by the Night, on September 22: Kings of Leon are ready to roll again. When the band first emerged from Tennessee in 2003, people concentrated on the family ties (three brothers and their cousin), their religious upbringing, hard partying and the Southern-rawk element in their sound. These emphases have sometimes overshadowed what this top 10 so compellingly demonstrates: that KoL are one of America’s best and most inventive bands.

1 Ragoo Unsubtle, reductive rockers? This filigreed Because of the Times stunner begs to differ.

2 Slow Night, So Long A Tom Pettyesque beauty, bemoaning a one-night stand.

3 Wasted Time Frenetic fire-and-brimstone stuff, from their barnstorming debut EP, Holy Roller Novocaine.

4 Knocked Up An eye-opener from BotT. Can that really be octave-popping disco bass?

5 Day Old Blues ASH’s cry from the heart.

6 Genius One of the many reasons Youth and Young Manhood made us sit up and listen.

7 Pistol of Fire The influence of the Followills’ preacher father ignites this cracker.

8 Fans Caleb Followill’s greatest vocal, from last year’s BotT album.

9 The Bucket Want to get a party started? Begin with this storming ASH standout.

10 Holy Roller Novocaine Filthy, dirty, messed-up blues from 2003. Irresistible.

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