First things first- Aha Shake Heartbreak is a quality name for a rock 'n' roll album, no doubt about it. Now, Kings of Leon are a four-piece hailing from the deep south in the States:
The Band:
Caleb Followill: Vocals/Guitar
Jared Followill: Bass
Nathan Foolowill: Percussion
Matthew ... Read review
Typecast them as rootin', tootin' cowboy rockers if you will, butAha Shake Heartbreakshows ... more
the Kings Of Leon have more to offer than beardy rock classicism. Indeed, for all the talk of Neil Young or Creedence Clearwater Revival, the outfit this Nashvil...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Typecast them as rootin', tootin' cowboy rockers if you will, but Aha Shake Heartbreak ... more
shows the Kings Of Leon have more to offer than beardy rock classicism. Indeed, for all the talk of Neil Young or Creedence Clearwater Revival, the outfit this Nashv...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
When the Nashville four released their Youthand Young Manhood?/A> debut in the summer of ... more
2003, it confirmedthat the hype should be believed. Plus insight that not allTennessee tunes are for those with a penchant for dungarees, thatfamily bands neednt b...
Typecast them as rootin', tootin' cowboy rockers if you will, butAha Shake Heartbreakshows ... more
the Kings Of Leon have more to offer than beardy rock classicism. Indeed, for all the talk of Neil Young or Creedence Clearwater Revival, the outfit this Nashvil...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Bluesy, warm album with plenty of character Disadvantages: A bit samey in places
First things first- Aha Shake Heartbreak is a quality name for a rock 'n' roll album, no doubt about it. Now, Kings of Leon are a four-piece hailing from the deep south in the States:
The Band:
Caleb Followill: Vocals/Guitar
Jared Followill: Bass
Nathan Foolowill: Percussion
Matthew Followill: Lead Guitar
The identical surnames are no coincidence! No are they a cheap gimmick! Three ... ...four however are very, very hairy and very rock 'n' roll is posture and appearance. Can the music match the image?
The band's first album, 'Youth and Young Manhood' was hugely successful in the UK, reaching No. 3 in the album charts as well as providing a flurry of hit singles, most notably: 'Molly's Chambers'. Kings of Leon are indeed the newest 'Indie kids on the block' and their anthems can currently be heard pumping out of many ... more
First things first- Aha Shake Heartbreak is a quality name for a rock 'n' roll album, no doubt about it. Now, Kings of Leon are a four-piece hailing from the deep south in the States:
The Band:
Caleb Followill: Vocals/Guitar Jared Followill: Bass Nathan Foolowill: Percussion Matthew Followill: Lead Guitar
The identical surnames are no coincidence! No are they a cheap gimmick! Three of the band are brothers, Matthew is their cousin. All four however are very, very hairy and very rock 'n' roll is posture and appearance. Can the music match the image?
The band's first album, 'Youth and Young Manhood' was hugely successful in the UK, reaching No. 3 in the album charts as well as providing a flurry of hit singles, most notably: 'Molly's Chambers'. Kings of Leon are indeed the newest 'Indie kids on the block' and their anthems can currently be heard pumping out of many an indie club up and down the country.
However, the second album is often considered 'difficult' by many; having made such good first impressions, can this be sustained?
Track-Listing:
1. Slow Night, So Long - Gentle intro. Distinctive gravely vocals give song a 'rock' edge. Musically, could be the backing track to many a 'Strokes' song: simple melody, simple time signature etc. The song has a false end after 2.5 minutes into the song. It then continues with the delightfully repeated refrain of 'Rise and shine all you gold-digging mothers'. 7 out of 10
2. King of the Rodeo - Jagged-edged guitars dominate the verse before launching into an innovative chorus- quickly uttered vocals accompanied by hand-claps. A very catchy and immediate song. A short song, barely over 2 minutes. 8 out of 10
3. Taper Jean Girl - Hard-hitting drum intro starts the song before being joined by duelling guitars. There is a certain 'relaxed' style to the vocal delivery here which is refreshing. Tempo increases towards the end, a great toe-tapping moment. 7 out of 10
4. Pistol of Fire - Up-beat funky number which has good danceability. Classic guitar solo in the outro draw similarities to Led Zeppelin. A lively, rocking song that has good potential for a future single. 8 out of 10
5. Milk - Longest song of the album at 4 minutes. Very quiet beginning penetrated my occasionally irritating vocals- Caled holds the note poorly. Song then speeds up for short period (where bongos can be heard!) before returning to the subtle verse. Quite a strange track, diverse and abstract. 6 out of 10
6. The Bucket - The lead single of the album and a good one at that. Instantly cheery, this song is intricate with a high feel-good factor. The chorus involves the glorious harmonic crooning of dual vocals (although what is actually being sung is a mystery). Abrupt ending is perhaps a bit unnecessary. 8 out of 10
7. Soft - Once again, sounds like The Strokes but with a Texan accent. Lyrically, appears to tell of a sexual failure due, possibly, to a certain amount of inebriation- 'I'd come all over your body but I'm soft'. Hmmm... A good, up-beat number with plenty of jig.
7 out of 10
8. Razz - Very funky bass line pulsates throughout this entire track. These boys sure know how to play the blues....rollicking riffs and plenty of swagger. Kings of Leon at their most noisiest. A real highlight. 8 out of 10
9. Day Old Blue - Gentle acoustic guitar introduces this number. Accompanied by a sole vocal, this sounds like its about 50 years old, and that’s a GOOD thing. The chorus features the bizarre use of a quasi-yodel style of singing. The bridge here has a nice build-up before returning to the delicate chorus. Nice. 7 out of 10
10. Four Kicks - A pretty heavy guitar intro reminiscent of The White Stripes in its simplicity and distortion. The rhythm is broken by a brilliantly formulated chorus that catches the listener off-guard. The instrumental break is pure rock 'n' roll glory; crashing drums and loud guitars coming together in a big fat mess. 9 out of 10
11. Velvet Snow - Immediate quick tempo. Verse features oft-repeated phrases like 'Looks like your stuck in Velvet Snow'. The guitar throughout is 'angular' in a way that only indie can be and the solo here is very Libertines. All in all however, this is a bit of a 'throw-away track', nothing of substance. 5 out of 10
12. Rememo - Plodding intro alternates between two notes. This continues throughout the verse... sometimes simplicity just sounds unimaginative. The song is saved by a lovely guitar solo with plenty of reverb to help you drift away...although this song may well actually send you to sleep, not good. 5 out of 10
13. Where Nobody Knows - Classic Kings of Leon sound: deep, gravely vocals, bass-heavy, with a treble-emphasised guitar sound. The chorus here is reasonably immediate but the overall song is nothing spectacular. Sounds too much like the other material. 6 out of 10
In musical terms, Kings of Leon can be described as Retro Rockabilly with a sonic heritage firmly rooted in the past. Thematically, Kings of Leon still remain something of a mystery to me as its often hard to understand what exactly Caled is singing about (although you get the feeling it doesn't matter too much here- note 'lyric' rating I have give this). Indeed, this is music to dance to, not think to.
There are two types of song on this album. There are the ones such as 'Four Kicks' and 'Razz' which provide the perfect soundtrack to a pre-party gathering, getting people in the mood to strut their stuff. The other type are the sort of songs you listen to outside in the summer with beer in hand, just chilling. Either way, this is a very good album with loads of melody, intricacy and warmth. Recommended.
Advantages: Full of depth and feeling. It rocks too. Disadvantages: Keep away from maiden aunts.
Its been a while since any new bands have actually tried to mature their music with their second album for fear of alienating their fans, but thats exactly what KoL have managed with this their second album. The band paint their existence and experiences in your mind with their lyrics, yet still retain their rock and roll rhythm, and don't deaden the tone of the tracks for the sake of their lyrics, achieving that rarest of things, balance of lyrics, ... ...express themselves.
The album is kicked off with 'Slow Nights, So Long' that sets the tone, one of haunting and repetitive guitar riffs that are reflected throughout the album. The upbeat tempo of the starting track continues through 'King of the Rodeo' 'Taper Jean Girl' and 'Pistol of Fire'. Its not until 'Pistol of Fire' before you realise how much the four boys from the deep south have moved on as musicians as well as people since their first ...
Rich-the-Great 24.08.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Aha Shake Heartbreak - Kings Of Leon
Advantages: Good vibe and a rocky sound Disadvantages: none that I can think of
In a world where short-lived pop melodies created by management rather than by the artists are taking over, it is a breath of fresh air to find a band whoto stick to their roots and create music with a simple yet inspiring - occassionally mellow rock vibe.
Anyone who knows Kings of Leon or who have bought their previous album, Youth and Young Manhood knows what Kings of Leon have to offer and don't need me to convince them to buy their second album. ... ...buy this album!
Interestingly for a rock album (with a slight down home country feel to it) there is a consistently uplifting vibe to this album. I defy anyone to listen to this without finding your foot taping along or your head nodding back and forth by half way through the first song, Slow night so long.
When listening to this album, as with their first you get a sense that they went into the studio and recorded in one take - it almost has a ...
ally2kc 18.05.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Aha Shake Heartbreak - Kings Of Leon
Advantages: Absolutely fantastic album, every song is enjoyable! Disadvantages: Not long enough!!
The Kings come back with this, their second album, and boy are they back with a bite!
I find this album to be absolutely listenable all day everyday! I have yet to get sick of listening to this on my phone on my way to work.
There are 12 songs in all and I have tried to do a mini review for each song below:
Slow Night, So Long is a cracking opener to the album with a twisting change 2/3 of the way in to the song when it sounds like its going to ... ...(much calmer, more of a guitar solo).
King Of The Rodeo is a very dancy tune and one that everything can sing along to (even if you are just making up the words as you go along - like I must admit I do sometimes!) Taper Jean Girl has quite a percussiony feel to it, lots of twangy noises, great drumbeat too! Pistol Of Fire has a very quiet beginning before breaking into a classic guitar rift! A great song to be shouted at the top of your lungs in ...
katyeverett 23.03.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Aha Shake Heartbreak - Kings Of Leon
Advantages: Its retro Heaven Disadvantages: Not groundbreaking!
...be dissappointed with this. Aha Shake Heartbreak shows a progression in the Kings sound implying they have taken a completely different approach to making this album to their previous debut album. Lead singer Caleb's unique drawling has always made the lyrics hard to decipher, however on 2 songs in particular - Taper Jean Girl and 4 Kicks, Caleb has transformed his vocal tunning to that similar to Vic Reeves!!
I reckon the best song both musically ... ...style which would be an ideal backround track for one of those horror movies which involve a long trucker drive, just before the scarey bit. My least favourite track was Velvet Snow, cool name, bad track. But who am I to condem it, find out for yourself!!
Overall not a bad effort with 9 out od 12 songs hitting the right spot. As with any artist release it may take time for many of these tunes to grow on you, but if you are a Kings fan it will be ...
debz4912 18.11.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Aha Shake Heartbreak - Kings Of Leon
Advantages: Taking it back to the Old School Disadvantages: Not Groundbreaking
I saw Kings of Leon supporting The Music when they played the Bridlington Spa a few years back. And I was very much impressed by the fact that they got a crowd who had hardly heard of these guys to mosh.
Kings of Leon rock. Their 2nd album, A Ha Shake Heartbreak rocks. Theres no denying it, this is rock without all the fancy electronic gimmicks and craziness that all these new fangled bands have. It's surprisingly refreshing, there's no pretensiousness ... ...full of bravado, brave and manly. Like what old fashioned rock should be. Caleb Folowill delivers his bar room drawl over some real music to strut to throughout this album. (although I also noticed that in some songs he did sound like Vic Reeves, as another Ciao review pointed out).
Not a single track on this album is a misfire. It's so good, that it's hard to pick out the stand outs, but here are a few, "The Bucket", "Taper Jean Girl", "Pistol ...
hahnchen 17.01.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Aha Shake Heartbreak - Kings Of Leon
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Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
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Advantages: An excellent piece of music Disadvantages: Disadvantages?!
So, The Kings of Leon hey? From a southern American state to nearing global domination in about five years. However, for four of them years they hardly looked like 'breaking it'. Their debut full-length album "Young & Young Manhood" was an excellent first effort that seemed a bit 'different' to the majority of stuff out there. "Aha, ShakeHeartbreak" was a great performance for the so-called difficult second album. But it ultimately appeared as if the Kings of Leon were destined to be a band that the majority liked but only the minority loved....
Then something happened. "Because of the Times" was released.
Released on April 2, 2007 in the UK on Hand Me Down it stormed to the top of the album chart and give the band radio airplay that it only sparsely received prior to the release. The album's 13 tracks show not so much ...
Advantages: Some Brillaint Chart Toppers Disadvantages: A Few average Joe Songs...
opinion, but I feel it is a real weak point in the album and it never really gets started. My Favourite line is ?you know I?m a dancing machine?
Track 7 ? 17 ? ?3.05? My Rating 7/10
No I haven?t misspelt the title; the song is actually called 17 and is about a 17 year old girl who regularly features throughout the lyrics. The song was rumoured to have been a left over from their second album, ?AhaShakeHeartbreak?, and features an old school Kings of Leon baseline, which is very effective and prominent throughout the song. My favourite line in the song is ?wind and wind and wound up over everything?, because it is showing their opinion on what the teenage girl is like.
Track 8 ? Notion ? ?3.00? My Rating 9.5/10
Another superb hidden gem hidden in with all the chart topping hits! Notion is the shortest song on the album, but is also one ...
Advantages: Good variation of artists! Disadvantages: Some songs stand weak! Quite expensive!
song! The lyrics "I've got soul but im not a soldier" sold me on this song - Lyrical Genius! 8/10
Kings Of Leon - The bucket
Album - AhaShakeHeartbreak
Great Intro - drummer is ace! Fairly easy on the ears! 7/10
The Zutons - You will You wont
Album - Who killed The Zutons?
Quite plain, lyrics not all that. I don't like this at all. Aquired taste! 4/10
Blur - Song 2
Album - Blur
One of the few classic indie songs on the whole album. Great beats & vibe. Easy to sing to. Get out the air guitar! 9/10
Pixies - Monkey Gone To Heaven
Album - Wave Of Mutiltion
Very slow start, makes me want to skip to the next track! Not all that. 3/10
Editors - Blood
Album - The Back Room
I love the tempo and the guitar rifts! Lyrics are ace! This is one of my faves! Adrenalin Pumping! 10/10
Maximo Park - Going ...
Product Information for "Aha Shake Heartbreak - Kings Of Leon" »
Product details
Title
Aha Shake Heartbreak
Performer
Kings Of Leon
Genre
Rock & Pop
Sub Genre
Alternative
Release Date
01/11/2004
Recomended Retail Price
10.99 GBP
Original Release Year
2005
Label / Distributor
Handmedown / Sony Music/Arvato Services
Engineer
Robert Fulps
Producer
Ethan Johns; Angelo
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Stereo
Stereo
Format
Performer
EAN
828766563528
Additional notes
Album Notes
Kings of Leon's blend of bluesy raunch, countrified inflections, streamlined Strokes-like guitar jams, sleepy psychedelia, and post-punk stylings is a fresh, yet somehow familiar, cocktail. AHA SHAKE HEARTBREAK, the band's sophomore effort, follows closely on the heels of the honky-tonk rock of their debut, but it pushes the whole even further into unexpected territory. While "Pistol of Fire" cooks like John Lee Hooker with extra backbeat and a side of beans, other tracks on HEARTBREAK mix classic-rock boogie ("Four Kicks"), swagger and desperate yowls ("The Bucket"), and hillbilly yodels ("Day Old Blues") into an engaging indie aesthetic. As if Kings of Leon's keen songwriting, stylistic amalgam, and gutsy attack weren't enough, there is the utterly unique singing of Caleb Followill, who usually sounds as though he is heavily intoxicated or has just woken up from a nap. Followill's lazy, idiosyncratic phrasing and intonation admirably take Kings of Leon out of the realm of potentially similar bands, with singers who are content to yelp and imitate. AHA SHAKE HEARTBREAK rocks, rolls over, dreams, and gets up with a pain in its heart--a process that merits numerous listens.
Album Reviews
The Times - "Perhaps the finest American band of the decade."Mojo - "...outstanding...makes The Strokes sound like they're the ones who need to keep up."NME - "Pisses all over YOUTH AND YOUNG MANHOOD - Hallelujah."
Titles on disc 1
1.
Slow Night So Long
2.
King Of The Rodeo
3.
Taper Jean Girl
4.
Pistol Of Fire
5.
Milk
6.
Bucket
7.
Soft
8.
Razz
9.
Day Old Blues
10.
Four Kicks
11.
Velvet Snow
12.
Rememo
13.
Where Nobody Knows (bonus track)
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since
18/11/2004
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