Aha Shake Heartbreak - Kings Of Leon

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 of the band are brothers, Matthew is their cousin. All four ...
...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 ... Read review

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 ... Read review

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 ... Read review

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 ... Read review

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 ... Read review

Advantages: Good variation of artists!
Disadvantages: Some songs stand weak! Quite expensive!

...not a soldier" sold me on this song - Lyrical Genius! 8/10 Kings Of Leon - The bucket Album - Aha Shake Heartbreak 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 Missing Album - A Certain Trigger I am undecided on this one also, I like... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful