Aha Shake Heartbreak
by Kings of Leon
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 136 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 118 out of 136
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 136
  3. Negative: 11 out of 136

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  1. AlanR
    Feb 2, 2005
    0
    Only the most emotionally crippled people with no respect for the original rock legends these guys spunk on could possibly enjoy this.
  2. crunkymccrunk
    Mar 10, 2005
    1
    i hate these guys darnit!! poser attack!!!
  3. Mr.Hankey
    Jul 15, 2006
    3
    Unfortunately, I was part of the hype machine as well. I usually don't listen to hype bands besides the few that caught my attention earlier in their recording stages. Youth and Young Manhood won itself the worst title of 2003 but was a very mediocre anyway so it was not ironic. Winning themselves car commercials Kings of Leon were confident to go back into the studio to produce Unfortunately, I was part of the hype machine as well. I usually don't listen to hype bands besides the few that caught my attention earlier in their recording stages. Youth and Young Manhood won itself the worst title of 2003 but was a very mediocre anyway so it was not ironic. Winning themselves car commercials Kings of Leon were confident to go back into the studio to produce their sophomore effort Aha Shake Heartbreak which is the lamest excuse to go see a band live. I saw Kings of Leon in 2005 with the Shout Out Louds and Secret Machines and what was so funny is that the warm-up bands were even better than the headliner. Kings of Leon's Aha Shake Heartbreak is considered a garage rock revival outfit and I have to agree but the keyword is revival because this is no garage rock record. They may try to revive it but they will get the same sound that is bland, blunt and blatant every time you listen. Both their albums sound exactly alike and I don't care what anyone says the concert that I saw was horrible ( Thank God for the Secret Machines ). The lightest way I can shun this record is by saying this, this is my opinion not pitchfork's but if you like your Coldplay southern with no piano or keyboard, heavier on the guitar and a rough voice that sounds like a mouse than you have a favorite record of 2005.… Expand
  4. DannyC
    Apr 12, 2005
    3
    I bought this record with great expections. I listened to it for about a week. I dig there sound, and I like what they are doing, but it comes down to the fact that the songs are just poor. I find Caleb's voice painfull to listen to. The Bucket is the only song worth listening to. I enjoy this song alot. It seems that whenever a song starts I like it, but then the boys try to make it I bought this record with great expections. I listened to it for about a week. I dig there sound, and I like what they are doing, but it comes down to the fact that the songs are just poor. I find Caleb's voice painfull to listen to. The Bucket is the only song worth listening to. I enjoy this song alot. It seems that whenever a song starts I like it, but then the boys try to make it sound bad, by bad melodies, bad lyrics, and bad vocals. Better luck next time boys.… Expand
  5. JeffD
    Jul 8, 2005
    3
    I wanted to like this album, I really did. But what kept coming back to me was that there's really nothing there. This disc reminds me of The Strokes in that they're competent musicians, but there's no content. As the famous phrase says, "there's no there there." Vocalist reminds me somewhat of Bon Scott, and the music is decent 70's-ish rock/boogie, but this disc I wanted to like this album, I really did. But what kept coming back to me was that there's really nothing there. This disc reminds me of The Strokes in that they're competent musicians, but there's no content. As the famous phrase says, "there's no there there." Vocalist reminds me somewhat of Bon Scott, and the music is decent 70's-ish rock/boogie, but this disc passed by without a notice in my cd player. I put it on again, and before I knew it 6 songs had passed by without any real notice. There's just nothing there that really breaks any new ground or recycles older styles in a memorable way. Forgettable. Also presenting an issue (which the band probably had nothing to do with) is the fact that the CD has Microsoft Copy Protection, which means that if you buy this CD and want to listen to it on your iPod, you're pretty much out of luck.… Expand
  6. mikek
    Mar 25, 2005
    1
    garbage...it does have some catchy tunes and hooks but the whole albums is boring...followil sounds like crap, how can anyone think that his voice is good...he sounds like randy newman with add as pitchfork said in their review.
  7. ChairmanSac
    Apr 5, 2005
    0
    This type of music is 100% pure, unadulturated garbage. Nothing more. If you want to hear a band that does what 1,000,000 bands have done before, check out Kings of Leon. If you want a band that is so image conscious that they do photo shoots for Rolling Stone in which they list the designer and cost of all the clothes they are wearing, check out Kings of Leon. But if you enjoy quality This type of music is 100% pure, unadulturated garbage. Nothing more. If you want to hear a band that does what 1,000,000 bands have done before, check out Kings of Leon. If you want a band that is so image conscious that they do photo shoots for Rolling Stone in which they list the designer and cost of all the clothes they are wearing, check out Kings of Leon. But if you enjoy quality music, do not check out Kings of Leon; your money would be better spent on some of the $150 jeans they were wearing in Rolling Stone. Simply disgusting.… Expand
  8. JerryS
    Jan 6, 2005
    1
    This is the worst and most painful album I have listened to in years. Because of this I have put it up on Ebay to let some other poor unsuspecting mug buy it.

Awards & Rankings

43
#43 Most Discussed Album of 2005
67
#67 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 31
  3. Negative: 1 out of 31
  1. Stylus Magazine
    80
    Apart from Caleb Followill’s distinctive, growly vocals--half-man half-grizzly--this could be a completely different band. A much better band. It’s quite an incredible transformation--and I’ll say this upfront: it doesn’t matter what you thought of their debut, you should listen to this album.
    Read full review
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    It would seem from the evidence presented here that [King Of Leon] are intent on rebuilding themselves from scratch, drawing on whatever wild and wonderful influences they've tripped over in their race to live five lifetimes in every day. [30 Oct 2004, p.63]
  3. cokemachineglow
    80
    With shorter, tighter songs far more reminiscent of 80’s post-punk than Southern AOR, Aha Shake Heartbreak can only be considered a pleasant surprise.
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