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. JaviM
    Jan 9, 2006
    10
    Amazing sound. Great songs, they're not all the same so it gives a great feeling to the listener. Plus some of the lyrics are just great
  2. joel
    Apr 29, 2006
    10
    i feel this album is being given less credit than it deserves, a great follow up album to youth and young manhood! slownight so long and day old blues are the highlights of a fantastic album!
  3. KimP
    Jun 8, 2006
    10
    This is one of the albums i never get tired of listening to. Music is supposed to be raw and full of passion, and this album is a perfect display of that. As for Caleb's voice, I think it's beautiful. Perfect voiced singers bore me.
  4. JamieK
    Jun 8, 2006
    10
    this album deserved to be best album of the year.
  5. SidVicious
    Sep 2, 2006
    10
    Hype can be an artists best friend or worst enemy. Kings of Leon recieved a hell of alot of hype. Hype usually deters me - if only becuase I've been burnt in the past by the hype machine. But I was crazy for the song 'Red Morning Light' off Youth and Young Manhood - So there you go, huh? And guess what fellows? Aha Shake Heartbreak is fecking fantastic! Buy it. Listen to Hype can be an artists best friend or worst enemy. Kings of Leon recieved a hell of alot of hype. Hype usually deters me - if only becuase I've been burnt in the past by the hype machine. But I was crazy for the song 'Red Morning Light' off Youth and Young Manhood - So there you go, huh? And guess what fellows? Aha Shake Heartbreak is fecking fantastic! Buy it. Listen to it. Make sweet love to it. You'll thank me later.… Expand
  6. Joey
    Nov 22, 2004
    9
    the stylus magazine review nails down this album pretty well. the album is terrific-check it out.
  7. PaulW
    Nov 25, 2004
    9
    This CD is one of the best cd's i have ever bought! It's very out of the ordinary and thats what makes it so great. But maybe thats why i like it, i hate following the crowd and thats why these are such a great alternative to the Strokes, both equally as ingenious but perhaps this album offers more to the listener than the monotonous room on fire! Hope this has been a help, go This CD is one of the best cd's i have ever bought! It's very out of the ordinary and thats what makes it so great. But maybe thats why i like it, i hate following the crowd and thats why these are such a great alternative to the Strokes, both equally as ingenious but perhaps this album offers more to the listener than the monotonous room on fire! Hope this has been a help, go out and buy this album now!!!… Expand
  8. JerryHello
    Nov 27, 2004
    10
    Better than the first. Plain brilliant and fun. Rockin' good news.
  9. JamieO
    Dec 22, 2004
    10
    Quality!!This album is full of pounding tunes that will make you want to listen to this album again and again!!Rock 'n' Roll!!
  10. ScottM
    Nov 21, 2005
    8
    can't get Taper Jean Girl out of my head....
  11. ChrisE
    Feb 23, 2005
    8
    Good but like the first album more
  12. steve
    Feb 24, 2005
    9
    fucking strong. can't wait to see them live in may.
  13. patrickD
    Apr 11, 2005
    9
    Grew up in SF with Butterfield, Hendrix, Cream, Led, Santana. I would say this group is the most exciting group I have heard today. Saw them at the Great American Music Hall on 4/9. Tore the house down. It was quite a mix of young and old. All were appreciative of excellence in rock. They have it down pure, powerful and no bull.
  14. KonK
    Apr 25, 2007
    9
    Fantastic album. The band has developed a lot since their debut. It actually sounds like a new band. I liked their debut album, and din't buy this second one for a while, unsure whether it would match the quality of the first. But now, I look back at the first and think, wow- that's nothing compared to this. One of the best contemporary rock albums I have by a band that is Fantastic album. The band has developed a lot since their debut. It actually sounds like a new band. I liked their debut album, and din't buy this second one for a while, unsure whether it would match the quality of the first. But now, I look back at the first and think, wow- that's nothing compared to this. One of the best contemporary rock albums I have by a band that is talented, can actually play their instruments, and play really well.… Expand
  15. MarioPPPP
    Dec 15, 2004
    10
    I don't know what the guy who gave it a 4 meant. It sounds really good, it's produced way better (it doesn't sound like Ryan Adams) than the debut record because you can dance to it and it sounds fresher. Some beats have grown, and you can't call 'em "Southern Strokes" anymore because the guitars have their own style right now.
  16. DOWNEY2010
    Oct 21, 2010
    10
    there is not one bad song on this album, all the songs fit together like a glove. Caleb talks about not getting it up, taking cocaine, women's nipples and having sex with hookers, he leaves no stone unturned, callsic album.
  17. schmageggey
    Feb 12, 2012
    10
    Not only is this one of the best albums of all time, in my top 10, but it is the best Kings of Leon album, and I have all there albums, so I know. This album kicks major ass. The lyrics are hilariously realistic, Caleb's voice is uniquely eccentric, and the instrumentation is perfect. They set up the sound they wanted to start with on "Youth and Young Manhood" and they just perfected it.Not only is this one of the best albums of all time, in my top 10, but it is the best Kings of Leon album, and I have all there albums, so I know. This album kicks major ass. The lyrics are hilariously realistic, Caleb's voice is uniquely eccentric, and the instrumentation is perfect. They set up the sound they wanted to start with on "Youth and Young Manhood" and they just perfected it. This album has a sound and feel that no other album has ever invoked on me before. There is not one bad song on this album. I have listened to each song multiple times, and have listened to this album in it's entirety countless times. This is what music should be.… Expand
  18. MattC
    Feb 24, 2005
    10
    This is an absolutely brilliant album and a great follow-up to their UK debut album. Usually the second album is hard for artists, but Kings Of Leon have mastered the skill with their southern country/rock tones.
  19. patricks
    Mar 20, 2005
    9
    Swashbuckin' stuff from the KoL. This album surpasses their debut. Stacked full of riffs, hooks reminisent of the Stones circa. Exile on Main Street. The album is consistent throughout with only perhaps one or two average songs. The Strokes ort to go to lessons again.
  20. Borat
    Apr 7, 2005
    10
    Jagshemesh!!! Nice! I Like!
  21. JohnR
    Apr 7, 2005
    8
    It's unfortunate that people like 'chairman sac' (below, brilliant man...) feel the need to shred a band without stopping to...um...think......It's sort of obvious that Rolling Stone would be the ones getting ADVERTISING REVENUE from listing the clothes they give to the band, free, for the shoot. "Here, pick any clothes you guys want off of these racks for the shoot." It's unfortunate that people like 'chairman sac' (below, brilliant man...) feel the need to shred a band without stopping to...um...think......It's sort of obvious that Rolling Stone would be the ones getting ADVERTISING REVENUE from listing the clothes they give to the band, free, for the shoot. "Here, pick any clothes you guys want off of these racks for the shoot." Yeah. What a bunch of jerks... Great record, though there are admittedly a few filler cuts mixed in with 4 or 5 showstoppers...Not as 'southern' as their first (sounding like the police several times...) but that's really a good thing. Next one should be damn good. BTW- vocals are one aspect of a band. Those that say the redundant- "band is okay but vocals are crap" and then give a 0 or 1 rating must feel 80-100% of music is the vocals...Okay, if you feel they make the record unlistenable then fine...but 'catchy tunes and hooks' surely indicate more than a 1...… Expand
  22. zackg
    Jan 1, 2005
    10
    This is a spectacular album. Their first was great, but Aha Shake Heartbreak is twice as good. These guys are really good, and hopefully their music is heard by more ears in the future, because people are missing out on some great sound.
  23. AmerB
    Jan 8, 2005
    10
    A pleasant surprise, indeed. This album is great. After listening to their first album, you could feel there's something great in their sound. Their confidence was appealing..and with their sound now being improved..KOF is one hell of a great band. Shorter songs..faster beats..and the slow numbers hit the mark as well. The only thing that can be improved now is the lyrics. But A pleasant surprise, indeed. This album is great. After listening to their first album, you could feel there's something great in their sound. Their confidence was appealing..and with their sound now being improved..KOF is one hell of a great band. Shorter songs..faster beats..and the slow numbers hit the mark as well. The only thing that can be improved now is the lyrics. But overall, this album is really refreshing.… Expand
  24. Dannyd
    Feb 10, 2005
    9
    Not as good as Youth and Young Manhood. Still Rockin
  25. BenJ
    Feb 23, 2005
    8
    This is a brilliant album that surpasses "Youth & Young Manhood" with ease in my book. It's strengths lie in great songs and brilliant sequencing, so the album reaches constant peaks rather than the usual "load the good songs at the front but let it trail off at the end"
  26. goatiestoatie
    Feb 6, 2005
    10
    awesome
  27. KOLRoXYeah
    Mar 26, 2005
    10
    This album definately lives up to it expectations. With amazing songs like 4 Kicks, King of the Rodeo, and Velvet Snow, this alblum is jam-packed with HITS, Calebs vocals are original and addicting to listen to. I campare them to band like The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. Rock music can be saved and the Kings Of Leon are here to help!
  28. Nymark
    Mar 8, 2005
    9
    a disjointed simple complexity that craves attention. this album is an intriguing adventure to say the least. as a recording it holds a lot of heart within its writing, production and performance, live on the other hand?... i'll find that out on the 9th july in newcastle, uk. bring it on.
  29. AshleyM
    Mar 9, 2005
    9
    The first album was hard to take. The band was marketed as a southern fried answer to the Strokes, and the album was painfully polished. If they came out of the garage for that album, they went back in for this one. The new album brings to mind Captain Beefheart if he were to embrace Stoner Rock. Definitely a good and if not innovative, very strong album.
  30. KyleB
    Apr 18, 2005
    9
    King of Leon are so underrated. It's sad. Just because they're not the most original band ever, doesn't mean they're not enjoyable.
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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.
    Read full review
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