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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Aha Shake Heartbreak
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 31 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 84 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Handmedown / RCA
Release Date: 22 February 2005
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Indie, Rock
Summary
Ethan Johns produced this sophomore album for southern rockers and brothers Caleb, Nathan, Jared and Matthew Followill. (OK, so Matthew is only a cousin, but he was still allowed to join the band.)
Also By This Artist: Because Of The Times Only By The Night Youth & Young Manhood
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
E! Online
Now the melodies are sharper, the scissor kicks are higher and the grooves are, er, groovier.
Read Full Review >Delusions of Adequacy
Wrongly cast as a chicken-fried version The Strokes after 2003’s stellar Youth & Young Manhood, on their latest, Aha Shake Heartbreak, The Kings prove that they’re a band of significant depth and originality.
Read Full Review >Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
There's an early-Stones feel here it would be perverse to deny: 12 songs in 36 minutes, each with an indelible identiriff and its own seductive rhythmic shape.
Read Full Review >New York Magazine
While Aha Shake Heartbreak showcases four feckless stoners speaking in their own shop-class patois, it also captures them playing alarmingly sophisticated pop.
Read Full Review >Under The Radar
In taking back the rawness of [their] first e.p., the band have simultaneously acquired the courage to experiment with a surprising number of styles. [#9]
Billboard
A more focused effort that never sacrifices the band's manic intensity.
Read Full Review >Lost At Sea
Aha Shake Heartbreak surpasses the previous record by leaps and bounds; it is a triumph over the dreaded sophomore slump as much as it is a worthy feat in and of itself.
Read Full Review >Drawer B
The lyrical terrain is insultingly common (girls, life on the road, girls), yet the band has such an idiosyncratic method of expression that makes these everyday themes sound – at least over the course of each song – radically inspired.
Read Full Review >Stylus Magazine
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 >New Musical Express
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]
cokemachineglow
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 >The Guardian
Ignore the lyric booklet and you have one of the more impressive albums of 2004.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
Perseverance with the rougher sound and jerky arrangements will be rewarded. [Dec 2004, p.129]
Mojo
An unexpectedly weird bolt from the blue, an ultimately outstanding crack at brokering an accord between spiky noo wave and fuzzy '70s stoner rock. [Nov 2004, p.116]
Blender
If their debut was a night of chasing skirts and drinking Jim Beam from the bottle, Heartbreak is the bitter, worn-out morning after. [Mar 2005, p.138]
Austin Chronicle
Unlike the Strokes, and say, Interpol, no sophomore face-plant here.
Read Full Review >ShakingThrough.net
If Youth and Young Manhood was Kings of Leon tentatively using well-tested implements, Aha Shake Heartbreak is the sound of a group boldly forging a unique identity from common tools that have been stripped of all pretense and decoration.
Read Full Review >Filter
Yet another collection of crafty, drunken stories of manhood devouring youth. [#14, p.101]
Entertainment Weekly
The tunes amount to sharply played but disjointed riffs. [25 Feb 2005, p.102]
Spin
Though they fit snugly inside their vintage genes, the Kings manage to make room for a surprising amount of heart. [Mar 2005, p.85]
All Music Guide
It's their seamless and agreeable blend of rock & roll, country, and Roky Erickson-style psychedelia, matched with a keen lyrical wit, that makes them fascinating to both sides of the pond.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone
Heartbreak is an instance when that hoary music-biz cliche -- "They're better onstage" -- rings true; ironically so, since the Kings and producer Ethan Johns recorded Aha Shake Heartbreak live in the studio, with no overdubs.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
There's plenty to enjoy on the new album and Kings of Leon seem willing to play it slow and become a career act.
Read Full Review >Drowned In Sound
Musically, at least, Kings of Leon have matured during their two years on the road and, if you ignore some of the less than elegant lyrics, they have produced an acceptable second album.
Read Full Review >Dot Music
What remains... is a jerky, cocksure indie group striving to be accepted as a proper grown-up Southern Rock band, without the guts, depth or tunes to carry it off.
Read Full Review >Paste Magazine
In song after song there are moments where it sounds like the band is weaving its way into a fantastic instrumental jam section, only to have the new idea abruptly cut short by the track’s end or an obligatory return to the next verse.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
The album's one redeeming element is the band itself, who-- over the course of one EP and two albums-- have improved tenfold.
Read Full Review >Uncut
Nothing more than the uncomfortable sound of a band escaping their svengali. [Dec 2004, p.142]
Village Voice
Only once do the Kings offer an identity worth bugging out in a club over, on the reckless and fantastic "Taper Jean Girl." The rest of the time, it all seems more confused and cynically gimmicked than inspired.
Read Full Review >Tiny Mix Tapes
While this is drastically experimental by their standards, there is nothing here you haven't heard done infinitely better many times before.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.2 (out of 10) based on 84 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Will L. gave it a9:
This album has a very live feel, in terms of little overdubs, tracks don't hang around long with the album just about 35 mins. 'The Bucket' and 'King of the Rodeo' are my favourites, it's only flaw is it fizzles out a little near the end.
Kit T gave it a10:
One of my favourite albums of all time, 'nuff said...
Kon K gave it a9:
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.
Robert P gave it a10:
I love this album. It's fresh and fun.
jay k gave it a4:
i really wanted to like this band, and i did, until i found out they just copy off of zeppelin in their pics and logos. they even try to look like led zeppelin, just go to www.led-zeppelin.com, look at some pics, and then google image search "kings of leon" and you will eventually see what i am talking about i like their songs though, i fell in love with red morning light and the bucket(the only ones worth listening to)
Sid Vicious gave it a10:
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.
[Anonymous] gave it a10:
This album is great to listen to, even years later. Can't wait for their next stuff.
