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

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  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. 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.
  18. crunkymccrunk
    Mar 10, 2005
    1
    i hate these guys darnit!! poser attack!!!
  19. 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
  20. jayk
    Oct 24, 2006
    4
    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 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)… Expand
  21. 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
  22. tim
    May 25, 2005
    5
    sux ass compared to the first one
  23. 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
  24. 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.
  25. 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.
  26. Borat
    Apr 7, 2005
    10
    Jagshemesh!!! Nice! I Like!
  27. 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
  28. 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
  29. 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.
  30. 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
prev
Page:

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
See all critic reviews »