RATING: 4 out of 5
On their sophomore release Aha Shake Heartbreak, Kings of Leon have jumped out of the herd mentality of their first release into a sound that they can arguably call their own. Their sound comes from a cycle of 70’s Southern roots coloring 00s hipster influences and vice versa with an implementation on this release that is incredibly tight and well-conceived. Depending on personal taste, the blend of influences may be frustrating at times. There is an opportunity for the Southern raunch to be amplified, but the more contemporary influences dominate the rhythm section on most songs and the leads on some songs as well. Recorded completely live in the studio over a very short session, the album is impressively cohesive and coherent from start to finish. Caleb Followill’s voice may be an acquired taste, but, after a few listens, it becomes an inextricable part of the band’s sound. The lead single, “The Bucket,” is a great rock single and provides an accessible gateway into the more individual sound of the rest of the album. Other standout tracks include “Soft” and “Velvet Snow,” both of which are driven by the kind of Southern boogie choruses that are the band’s strong suit. Already much more popular in the UK than they are in the States and touring in support of U2 in late Spring, Kings of Leon may very well be one of the American rock bands to pay attention to this year.
-joaquin black
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