Reviews (page 6 of 8)
Liked it a fair amount 8/10
Raw like their first album, not quite as good
this kinda sucks ngl
Yeah, okay, perfectly nice but nothing exceptional.
Surely one of the best second albums of all time. It's a pity they suck now
2004 Bill would give this album 5 stars and you know what… 2024 Bill is going to give it 5 stars!
Alles wat ik gezegd heb bij het vorige album kan hier ook bij geplaatst worden, want het is exact hetzelfde album, for all I care. Maar dat was een debuutplaat, dus dan neem je het ze iets minder kwalijk dat ze nog duidelijk naar een eigen sound aan het zoeken zijn. Er heeft geen ontwikkeling plaats gevonden, en de stem van Caleb is nog steeds een doorn in het oog. 'Milk' doet wat anders, en valt dan ook direct op. Dat is wel een aardige song. 5/10 Highlights: Milk
Copy-paste Maar nu zonder FIFA-banger 5,5/10
Leon is ruled by a decent, but not great Monarchial Collective.
Correcto
2.5
Nope
Band is rockin’, but the vocalist…know he can do better bc it comes out sometimes, but most of the time it’s pretty grating
I downloaded this album when it came out, so there's some nostalgia with it, but I still enjoyed most all of it. I get his voice is not great, but it works with this.
It's not often I get turned off a band strictly because I can't stand the singer's voice. I know it's a personal preference, I'm sure tons of people love Caleb Followill's voice, but I can't get past this annoyance and makes it difficult to be objective. I guess it's hard to get rid of the front-man/singer of a band that are all related (brothers/cousin) and because some grumpy amateur critic loathes the singer. It's too bad, because other than that, the music is actually enjoyable and some of the songs have jump with loads of energy and enthusiasm. This could have been a very good listen. Full disclosure, I know the band is hugely popular now, but I hadn't taken the time to actually listen to them, then or now (maybe it's because I heard the word, "christian"), so I have no real previous bias... 3 stars for the album (music), minus 1 for the vocals.
Great album. Been a while since I heard it
This was a good album but I still prefer Only by the Night and if that makes me a basic bitch I guess so be it
Instrumentals are fun to listen to. The vocals, not so much. How can someone be screaming and mumbling at the same time?
Really mixed feelings about this one. I saw these guys a year before this came out, opening for The Strokes. My thought then was that they were just an average opening band, and not even great for that purpose. I saw them again in 2009 at Austin City Limits and was blown away that they had improved greatly, almost to the point of being a different band. You can hear some of the seeds of what would become that better band in this album, but too much of the opening band sound to make it great. If later albums by Kings of Leon are on here, I bet I'll score them higher.
Loud and boring.
Hörbares alternatives Rockalbum ohne große Highlights aber auch ohne musikalische Grausamkeiten. Es ist ist Gitarren geprägter Rock mit experimentellen Elementen und bissigen Texten. Ich wüsste nicht, warum es wiederhörbar wäre?
I don’t know what to tell you, this is a good album. With less overt Country elements than their debut, Aha Shake Heartbreak doubles down on the harder elements of KoL’s sound and perfects their nervy, edgy, indie-inspired take on Southern Rock
Um pouco cansativo e repetitivo, realmente eles melhoraram com o tempo.
I like quite a few of Kings' of Leon songs... but none of the songs on this album were any good! What even was going on with the lyrics on "Taper Jean Girl" and "The Bucket?" The latter was the only song that sounded like the Kings I loved in the mid-aughts.
Liked this more than I expected. They’ll get a little more attention from me going forward.
This was fine
I thought the drum patterns were interesting! But I'm not a fan of this vocal style and couldn't understand the words. I think this genre isn't really for me (kind of like The Strokes, Franz Ferdinand, etc).
1.5, en kestä tuota laulajaa.
I first started paying attention to music reviews/journalism around 2009, when I got a hold of a few issues of Rolling Stone. As such, the 2000isms of this list make a lot of sense to me in the context, for instance, Aha Shake Heartbreak being my 3rd album from the Followills on here. In their 100 greatest albums of the aughts, R.S. rated this one higher than Vespertine, Late Registration & Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, despite all of those having much more general acclaim nowadays. I still remember a cover story in that 'zine dedicated to this band & its members' volatility & alcohol abuse, and I remember thinking 'the "Use Somebody" guys??' Well, the beat-em-up music video for "Four Kicks", the f-bombs & the general raunchiness set the record straight here, in contrast with the slick Only By the Night & the gentler Can We Please Have Fun (not on this generator, it's the album they just dropped this year). Though I may be a Kings of Leon apologist, I didn't take to this album right away. Which is odd, since the logical part of my brain has decided that it's a better-built album than their debut, Youth & Young Manhood. I don't regret the way I listened to it, a city walk on a Sunday morning, though perhaps a relisten in the future with fewer distractions would be valuable. The only song I heard before today is "Taper Jean Girl", which is a decent stomp but I don't find that "haw haw" hook all too compelling. It probably kills when sung live, though. The dogged single-mindedness of Aha is part of what gives it charm, but partly why my brain tuned it out at times. 3.5 HL: "Day Old Blues", "The Bucket", "Four Kicks", "King of the Rodeo" September 22, 2024
Stakk mid album og fortsatte etter en pause, men var ikke noe super bra
good
I think it's fine? Some of it has a good beat but I'm not in love with his voice Cinematic music for sure, I bet it's in movies all over
Actively annoying. 37 minutes was almost too much for me. Was relieved when it ended
I liked this album substantially more than their "Only by the Night" album. This is full of originality and is unique among peers like maybe Jack White. Guitar is tight throughout and drums are right there to match. I don't love all the guitar riffs and some of them border on annoying. I'm of two minds for KOL in terms of the vocals, but I'm inclined to vibe with it more than dislike. It is a very unique sound, and maybe an acquired taste. You can hear those vocals almost isolated and pure on "Milk", an excellent track in its own right.
Can an atheist refer to this album as 'God Awful' ...? These Rockers for Christ seem to have an identity crisis and that singer seems to think he's the second coming of Eddie Vedder. PUH-LEEZE...
“Aha Shake Heartbreak” was Kings of Leon’s second album, and showed signs of musical maturation, but no advancement in lyrical maturation. I love their music. I often don’t love their lyrics. I keep thinking it must come back to their upbringing as the children of a traveling pentecostal preacher, with all the complications of repressed urges in repeated new environments that came with that. Now with their adult freedom accentuated by a rock and roll lifestyle, everything is about sex. About girls they’ve slept with. About girls they want to sleep with. About the girl they slept with who’s lactose intolerant. About the girl they want to sleep with if only they could get their whiskey dick up. “Milk” and “Soft” sound great. But their lyrics are dumb. Their sex probably wound up on fire because of an STI. Gritty garage blues rock - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️; Lyricism - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ or less. A band that could have been so much more.
When the second lyric of the album is "She's 17 but I done went and plum forgot it", I know this is going to be a hard album for me to connect with. I like the sound of Kings of Leon, I even like the way Caleb Followill's voice breaks. I just think they need better lyrics.
Maybe I’m a Kings Of Leon fan now. The vibes are locked in 💯. The music is really really good. As noted in my Youth And Young Manhood review, dude is still mumbling here but I don’t mind.
I can’t believe this album is now 20 years old!! I used to love this, so I am looking forward to giving it another listen, its been a long time. Slow night, so long is great. Its the KOL era I know and love before the haircuts and pop. KOL should have stayed this way. Its a good album, nothing more than a 3/5 Favourite song: King of the rodeo and Bucket Least favourite: Milk Album artwork: Cool cover
This is a good album, but out of their first 4 this is their weakest. I’m still going to give 4 though
2 stars. boring.
Hmm :/
meh. Nothing stood out, except for "Milk", which was awesome. Otherwise was pretty disappointed by my first real listen to Kings of Leon
This was utter garbage. This took place prior to the album that garnered them their career (Only By the Night). This album was terrible. No fucking idea what the singer said in the 38 minute runtime of this album. He just mumbled stuff about getting banged as far as I know. Absolute pinnacle of indie garbage Favourite songs: Pistol of Fire Least favourite songs: Milk 2/5
Skil ekki hvað þessi plata er að gera á þessum lista. Hún er mjög anticlimatic m.v. flest annað frá bandinu.
Kings of Leon had 3 albums on this list at one point, now they have none. That kind of says it all, it was fine at the time, but turns out they made no real impact and don’t really have much legacy.
Bluesier than I expected. Not as good as the album from a few days ago.
Nahhhh
First track made me think of this bit from Bad News - Hey Mr Bassman/Hey Mr Drummer: Vim: Er... You know that really fucking moronic bass run you do? Colin: Which one? Vim: It goes "ba-da-da-da ba-da-da-da duh duh duh duh"... Colin: Yeessss... Vim: Do you think you could liven up a bit? Give it a bit more? What I mean is...you can slide off the end of those notes...the second and the fourth one... […] It goes, "da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da DUUHHH! Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da DUUUHHHH!" And you can slide your finger down the fretboard. Colin: Yeah, but I've got a cut. Vim: (sighs) Can you use another finger? Colin: Well, I'll try, but it might mean using a different string.
This is just grating. Singer is unbelievably annoying. I don’t know what this album is supposed to be. It all feels derivative.
Much like the last Kings of Leon album I got on here, I don't really get it. This sounds like a mid-00s rock album, but so far as I know it's not the first album to sound like this. It feels like they're doing a Strokes impression. Other times, they're doing an impression of a band I like even less. 3/5 It's fine, but not impressive
Listened to earlier in the day and had mostly forgotten by the afternoon. Well executed for me, generic and forgettable.
An album that made me so viscerally angry I was compelled to actually write something in this space.
I never liked this band. This album sucks. The vocals are not good.
I was surprised that I kinda liked it
I'm a bit conflicted on this one. There are some songs I really like but I also found myself being ready for the album to end (and it's a short album). I don't think the vocals hold up to present day and sound dated. It's fine. 2.75/5 (5.5/10)
Love it. I only knew them from their boring arena-pop. Turns out they once wanted to do more than just sell tickets to sheep.
I don’t feel any way about this one way or the other.
Fav: Taper Jean Girl Least Fav: King Of The Rodeo Yeah, that singing is just not very good
Had some decent songs in it, but as a whole this was MID. Only positive thing going for this was the production everything else was subpar. This album has no business being on this list. Best - Taper Jean Girl and The Bucket Worst - Milk, Soft, Razz, and Four Kicks 2.50/5
I wasn’t familiar with any of these songs but it was a decent 00’s American rock album
I fell asleep :/
It was OK. Music was good, vocals questionable. Average. Not great, not awful
Voice of high complaint Whining through so so album Glad it’s not catchy
Ok album, not their best in my opinion
5/.5
Every album starts out as a 3, then it's up or down from there. This one just sat there.
I rated their previous album (youth and young manhood) a 2 and called it mediocre and this is actually slightly better so it should be a 2.5, but we don’t have .5 here so I need to decide if it gets bumped up to a 3 🤔
I like Kings of Leon...especially early Kings of Leon. I found the songs catchy, with a good sense of melody. I like the dynamics and I especially like the vocals which I find raw and quite unique. This album continues what I had heard on Youth and Young Manhood adding a level of refinement that points to there evolution to come into arena rock stalwarts. 3.5 stars seems about right
Listening to a third Kings of Leon album has not changed my taste for this band. I'm just not interested on any level.
We’ve had too many Kings of Leon albums on here, this one made no sense in its inclusion.
Woof. Kings of Leon beyond the one album with the hits is like that old joke about reading Playboy for the articles. Who gives a shit? Apparently the guy who made this list, and I don't know why. Look, it's not like they're bad at music, they're just....Kings of Leon. The kind of music playing in the airport as you're hustling to the terminal, it doesn't even register with you that music was playing. Been loving the phrase "nothing burger" lately, that's what this is. Favorite tracks: Pistol of Fire, Soft. Album art: Looks like an homage to that Queen album cover, Night at the Opera, except it's, what, some kind of mix between a flower and an animal skull? No idea, I'll forget it about this as quick as I've forgotten about the music. 2.5/5
This is a good illustration of how tastes change - I used to quite like this album, but I find it a mostly tiresome listen now. Most of that is due to the singer's voice, which is really irritating. The music itself isn't too bad; some pretty strong songs, vocals excepted.
God, wat mis ik die old school Kings of Leon sound! Ik dacht niet dat er iemand was die dat daadwerkelijk dacht, maar blijkbaar had ik dan buiten de schrijver van de 1001 album boeken gerekend! Een nummer als Milk is mooi, omdat het heel klein is. Als je dan het nummer daarna pakt, dan hoor je meteen weer de 'signature' sound van Kings of Leon; de hele grote bombastische rock. Ik word daar gewoon niet zo warm van, vind de zanger ook niet super sterk is die nummers, waar ik Milk kan waarderen omdat het zo klein en pijnlijk is. Dan kan die zanger lekker jankend eroverheen, daar is die stem echt perfect voor! Waar zijn stem niet perfect voor is? Soft. Das echt gewoon herrie, gadverdamme zeg. Totaal: niet echt een boeiend album, Kings of Leon is voor mij toch altijd een beetje meh, weinig bijzonder en ik kan me niet voorstellen dat mijn leven nu verrijkt is door het luisteren van dit album. FAVO: Milk
Love it
meh
This is pretty good, it does all sound a little bit samey but I think it's short and sweet enough to not bring the quality down too much. It doesn't get higher than 3 stars however, as the only standout song was "The Bucket"... and my dad would kill me if I scored this album lower, he loves these guys.
"Aha Shake Heartbreak" von Kings of Leon ist ein kraftvolles und energiegeladenes Album, das den rauen Southern Rock der Band mit einer gewissen Melancholie und jugendlicher Rebellion kombiniert. Die Songs sind geprägt von eingängigen Gitarrenriffs, dynamischen Rhythmen und der markanten Stimme von Caleb Followill. Textlich befasst sich das Album mit Themen wie Herzschmerz, Verlangen und dem Leben in der schnelllebigen Rockszene. Es fängt den ungeschliffenen, authentischen Sound der frühen 2000er-Jahre ein und bleibt ein Meilenstein in der Karriere der Band.
referaattia: ''pitkätukkaset, paskiaiset. tietää että rämputtaa kitaraa, koko kädellä. ylhäältä alas rämp rämp rämp rämp rämp.. ei mitään finessiä, koska taitoa ei löydy. leikkaa lettisi, saatanan anglikaani... ja mussutuslaulua, mussuttaa samalla kun laulaa.. MITÄ HELVETTIÄ? onneksi nykyään miehet on miehiä... eikä mitään tollasia. olen kuullut bändistä aikaisemminkin. odotuksena tuuri juuri sitä mitä odotin, paskaa. tältä kuulostaa paskat rolling stones albumit, varmaan paras kings of leon albumi'' taper jean girl
RKS
Definitely something I'd listen to again
Ok
Nice enough.
It‘s not their time anymore
Remember when they did actual good songs
Always great to get a reminder of why a massive band became massive in the first place
4.0
Nice enough. It does sound “southern”.
Got a soft spot for this one. I actually really like Caleb's voice and it's my wife's favourite band so gotta give em a 5.
Better than I expected but I didn't expect much. Good energy and not as generic as output post their Sex is on Fire album whatever that is called.
Very good! Excellent rock album from 2000s. Still sounds fresh even after 20 years!
Another banger of an album from Kings of Leon. Peeters off a bit towards the end though
Ah the soundtrack of my 23rd summer. Holds up pretty well I think.
Meh
I think they might have a really good energy if I saw them live but this was all a bit samey for me. They’re distinctive but not something I’d think of ever putting on by choice. I tap my toes and dance when their singles come on the radio or at a party but I’m not on it for the long haul.
Another frustrating addition to this list. I have had this album in my collection since it came out. This is definitely their sophomore slump album. If you like the raw energy on this but were underwhelmed by the songs, definitely check out their first record Youth & Young Manhood. They got more polished and produced after this (hard to believe it's the same band on singles like "Sex on Fire"). Agree with the low ratings on this but don't write them off completely.
I was intrigued to listen to this as I'm familiar with the band's name and have heard some tracks but never really explored anything beyond that. Now that I have, I'm underwhelmed. The singer's got an affectation — or maybe just a natural singing style — that I couldn't warm up to. The music was just fine, but somehow never engaged me. 2 stars is harsh, it's not terrible music, but I would actively change the station if something came on by these guys — I find them mildly irritating — so I can't get to a 3. And what a crap album title.
I expected to hate this. I didn't hate this. Reminded me a bit of The Stooges, though not as good. Also, I don't think I understood a single word dudebro was saying. Still, I dug its ramshackle energy. Terrible cover for the music, though.
This was hard to listen to. Like physically hard because I couldn't understand the speak singing/aka mumbling. Sylvia and I listened together to this one and both of us were not pleased.
Nicht meine Richtung
It isn't hard to imagine the person who hates this guy's voice, but it's unique and well-used. Musically, it's interesting never gets stagnant.
She saw my comb over her hourglass body She had problems with drinking milk and being school tardy She'll lend you her toothbrush, She'll bartend your party
Not for me
Great instrumentation, some really solid songwriting, and one if the worst vocalists I’ve heard in my life. Cannot get over how terrible he sounds. Not a fan. I’d love this album if they had someone else…🫤
I’ve heard this album before listening to it now, and it stays as a catchy and very accessible album. Just not the highest caliber album I’ve heard.
A band with no original ideas and a tone-deaf singer who sounds like he can only speak beginner level English walk into a studio, pick up an instrument at random, and say to each other, “Hey dudez! What if we added this to the song?” And then they did that with everything in the studio, for no apparent reason, for 37 excruciating minutes. Like, yeah, I could’ve guessed these motherfuckers were home-schooled. They sound arrogant as fuck about their basic level of musical proficiency and generally annoying as hell. A waste of my time.
Oh look, the album cover has a vagina flower. I have this on CD somewhere and actually quite like it. Odd accent aside, this has mostly good vibes and gets you into it.
I dated a girl that tried to convince me the Kings of Leon were actually good. I don't think I've ever actually gotten through an entire song without my eyes glazing over. It's not that it's bad, it's just that it's so incredibly mediocre. I'd actually rather it was bad so you could say they suck. Instead they just exist.
Like other listeners have noted, the singing is pretty poor
First thought - why is he singing like that? Instrumentals sound great mostly, the singing is just terrible and very distracting. I also did not really enjoy any of the songs in full. 2. [I called this a 2.5/3 before? being wayyy too generous]
Kings of Leon before they sold out and went stadium rock. Good ratio of catchy tunes here.
Back before they were totally shit
This is the band to make you question the generator including albums that were removed from the book---three albums in the book and ALL THREE have been removed. 💀
I’ve never really understood how Kings Of Leon got so big. I can recognise that the music is generally decent, but I find the vocals to be so grating. I know I’m likely in the minority here, but to me he has one of the worst voices in rock music. You can understand my lack of enthusiasm for this album. To give credit where it is due, I did quite enjoy The Bucket. I never realised that was by this band, but on listening it is quite obvious. Aside from this, I could quite happily not listen to this album again.
Where did it all go wrong? This was a great start to their career, but I can't hear it in isolation from all of the subsequent albums now. Was fun at the time - sounds dated now.
I wanted to really dislike this. I can be such a musical snob. It threatened to keep my interest, but then descended into 70's cock rock. There's not a lot of invention taking place. Ideas are lacking, guitar solos drag on. Oh well.
This was really bad. The music isn’t bad, but the singing is honestly some of the worst I’ve ever heard. This predates Kings of Leon at their peak, and even their peak kinda sucks.
The albums just fine, but how did this make the cut to this list. It just…was. 2/5 stars
The peak kings of Leon
Nothing special. Nothing unlistenable. Just another ho hum average album of decent music that didn’t need to be here.
kind of a tough album to rate because his voice kinda sucks but it also really works with most of the songs so we’ll go 4. good album but no songs stood out
Not for me 2/5
This is my favourite KoL album, I think KoL early albums are very underrated, this is clearly offset by how overrated sex on fire and use somebody are, I can see why they get a lot of hate. But I think this is the one album you should listen to to get what KoL were about before having a go at arena rock, it’s not a masterpiece but a soild 4/5 album.
Good stuff. Bluesy rock always hits the right spot.
ehhh
I’d say this album aged poorly, but there’s just no way people didn’t see a ton of red flags with this album on release, both lyrically and sonically. When I can’t understand the lyrics, I just hear grating babble. When I can understand the lyrics, most of the time I end up wishing I didn’t. Multiple kings of Leon albums on this list are an affront to the dedicated listeners time
This might've gotten 5 stars if they had decided on a different lead singer. Sheesh.
Not my vibe.
This is good pop rock that makes you tap your feet but doesn't really stay with you. I'd have had a few KOL in my time and would have jumped around like an idiot after a number beers to these tracks and so it was a nice trip down memory lane, but the fact that I haven't listened to them in 15 years tell you how valuable this probably is. 3.5 stars rounded down.
Quirky, but energetic.
Could be the nostalgia talking but this still sounds pretty good to me. I actually think their third album is better but if you were to listen to just one KoL record before you die Aha Shake Heartbreak is also a good option. Raucous tails of debauchery (presumably - Caleb tended not to enunciate properly in those days) set mostly to southern fried rock’n’roll but with some pensive interludes. I agree with the school of thought that says Jared was the band’s secret weapon - a lot of the most inventive, melodic hooks are his basslines.
Its fine. Good for night out at a wannabe cowboy bar
Meh
I've always struggled with Kings of Leon outside of their more popular stuff. I struggled a lot with this album at times, the music just sounds disjointed to my ears. There are also some enjoyable moments, there is musical talent but I just cannot get into it.
I like their style on most songs, but their singer gets on my nerves. I didn't really like Milk and Rememo. The best one was probably Velvet Snow.
OK, but repetitive
Un asco
3+ Hyvää perusrokettirollia, aksentista pieni plussa.
It's really boring and uninteresting.
Favorite Track: Taper Jean Girl
Luckily they got better
Not bad. Jeg havde forventet lidt mere fest og farver, men en stabil levering af Kings og Leon.
Første plus er spille længden. Første minus er den føles ihvertfald 10 minutter for lang! Jeg bryder mig virkelig ikke om den måde der bliver sunget på. Uendelig doven, og mumlende, og på trods af at jeg ikke kan høre halvdelen, så er jeg ikke i tvivl om hvor frustreret liderlig han er... - Gik ind til det med minder om en klar 1er, kommer ud med en overrasket 2er.
Det var meget mere eksperimenterende og interessant end jeg havde forventet fra Kings of Leon. Ikke sidste gang jeg hører det album
Aight
Lots of growth here over Youth & Young Manhood. They're most of the way to what they would become on Only by the Night...but not quite. This is a good album, but the pieces weren't quite fitting yet. And the audio mix sucks. I mean, you can hear everything; but the vocals (and sometimes the drums) are so much louder than the rest of the tracks. It's pretty grating.
For what it is, it's very good. No technical notes but I like the overall vibe. Even though I wouldn't say the vocalist is a particularly good singer, he perfectly matches the energy of the album. I also like his weird accent. Also, it's not very important but I appreciate when the band and the album have cool names. Aha Shake Heartbreak by the Kings of Leon just sounds like it'll be good even if you've never heard of them.
The singer has a way with words and by that I mean I don’t know if he knows how words are pronounced. Jokes aside they have an addictive sound that borders on folk rock with a bit heavy rock. I’ve never heard this album and only know them from their super popular album but I see that they had fame even before that. Funny though that I enjoyed basically every song that was in the million view range on this album and didn’t really like the popular ones. 8/10
Not gonna lie, not a bad album. Has some fast stuff, rock in it. Didn't stand out to me but was pretty energetic and they didn't have it too long.
Blurggh. mid wash of middle of the road tat. do one
I find it crazy that there were 3 Kings of Leon albums originally in the book editions, and then crazier they removed them. Their music is so bland I really don't understand why they're on this list at all.
I can imagine them scratching their chins around a big whiteboard trying to concoct the world's most obnoxious album. "No no, the part in song 3 at 2:37 isn't obnoxious enough, we need to redo that!"
Bar band music. A few deviations.
Not a great album by not a great band
Not much here to be honest. Probably a good band to see live in a small club. High energy nonsense. Drumming is pretty good
not the biggest fan
Day145 - back to back kings of leon seems like a cruel joke. there’s thousands of artists and these goobers get at least 2 albums on this list
To my ears this is a fairly ordinary collection of rock songs not distinguished by the vocalist, whose style I couldn't take to
Cool sounds, then grzhzhzhhzhhhh
Making me listen to 2 kings of Leon albums seems like punishment but I'm not sure what I did wrong
Probably not the absolute best Kings of Leon album, but it's alright. There's a couple pretty solid tracks. My problem is KoL tries to take itself WAY too seriously sometimes. It's a rock band, it's not that philosophical. The middle section of this album just tries too hard.
Ass ass ass ass, worse and worse with each song
This was decent. Didn't really sound like any of the radio singles which I know Kings of Leon for, which is good as I've never really been a fan of what I've heard on the radio. I would give this another listen in the future; seems like one that will grow on me.
Liked this. I heard this band was bad, but this album is quite good. I listened to a bit of their other albums and it seems this is the only one that's for me though. 3.75/5
This is better than their big pop hits I guess, a little funk, but still sounds like crap to me. D
their first and only good album
Yes.
Teenagers in a shitty garage part 2
Aha Shake Heartbreak I liked KOLs first album a lot and I liked The Bucket, when it came out and I’m pretty sure I had this album too (although listening to it now I can’t remember any of it), but I think I lost interest around that time. All the elements are there for something I should like - southern rock style guitars, garagey drums, but apart from the run of King of the Rodeo, Taper Jean Girl and Pistol of Fire, andThe Bucket its generally a bit nondescript. It’s not objectively bad it’s just not as good as you feel it should be and kind of passes by without anything to make you sit up and notice. Whether it’s the strength of the songs or a general lack of energy I’m not sure. I do like Ethan John’s production in general and I like the sound of the album, the guitars have a nice tone and I really like the drum sound and its place in the mix. So overall a handful of good songs and a nice sound, but in the main pretty forgettable but fine. I think that makes a 3, a 2 feels a bit low. ⭐⭐⭐️
i hate this
Interesting album cover... Made it halfway thru the 5th song and just could not continue.
Tempted to call them "mid", but that'd be a cowardly way to avoid saying they suck. Aggressively, insultingly boring.
Couple good songs and a bit boring.
Why couldn't they just keep making them like this?
I'm one of those sickos who doesn't mind the song Sex on Fire, but I completely understand why it seems to be the bane of those listening to rock radio in the mid-2000s. However, this seems to be a bit more bluesy, and while that isn't usually my cup of tea, this has a similarity to other garage rock acts of the 2000s such as the Strokes where I actually enjoy it a little bit. His voice takes some adjusting, but the grooves are all accounted for, and while it can be repetitive, no song is ever with you for more than four minutes, so it flies by. This is an album I can appreciate just for its respect of the listeners time and energy level. I wouldn't say it has something for everyone, but it seems just safe enough to be cool, Summer vibes, and I can vibe along with it.
I only knew their 2 big hits before this, and its nothing like those. Enjoyed them way more than I thought i would. Sounds to me like a mix of strokes meets ac/dc (at least on vocals) meets arctic monkeys or something.
Al principio no me gustó por ser un rock bien básico de los 00's. Pero después se metieron 5 temas a la playlist con un buen nivel individualmente.
I like Kings of Leon but this album is just so so
Are kings of Leon good enough to have two albums in this list? Not sure
Insufferable singing voice
Vocals were pretty tough to listen to. Instrumentals were fine.
Solid garage rock album. Nothing too sophisticated or groundbreaking. Just solid rock songs with good hooks. Definitely more genuine than some of their later work.
The singing is the weakest part of an otherwise solid alt rock record that has strong hints of garage rock and southern revival. Album is at it's best when it's upbeat and harder-driving than when it's more calm and slowed down. Standouts are "Taper Jean Girl", the musically interesting "Razz" and "Four Kicks".
2/5. Some fun rock songs and I appreciate the energy, kind of nonchalant and young, with silly lyrics. This works in their favor a little but the amateur songwriting gets old fast. This belongs on a college campus until they are able to better hone their skills. There is potential but not right now. Best Song: Slow Night So Long, The Bucket, Four Kicks
Musically, I was surprised. Lyrically, I was not
IDK the other KoL album but it has Sex on Fire & Use Somebody so I just assumed that was the better one, but this album wasnt that bad actually. It definitely started out hot and sizzled by the end
Takes me back to my youth. Right in their pomp.
A two star album feat. The Bucket.
This is the third album by KOL I’ve been fed in two weeks and it’s got me channelling my inner Jeff Winger. “Oh, OK, they’re KOL now? We need a shorthand for Kings of Leon. That’s how fundamental they are”. This is fine. Like the others. Decidedly not essential.
Not as big of a fan of this one as the album prior to this but still a good listen for me
I’ve always kinda liked their two hit singles from 2008 and this is pretty well-made on a technical level, but wow do I not like it. Very sludgy. What is the lead singer doing. Best song: Slow Night, So Long
Ghastly.
This is good stuff. Peak 90's guitar rock, but with a kick ass blues rock rhythm section. I enjoy it every time.
Didn't feel too strongly one way or another about this one.
Another album that even when I tried to actively listen it didn't really grab me
Pretty mediocre kings of leon album imo
I’d only ever heard the big songs off this before when hearing KoL was unavoidable whether you wanted to hear them or not. I didn’t then and I still dont really want to now. Its decent an all that, but its all a bit self indulgent for something that lacks anything special or intricate. Quite a few skippable songs and many of the ones that arent skippable dont get much more than a shrug of the shoulders from me. The vocals border on the ridiculous at times. They’re a lot better than their ‘landfill indie’ peers of the time though and there are some good moments often just lacking something (more often than not, the removal of the vocals). Four Kicks still sounds good. 2.5
This appears to be the album halfway between the proper southern rock version of Kings of Leon and the serviceable if underwhelming indie band they were to become. Some great songs on this, mostly the rockier ones, particularly four kicks. Quite a few were fairly standard though, seems like they'd started to emulate all the bands they were touring with. It's very listenable but it's no youth and young manhood. 3.5 but closer to 3.
Found it quite hard to form an opinion on this. The Bucket is a good song. Pretty middle-of-the-road modern rock. I don't think it is as good as their first album, or when they hit their peak Sex on Fire time.
Thought this was a fairly decent but standard rock album. It goes by so quickly I almost forgot I played it. Doesn't do anything that is going to blow your socks off but was worth a listen. Highlights: The Bucket Razz Four Kicks
I remember being really into their first album when it came out. Was completely different to anything coming out at the time. But they fell off my radar subsequently and not listened to them since, side from their huge hits obviously. I haven't listened to that first album in years, but my memory of it is that it was much better than this. I didn't mind this really, but aside from the hits, nothing really grabbed me. Even here they seemed to be ditching what made them interesting in exchange for what would be popular. 3.5 but 3 is fair I think
This is why KoL are held in such high regard. It was consistently downhill a couple of albums later.
talented group of musicians but no identity.
I wanted to like this, but it mostly is just slightly off to be a good song for me.
i’m sure if kings of leon became a great band this would be appreciated as a precursor to that but unfortunately it’s one of many examples of the proposition that siblings shouldn’t have a band. yes, there are notable exceptions to that rule, but this isn’t one. some of the more creatively star wars creature esque pronunciations i’ve heard
I'm sorry, but I honestly have no idea what critics see in Kings of Leon. This is a third album on this list, and it's hard to recognise how it is different from the other ones. The vocal is as annoying as ever, and the music is just systematically average. Hopefully that's the last time I have to listen to their record.
Кайнда найс. Дравово прикольно хайпово. Но особо не моё.
4.4 - Love this album and have always thought it was great. Not sure why they tailed off
Not going to win any cool points here, but I think this is a really quite good album. I remember renting it from the library and ripping it to my computer and then listening to King of the Rodeo on repeat. I just can't fight it, its so hard not to singalong to The Bucket. Fave Tracks: Slow Night So Long, King of the Rodeo, The Bucket, Day Old Blues, Four Kicks 4.2/5
Whiny
Is this guy speaking another language? No idea but I still dig it.
Inoffensive mid-2000s rock. Absolutely understand how it influenced other groups and how important this group is, but nothing to write home about.
Back when Kings of Leon were dirty and fun!
For a few years Kings of Leon were one of the most interesting US bands. Aha Shake Heartbreak is gritty, fast and fun - and Followill (the lead singing one) is a powerhouse whose distinct vocal is enough in itself to make them stand out from the crowd.
I went through a big KOL phase so this album has lots of nostalgia for me, but, it is forgettable.
Genuinely surprised that there are multiple Kings of Leon albums on this list. They only really hit with one album, and it wasn't until a few years after this one was released. I remember liking their debut when I listened to it from this list. It was very raw, and this one is definitely more polished. I generally enjoy the indie-garage-revival albums of the 2000s and I generally enjoyed this listen. There were some stinkers but overall it was decent. There were some polished acoustic-based tracks on here which I enjoyed. Highlights: Milk, The Bucket
Glad this made the list over Galaxie 500, Yo La Tengo & the Cranberries.
In 2004 I did not mind the vocals so much, as most of the songs sounded fresh at the time but that was then. Also: the album collapses after the 8th song or so. score in 2004: 8/10 score in 2024: 3/10
Still liking the energy and southern twang, but some of the songs fall a little short to deserve full marks.
Perfect combination of edgy songs, a raw sound and charismatic vocals.
I like Kings of Leon. Haven't listened to them in a while. At some point a lot of their music starts sounding the same.
I really enjoyed reading the lyrics as I was listening!
well, that sure was an album.
man, i don't know what to make of this album. it's just really, really, really not good. i like other kings of leon songs and thought they were decent overall but this album does not have It. first of all, the lead singer has THE most incomprehensible voice singing some absolutely baffling lyrics. he's got marble mouth something fierce. i had to pull up the lyrics to confirm that he was, in fact, saying the girl would lend him her toothbrush. day old blues has the most annoying and repetitive vocals of maybe any track I've listened to in the last 200 albums I've generated from this list. when four kicks started, i legitimately thought he was just yelling gibberish sounds. completely perplexing stuff. i guess it's ok as background music if you're really not focusing on it, but if you are it's enough to drive anyone mad. i don't give out a lot of 1-star reviews here (i mostly save those for the sex offenders with truly garbage albums) but this one comes reeeeeally close for me. favorites: the bucket
"Aha Shake Heartbreak" by Kings of Leon is a raw and energetic album that captures the essence of indie rock with a Southern twist. Released in 2004, the album features a mix of gritty guitars, driving rhythms, and frontman Caleb Followill's distinctive vocals. Tracks like "The Bucket," "Four Kicks," and "King of the Rodeo" showcase the band's signature sound, blending garage rock with elements of Southern rock and blues. The lyrics are often introspective and poetic, reflecting on themes of youth, love, and identity. While "Aha Shake Heartbreak" may lack the polish of later Kings of Leon albums, its rough edges and unbridled energy make it a standout in the band's discography.
Best Song: Soft. My favourite vocal performance of the album, particularly as he starts to unwind towards the end of the track. Worst Song: Day Old Blues. I just don't think their musical aptitudes suit this soft-sad ballad. Overall: I can't help but respect how much they've carved out their own little niche with this album. Previously, I was only familiar with Kings of Leon's megahits and wrongly assumed that kind of overwrought dramatism was their M.O. Colour me pleased to find out that they have a rawer, more indie-rock vibe. In particular, I really like how they weren't afraid to use unusual vocal rhythms and melodies.
The strokes if they were 4 brothers from the countryside instead of 5 wealthy new yorkers. Jokes aside I think it's a pretty good and short description of what I've just heard. Solid instrumentals, the bass is pretty good and the guitar is a big hit or miss (It really works in songs like Soft for example, but is pretty forgettable in a lot of them). The vocals aren't exactly the best (Since I've already compared them to The Strokes I'm going to do it one more time and say that they'd probably have been great vocals if recorded on a saturated mic just like The Strokes did) and they really damage my view on this record, as the instrumentals are pretty good, so I'm going with a 2. Best song was Razz. Worst song was Milk (Ofc the weakest song would be the one that relies the most on vocals) and I'm going to give a special mention to day old blues.
classic, one of my favorites, resonates with my mid 20s and a fun time in my life
Solid but not life changing. Their first album is better.
Not a fan.
3 sterren voor de stem van de zanger waar ik nog steeds een zwak voor heb. Verder niet echt vernieuwend.
I had heard of the Kings of Leon, but never really heard their work. My feelings on this album are mixed. I thought some of the music was very clever, but the vocals and lyrics were a bit much for me. I thought that, at times, they were trying too hard to sound cool or something and didn't have a natural feel. Instead of just enjoying the music, the performance would pull me out of the music and I was thinking about how he was singing and not what he was singing. I will probably try to listen to listen to some of their other work and see how I like it. Maybe they will calm down in later efforts.
Guay, agradable.
What a shocker. These guys annoyed the fuck out of me and anyone who was anti-pop rock top 40 in the early part of this century. Who knew that had produced such a complete and concise product in their early years? One that stays fresh for the duration and kept surprising as we listen...?
(I changed my mind about the rating of this album while writing this.) This is only a 2 and not a 1 because I didn’t really think about it after finishing. I usually have a specific reason if I give an album a 1, and if I did give this a 1 it would be because of the extremely annoying vocals. I was vaguely aware of Kings of Leon before listening to this and was extremely annoyed about a song into the album by the vocals. This doesn’t even have any of their most famous songs. Why is this album here? OK, I think I convinced myself into giving this a 1.
Slow Night, So Long // The Bucket //
I don’t understand the complaints about Caleb’s singing He’s like a horny early rockier Michael Stipe But then my 2nd born is called Caleb Was the world crying out for the 2nd KoL album to be this good? No it wasn’t. Was the 2nd KoL album banger after banger? Yes it was
I like KOL but this is a little out of place on this list, it's a solid indie rock album but not ground breaking. Still it's a genre I enjoy and has some tracks that give me a nostalgic vibe, so 3 stars
something something
ok
Couple bangers, couple sleepers, couple snoozers. Nostalgic for me but not entirely in a good way. 3.6/5
In general I like the garage rock revival bands from the early 2000s. KOL has 3 brothers, sons of a preacher, which makes it more interesting as a group. The music here is much more interesting than the vocals. I don’t mind when vocals are difficult to understand, as long as they add a layer of complexity or mystery to the overall composition. But these vocals nearly overwhelm the songs with what sounds like drunk Cajun extras from “The Waterboy.” Music 4, vocals 2, overall 3.
Decent. Fine, but not compelling enough to make me curious about what their other albums sound like.
This one surprised me. I didn’t exactly love it, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I’d heard KOL compared to The Strokes, and I thought that was a crazy comparison based on the monster hits Use Somebody and Help, My Sex is On Fire!!! But this sounded very much like a Southern Strokes. Not sure if I needed that but it’s definitely better than Somebody Use My Flaming Sex.
Pretty OK
Lead singers voice is up there with Bob Dylan for the most hearing voice. Peaced out at track 2
This could be better if dude wasn’t completely unintelligible.
Pretty damn food stuff. Wasn’t expecting to enjoy this
please juste stop it 4/10
I was expecting all sex on fire and stuff but got prosaic and limp like gear.
Moments of quite ok listenableness. Not really a fan of KOL.
I can’t lie, I enjoyed this album quite a bit. Sometimes you’re just in the mood for some nice tunes!
Bättre än de andra kings of leon albumet
This wasn't as bad as I was expecting, although the last track was genuinely awful.
didn't really stand out. 2.7/5 listened 2x
How is this band on here (at least) 3 times? This has to be the worst of the 3. Please no more. This shit is so dull I can't take it.
smooth. 3.8
2.5
pretty blase indie rock with a comically annoying singer. blah blah blah all the songs blend together. there's a weird soft mushy quality to each song like they recorded this in a mattress store. 1.5/5
I find this band very hard to get excited about. What's the deal ?
After the first couple a songs this starts to wear really thin... its as if they want to be what the Strokes are but lack that genuine aloof swagger and intricate and accomplished musical precision that make the Strokes fun to appreciate on repeated listens.
Really really liked it, good stuff
I’ve never really been to impressed with this band. They’re definitely one of many bands that were commercially successful and signed to major labels, but tried to disguise themselves as a cool edgy indie rock band. Compared to other bands that were around during this time, Kings of Leon is just so watered down, saturated, and polished where it’s hard to tell them apart from any other commercially successful bands from the time period who where all running with the same sound.
offensively mediocre.
Singer is terrible. Band is ok. A solid 2.
Meh. Not real big on the vocal style. 2.7
Favourite tracks: taper jean girl; king of the rodeo; the bucket; four kicks
It was okay
Un album sorti à une époque où le sexe de Kings of Leon était encore loin de flamber. Il était même d'après certaines sources plutôt ennuyeux voire pantouflard.
Lisse et sans intérêt, comme d'hab avec nos super potes des Kings of Leon
I don’t quite understand why these guys got as popular as they did. I guess they just seemed to hit the right pulse at the right time, and to me these guys fill the same niche as Creed or Imagine Dragons. But unlike Creed or Imagine Dragons, Kings of Leon don’t seem to be a band that people love to hate, although I feel like they should be. I never really got into Kings of Leon. I’d groan when “Sex on Fire” or “Use Somebody” came on the radio, I can’t stand those songs. Aha Shake Heartbreak released before the album containing those hits, and frankly it this album is much better than Only by the Night and anything KoL have done since then (at least among things I’ve listened to). Although “The Bucket” is just as groan worthy. And gosh, while I’m listening to some of these songs for the first time in 15 years, some of them are garbage. Side note: I didn’t think these guys were actual brothers, for a while I thought they were doing a shtick like the Ramones because they don’t really look alike to me.
Confirmed what I remember that there are several good songs but his high pitch vocals on this album leave me cold. However that new single 'Mustang' is a belter
Taper Jean Girl apparently has explicit lyrics? I'm not sure I got it. Then there's the implicit lyrics... Anyway, this song also carries the title of the album, which I don't really understand. It's got good energy, distinctive sound. Overall pretty decent. Even without any bona fide hits.
Overall it is just kinda fine alternative rock, with a bit of a southern flare. I'll give them credit for varying up their sound a bit from track to track. My biggest hangup is the lead singer's delivery... his refrain on Day Old Blues is a good example of the style that quickly becomes irritating to me. Still there are some strong tracks like Four Kicks and The Bucket
Cannot stand the singer's voice. I've liked an occasional Kings of Leon song, but I can't handle a full album without getting annoyed.
Ive heard of Kings of Leon before and a couple of their bigger hits otherwise I was unfamiliar with their music. This was a bit of a disappointment for a first impression. I’d still listen to their other stuff and give it a chance.
Are you shitting me. Why? What possible reason is this here? The two singles are okay in a nostalgia for mid aughts indie discos, but this is dryyyyy
Varied between kick ass to great to watered down Faith No More to "Why isn't this band at least as big as the Foo Fighters" to thinking the vocalist was doing a bad Bon Scott imitation. Multiple gems here, but you have to kiss a lot of frogs.
Solid, if unspectacular, country and folk influenced southern rock. Not as urgent as their debut, and not as immediate as the follow up, but a fun, catchy, raucous and perhaps slightly overlooked work. A very solid 4 🌟 in my book!
God I hate this voice. Sorry I guess since it's not his fault. Now I feel guilty for judging this guy for his shit grating voice. Dammit!
Always underwhelmed by Kings of Leon as much as I try to like them and understand that they ought to appeal to me by basis of some overlapping interests. In addition to being kings of the lukewarm song, this record has songs that actively put me off. Primarily it's the lyrics and their delivery that do it (sack the singer!), but some of the music too. Rating it 1.5 stars though I'm going to round up for a couple of the guitar solos.
Decent but easily forgetable album
I hate this singer so much. He’s just an annoying singer. Like Only By The Night, but without the hits so there’s not even a ‘famous’ factor at play. And there’s one more! Why?
Always enjoy KOL. Good groove.
Good! One star off for swears.
Omi nam
Classic
I love Kings Of Leon.. this is kinda an older stranger one
This was meh
Meh
A series of bluesy garage revival tracks at the height of their fame. They've matured since their previous records with a more confident sound, yet they don't "sell out" with the over-the-top pop production of their later albums. Thus, this is them at their most genuine and consistent. It starts off with a strong first half with many great hits. Only forgettable track is "Pistol of Fire". Unfortunately, the second half takes a big hit. Besides the highlights like "Four Kicks", most of it were decent at best. I was thankful it was only 37 minutes cause I couldn't imagine sticking around much longer. They aren't bad songs, which is why I'm still giving it a 4, but it's unremarkable.
At least it doesn't have that garbage "sex is on fire" song on it.
Not sure why this made the list over Only By The Night. Not their best work but I can't complain.
It's good, but not my cup of tea. I prefer the newer KOL (Blasphemy, I know)
It was pretty good (better than I expected) 3.5 Definitely enjoyed it
Fun but so mid. Why tf is it on this list?
I liked it! Not quite a 4 but not too far off. Some songs i liked quite a bit
They obviously had a unique sound, but this is just so basic, like someone took The Strokes and aged them by about 30 years and made them much more boring. And The Strokes were already pretty boring.
I've never heard of a more apt description of the Kings of Leon they are definitely the "Southern Strokes" but it is so fitting, particularly for this album, and the time it was released. Whilst I am a little more partial to their 2008 Only By The Night Album, Aha Shake Heartbreak is still a great outing. You can't really go past the distinctive voice of Caleb which is strangely comforting, yet giving power as needed. Best: The Bucket Worst: Rememo
Rock alternativo. No sé si ni fu ni fa o un 4. Venga, un 4 por el espíritu navideño de este día.