CD Review: Kings of Leon

Kings of Leon
Aha Shake Heartbreak
Release date: Feb. 22, 2005

I got this album yesterday, and it's been in my CD player ever since. So many times, a band disappoints with their sophomore effort, but Kings of Leon isn't in that category.

For me, "Aha Shake Heartbreak" sets the standard set by their first album, 2003's "Youth & Young Manhood."

The band combines a seventies rock style with a garage band vibe. Some of that's production, and some is just their character.

There's a slight mute on the vocals and hint of distortion on the guitar. Singer Caleb Folllowill has a laid-back voice that's raspy when it needs to be.

The band is made up of brothers Caleb, Nathan and Jared Followill and first cousin Matthew Followill.

The only lagging moment on the album for me, was "Day Old Blues." But even that had a personality of its own that could just grow on me as time goes by.

Straight out of Tennessee, the album also gives touches of Southern rock.

By the time the album gets to the tenth track, "Four Kicks," the listeners ready for a quick-paced rocker and that's just what they get.

"Youth & Young Manhood" was one of my favorite albums of 2003, and "Aha Shake Heartbreak" will need something powerful to knock it off this year's list.