Kings of Leon, "Aha Shake Heartbreak"

[Dave Siff]

Anyone else digging this CD? It's a very fun listen with great tunes, and it's a definite bass player's album. The bass is way up front in the mix, and when he's not carrying the melody or playing the main riff, he's lurking in the background with cool fills. For an 18-year-old kid, he plays way beyond his years. It's like a perfect mix of youthful exuberance and mature restraint. This is by far my favorite album of the year so far, and I think anyone who's into good 'ol rock-and-roll would enjoy it. There's an article on the bass player in the new BP. I'd love to see them live, but it's a pricey ticket.. either Bonnaroo, or the U2 tour.

[DaveBeny]

The album gets a thumbs-up from me too! I just wish that the track 'Milk' was longer - it builds some brilliant tension throughout but fades out just when you want it to go up a gear!

Me and my friends have been following them since well before their first album. Try to find a copy of their first EP - quite a different sound back then (slicker production and a clearer vocal style).

They switched to a lo-fi recorded sound on their first album and have stuck with it - no idea why.

Got to see them live about a week before their first album was released (a crowd of about 1-200 people). They were great live! They stuck around for the club night that followed in that venue and came across as pretty down-to-earth.