Kings Of Leon — Aha Shake Heartbreak

The brothers Followill (and their guitarist cousin) don't shake off those Southern Strokes comparisons on Aha Shake Heartbreak, but they do follow up their disappointing debut, Youth & Young Manhood, with some more mature songwriting. Lead Followill, Caleb, still works his exhausting, over-aged blues drawl and there are still cringe-worthy lyrics about sex (on the otherwise delightful jangle-pop of "Soft"), but now there's some subtle new wave (as on the single "The Bucket" with its drippy Stones-like harmonies) and more interesting arrangements — heated rock 'n' roll opener "Slow Night, So Long" even possesses a bossanova-inspired coda. Looks like manhood is finally starting to kick in.

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