CD Review: Kings of Leon "A-ha 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.

Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 10:51 AM

CD Review: Wednesday 13 "Transylvania 90210"

Release date: April 13, 2005

This is the kind of stuff that will give you nightmares. Not the kind of nightmares that simply wake you up, but the nightmares that make you wake up in a cold sweat, wondering if you're alone in the room.

North Carolina native Wednesday 13, best known as the frontman for the Murderdolls, joined forces with Slipknot's Joey Jordison to form the Murderdolls.

The title song of the album is suprisingly mellow. Most of the album hits you in the side of the head with a proverbial sledgehammer of heavy riffs and growing/screaming Marilyn Manson-esque lyrics.

It's the kind of music you'd expect in just about any horror movie - think Rob Zombie.

Graveyards, death, halloween, zombies, cemeteries, blood - it's all here.

So what do I think? It's difficult to say. The music is catchy and so are some of the choruses. It's got the feel of early Marilyn Manson stuff, but with a B-movie vibe to it.

But there's only so much gothic lyrics and talk of ghouls and the dead that I can take. It almost becomes cheesy at times.

The music's there. The harsh-toned vocals are there. My only complaint is the lyrics themselves.

I'd give it 3 outta 5 - I can only listen to about a third of it before I need a break from the words. If the lyrics weren't so topic-monotone, I'd give it closer to a 5 outta 5.

Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 6:29 PM | Comments (5)