Kings Of Leon’s rock on a touring trail

With their down-trodden rock of distinct Southern boogie persuasion, a bearded, shaggy image - as if they were after a part in a ‘Scooby Doo’ instalment - and presenting a tad mystery face to media, Kings Of Leon weren’t looking like a band on the way to rock around the world. But, ‘Youth And Young Manhood’ found half-a-million happy shoppers and the sophomore disc should attract even more fans by virtue of offering even more.

‘Aha Shake Heartbreak’ - not a curious title when you realise what is the main subject of the Tennessee boys’ CD - is the Followill brothers and cousin’s slice of rock-style experiences. The debut LP dealt with small-town boys dreaming up a metropolitan decadence of transvestite hookers, cross-dressing murderers and boyfriends on the verge of a nervous breakdown, while the new opus is about people on the sides of a touring route, such as groupies.

Close encounters of this kind appear to be of either type, according to the song titles, ‘Soft’ or ‘Pistol Of Fire’ but being a rock star means you have to endure a solitude-countering existence of a [lousy?] company on a ‘Slow Night, So Long’. No, ‘Aha’ ain’t a downer but a realistic set that appears to bend itself like a snake.

The themes may be darker and meaner - “taper jean girl with a motel face”, stars pumped full of drugs who can’t get it up - but the music continues to be elevating. A ragged rock sounds emit like curses with ‘Four Kicks’ leading the brawling parade and ‘Velvet Show’ close second. They expend their sonic dictionary with some Beafheart-like riffing on ‘King of Rodeo’ that adds new depth to their overall precept.

KoL also know how to slow down and ‘Milk’ broods majestically with loneliness; also stunning is ‘Day Old Blues’ … And yet, at 35 minutes and 11 seconds, for 12 [+ bonus] tracks is a rather short affair. It doesn’t spoil the party but it is a condensed one that causes puffed irritation according to the clichéd “leave ‘em yearning”… You play again, Caleb, and it is not enough, yet…

Rock blueser’s star trip.

8/10