NEW YORK (RCA Records) -
Kings of Leon, the Tennessee quartet that emerged as one of 2003's most distinctive and original new bands, return to action with their eagerly awaited second album Aha Shake Heartbreak, to be released by RCA Records on February 22.
Kings of Leon's 2003 debut album Youth and Young Manhood established the Southern-bred foursome - consisting of brothers Caleb Followill (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Nathan Followill (drums) and Jared Followill (bass), and first cousin Matthew Followill (lead guitar) - as critical darlings in America and full-tilt rock stars elsewhere. Aha Shake Heartbreak - produced, like its predecessor, by Ethan Johns (Ryan Adams, Ben Kweller), with additional co-production by noted songwriter/producer Angelo - marks a startling leap forward for the band, who dig deeper than ever into their rich musical rapport and shared personal history to deliver a dozen doses of raw, personally-charged rock.
Aha Shake Heartbreak's band-penned originals reflect the life-changing, often traumatic experiences of the 18 months that preceded the album's creation. During that time, the band swiftly rose from sheltered rural obscurity to bona fide stardom overseas - particularly in Britain, where Youth and Young Manhood is nearing double-platinum in sales. The new album's haunting, twisted tales compellingly confront the darker side of fame, surveying the personal toll of debauchery, overindulgence and fast living.
Aha Shake Heartbreak has already won widespread acclaim from fans and critics in Britain, where it debuted at Number Three upon its release in November, and has since achieved Gold sales status. Mojo said the record is "An ultimately outstanding crack at Brokering an accord between spiky noo wave and fuzzy '70s stoner rock" while the NME said "Aha Shake Heartbreak is superior in every way to its excellent predecessor," and The Guardian gave it CD of the week status and went on to say that the band has "sophistication that outstrips their contemporaries ... a vast improvement on Youth & Young Manhood."
Fresh from extensive roadwork in the U.K. and Europe, Kings of Leon will unveil their new material for U.S. fans with a handful of West Coast live dates in January, to be followed by nationwide touring upon Aha Shake Heartbreak's release. The band originally intended to book only one show in Los Angeles in January, but the show sold out in three hours, creating a demand to book a second show there on January 30.
Kings of Leon tour dates:
January 25 Seattle, WA Neumo's
January 26 Portland, OR Aladdin Theater
January 28 San Francisco, CA Slim's
January 29 Los Angeles, CA The Roxy
January 30 Los Angeles, CA The Roxy
January 31 San Diego, CA Canes
February 17th Nashville Exit In
February 18th Nashville Exit In
February 22nd New York City, NY Irving Plaza
February 23rd New York City, NY Webster Hall
February 25th Philadelphia, PA TLA
February 26th Washington, DC 9:30 Club
February 27th Boston, MA Paradise Club
March 5th Minneapolis, MN Fine Line
March 8th St. Louis, MO Mississippi Nights
March 12th Austin, TX La Zona Rosa
March 13th Dallas, TX Gypsy Ballroom
March 17th New Orleans, LA House of Blues
March 18th Atlanta, GA Roxy
March 19th Birmingham, AL Workplay Theatre
