The Kooks - Inside In Inside Out
By: Patrick Vu | Category: Album Reviews | 03/03/06 | 12:10 AM
 |
 |
 Grade: A |
Genre: Brit Rock
Summary: The Kooks debut, Inside In Inside Out is a fun record by a fun band with a fun name. They're punk with modern rock flare who don't have to hope that their music will be adored by the in-the-know masses because it just will.
Named after the 5th track on David Bowie's Hunky Dory, The Kooks are the latest and probably the most promising new Brit rock band to come out since Bloc Party. A "skuzzy fresh faced group" (so they like to describe themselves), this foursome are a highly energetic unit full of thrills and youthful vigor. Listening to these lads, you feel a sense of rejuvenation and empowered youth, and you're proud that you're still cool enough to have heard of a band that most have not.
Inside In [and] Inside out, The Kooks have a debut that brightens an English scene full of mopey rock stars with tissue paper stuffed down their jocks. Lighten up Chris Martin because Luke Pritchard (vocal, guitars), Hugh Harris (lead guitar), Max Rafferty (bass guitar), and Paul Garred (drums) are bringing it with their mix of alt rock sprinkled over punk-ish bravado.
|
We begin the tour softly on the "Seaside," perhaps to get us all warm and fuzzy on the inside before pulling us up on our feet with "Sea the World." Garred's drum work behind the kit thunders throughout and strives to open up our "world in a different way." It blares, it soars, and above all it rocks hard.
We then move to a sound more reminiscent of favorite trendsetters like Supergrass and Blur on tracks like "Sofa Song," the debut single "Eddie's Gun" and "Ooh La." You'll find yourself bouncing in your chair, head swaying side to side to catchy guitar riffs and upbeat anthems.
These lively tunes are so deceptive that you don't even realize you're listening to an admittance of one sided love, which seems to be a common theme throughout Inside In Inside Out. "You Don't Love Me" sounds like all fun, but turns out to be a head noddin' ditty whose pain is cured by its infectious tempos.
Much like the intro track, "Seaside," "Want you Back" is uncharacteristic of the album's pace as it achingly yearns for the life and love of which it cannot have.
However, the mood doesn't stay solemn as "Jackie Big Tits" reminds you of that girl who was the first to blossom above all others. You remember her. She was the one who got all the looks and muzzled jokes that made God's gift her most appreciated quality.
The Kooks are just that, eccentric and alive in their arrangements and direction. They take Brit Rock back to the days of Brit pop when we were happy to sing along. Yet, The Kooks are moving us forward into brighter days where melancholic bands like Coldplay and Doves wish they could enter. "Bands tend to do one thing and then stick to it," says Prichard. However, The Kooks pride themselves on not conforming to what works, but on creating something that challenges them as artist, music lovers and the labels that will inevitably stick.
The Kooks debut, Inside In Inside Out is a fun record by a fun band with a fun name. They're punk with modern flare who don't have to hope that their music will be adored by the in-the-know masses because it just will. PICK IT UP!
Release Date: February 21, 2006
|
