Keep on Your Mean Side

by

The Kills

Edit

When an album like this is considered by many to be the most passionate rock album of the year then that would be nothing less than more evidence that the rock scene has got a major problem.

But such a statement could be easily misunderstood, so, some exegesis is badly needed here.

"Keep on your mean side" is indeed a brilliant LP. It sounds authentic from the get go, and has a pathos that you can't miss even if you've lost all ability to feel.

Musically, it's a simple recipe really, but as it's well observed over the years simple is more than often beautiful. It is obviously influenced -in a -major way- by the likes of P.J Harvey

but it goes beyond that because the whole mix has an intense sexuality, a "dirtyness", and a rockiness that Polly Jean hasn't achieved (at least to that degree).

Having said all that though, it is not to say that listening to the Kills isnt rewarding. It is, in fact, as rewarding as a sin to let "Keep on your mean side" go through your ears. And i'm sure they must be a treat live as well.

If we're trapped to suffer hordes of wannabes, pretenders, untalented copycats and fake hard n tough "rockers" then I'll take the Kills every single time.

After all, this is one case where you cant say "copy Kills music", if you get my drift.

After "Midnight Boom," I thought the Kills were onto something entirely new and unique, expanding horizons and creating some great music. So I checked this one out (didn't realize at first that this was their debut re-released--thanks for letting me know). To me it sounds very rushed, and is not enjoyable save some cool guitar licks (hence the 3-stars). I do NOT like the singer's diva voice, which was mostly absent on Midnight Boom, thankfully. All of the songs follow a Black Crows-meet-White Stripes feel, and bore the heck out of me. I want some more "Last Days of Magic," "Sour Cherry" kind of gems, but sadly that sound is completely absent here. Oh well, hopefully their next effort will continue the amazing sound they've been developing