On heavy rotation this week in my iPod has been the latest album from Brooklyn post-rock-alterna-punk-indie band French Kicks. Although these guys are not new on the circuit by any means (they've been touring since 2000 and released their first full length album "The Trial of the Century" in 2004) they are touring again this fall so I thought it might be a nice time to revisit.
The funny thing about The Kicks is that I have a hard time comparing them to any other band out there right now. Each of their songs has its own feel: it's own distinct melody, lyrics and innovative use of instruments and voice. The first single off their recent album "Two Thousand," So Far We Are, most certainly has a twinge of The Walkmen in it (these guys are buddies and probably influence each other a bit), but the most interesting part about the song is the way the Kicks are able to stop and start the music without losing the string. It's almost like giving the listener a little tug, but in an exciting instead of scary or annoying way.
The common thread throughout the album is the feeling that each song is at this great crossroads between synthetic rock and traditional crooning/melodic piano rock. It almost gives the Kicks the kind of range that Radiohead had on The Bends - they are definitely not as hard as RH, but you can tell that the Kicks are sitting on that edge of doing something completely new without turning away listeners. It's a hard line to toe, but they do it quite well, and leaves me with the feeling that they just have the talent to keep producing excellent albums.
The Kicks will be at Bowery Ballroom on Sept 6.
Listen to tracks from their album at:
www.myspace.com/frenchkicks
Official Website:
www.frenchkicks.com
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