The French Kicks
One Time Bells
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The French Kicks
One Time Bells
Startime International, 2002
RiYL: Jawbox, Dismemberment Plan, Velvet Underground |
It's a funny thing how fast a band can go from opening opener to getting paragraph-long mentions in established mainstream publications like Vanity Fair and Entertainment Weekly. But, with the Kicks' debut full length, One Time Bells, that's just what has been happening. I'm not quite sure how it happened, but it might be the misconception (or smart marketing) of the French Kicks as a brethren of the much-lauded Strokes. Or maybe it's the quartet's overall handsomeness. Anyway you slice it, One Time Bells is not a Strokes wannabe record. And it doesn't possess the franticness and freneticness that made the Kicks' first two EPs endearing. Rather, it's a subtle pop album that needs multiple listens and draws upon 1970s soul harmonies as much as it does Lou Reed's repetitious rhythm guitar.
The album-opening "Wrong Side" is an immediate example of the band's ever-maturing understanding of pop catchiness. The tempo of the song meanders, but doesn't drag as Josh Wise's guitar forms a repetitive series of eighth notes against which Matt Stinchomb layers sporadic syncopated harmonics and deft (but not cock-rocky) guitar licks. The middle range of tempo and dynamics, often elusive in indie rock (especially emo and hardcore) is cultivated and produces a fruitful bounty.
But guitars are not the only thing that shape the Kicks' sound. On "Down Now," the plunky keyboard and screech-owl-like guitar swoops serve as a disjointed backdrop to the polished three-part harmony created by drummer Nick Strumpf, Wise and Stinchomb. "Close to Modern" finds the vocal trio stretching the harmonies into crooned, near falsetto vocalizations of "woo hoo hoo, aaaahs" against the thumping of Lawrence Strumpf's simple, yet compelling bass line. The result is nothing less than an indie-rock soul track.
But for those seeking some of the more garage rock-influenced pop and hot licks that the Kicks have a reputation for, "Right in Time" is the band at its finest. Harkening back to their ecstatic, more uptempo EP arrangements, the guitars are strummed frantically, and the Strumpf brothers' collective rhythm work gets the feet moving.
Most of One Time Bells proves to be an engaging and nuanced listen, though I still maintain that the record doesn't capture the raw energy and pure rock'n'roll joy that the band exudes in the live setting.
A.K. GOLD | A.K. Gold lives in Washington, D.C., where she slaves away for a non-profit organization and constantly compares everything to New York City or Chicago. She's earned her "cred" as a college radio and pre-1960 country music DJ, committed indie label street teamer, sporadic zinemaker/contributor, retired mail-order filler and occasional freelance writer. From time to time, she publishes Anecdotal Evidence, a per zine that will some day be considered for the National Book Award, or possibly not. If you want to buy a copy, or desire to write to her for some other reason, email criticgirl@hotmail.com.