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Every once in a while I pop a CD in of a band that I’ve never heard of and am
pleasantly surprised. The Kicks, a four-piece band from Arkansas, had just that
effect on me, and then some. Their TVT Records debut, Hello Hong Kong,
has the elements of garage rock, punk and power pop all rolled into one, but
what makes it a great album is the songs themselves. And this is a major label
debut? All I have to say about that is that these guys could be around for a
long time.
“Radar” is a blistering song out of the gate that is like a cross between Foo
Fighters and Jimmy Eat World. “What Do I have to Do?” is a more melodic, pulsey-type
song that has a huge chorus and is a tad reminiscent of the Cure’s “Pictures of
You.” “Satellite” and “Mir” have more of an old-school punk flavor and “12
Steps” has the feel of a 1980s band like Flock of Seagulls but still maintains a
current type of sound. Same with “Pretty One,” which is like marrying the Cars
with Green Day.
If you think that all these comparisons are strange, or that merging the old
school with the new is not a good thing, all you need to do is pick up a copy of
Hello Hong Kong. The music industry is so saturated with mediocre talent
but the best bands always find a way to emerge. And the Kicks are, in my
opinion, the best new band of the year.
~Mike Farley
mfarley@bullz-eye.com
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