My favourite duo have put out the video to their new single, Better Off Without You. As you know, I Want You has been my main obsession this year. I play it every single day, it’s just so perfect. Song of the year? No doubt.
The video has a lovely 70s feel to it, it’s shot so beautifully.
Oh and….Remember, remember the 31st October- their debut album comes out!
The single is out now, SUPPORT IT!
I’ve only cared about two sub-genres of music ; Shoegaze and Riot Grrrl. The latter isn’t really a sub-genre is it? More of a movement. One that was much needed, and it still needed. I still hope a wave of it takes over once again booting out all the shit in the music industry. Until then, I’ll just scream along with Kathleen Hanna in the comfort of my own home. It’s frowned upon whilst on a bus or train….apparently.
Over the past year and a bit a sub-genre has emerged. Some have dismissed it without listening, some claim it doesn’t exist and some actually love it. Now, those that are a fan of this sub-genre are frequently called “hipsters” and no feck all. I’m not a hipster and I’m pretty intelligent. So HA! In your FACE dumb music critics who slag things off just to look “cool.” I may rant, stick with me. I’ll try to keep on topic.
Chillwave. Where does one begin when talking about Chillwave. Yeah, the start would probably be wise. It all began a few years ago in America. As America has legit Summers- they can probably capture the Summer vibe, sunshine and beaches feel to their music better than an English band. Summer was a lovely day in England. Chillwave has a very 80s feel to it. Synths, electro, slightly distorted sound. I love it. I’m not sure why. I do think it could be that when I hear a GOOD Chillwave based act, I feel like I am sitting on a beach staring out at the sea- thinking about nothing and everything at the same time. Trust me, this happens about 5 times a day. Real life, you truly bore me.
I’m going to give you some artists that I love that fall into the Chillwave category. They should make you feel like you are floating and that nothing can touch you. I want you to listen to these songs and think about nothing and no one. The last thing/person you thought of- forget it/them. From now until you’ve listened to these songs- nothing matters.
I’ll start with one act that is probably one of the best Chilwave acts. Even those who dislike Chillwave love this guy.
Ernest Greene aka Washed Out has put out one of the best albums of the year. Within And Without is a close to perfection album, and he’s one of the stand-out acts in the Chillwave scene. His atmospheric tone just eases your soul. It’s pissing down with rain outside, but as I listen to his music- it just sends me off to some place beautiful. If you come to dislike Chillave music, I do hope you reserve some love for Washed Out as he’s truly wonderful.
Lay Bac’s music feels like a carnival, it’s just so joyful. Out of all the Chillwave artists I’ve been listening to for the past year or so, this guy is probably my number one. There’s something slightly different to his sound compared to others. His music feels like waves crashing as you watch from a cliff. It’s got this euphoric feel to it, I just love his sound a hell of a lot.
Blackbird Blackbird were another musical discovery at around 3am a while ago. That’s when I usually find new music to fall in love with. In under 3 minutes, this song defines Summer. The bass-line in this song is just simply gorgeous. It doesnt ripple through your chest, it just rocks your heart ever so gently. The music that Blackbird Blackbird create is so soothing and gentle. You just get this warm feeling inside when you listen to it.
If Beach House made a Chillave record, it would sound like this. Youth Lagoon’s take on Chillwave is much more emotional. That’s just what I take from it. I love the lyrics to July, “If I had never let go, then only God knows where I would be now. I made a bridge between us then I slowly burned it.” Aside from The Last Goodbye by The Kills, this song has my favourite lyric this year. It’s just a wonderfully haunting song, and his music is beautiful.
Okay, so Soft Powers isn’t Chillwave but I just wanted an excuse to include him. Who would’ve thought someone that was once in a Post-Hardcore band could create something like this? That’ll teach you to judge! If you like MGMT and Empire Of The Sun, you’ll love this.
I was reluctant to mention Teen Daze as I personally don’t regard them as Chillwave, but after going further into their career- they do have some aspects of it. For Paulina is their most Chillwave-type of song I think, it’s also one of my favourites. Saviour is a beautiful track, but For Paulina- the first time I heard it, I fell in love. For those less curious to explore Chillwave, listen to Teen Daze.
As somone is slowly growing tired of seeing people stand on a stage with an acoustic guitar singing awful love songs, I’m accepting Chillwave with open arms. The feel in the music is more haunting and distorting- the only person who could make an acoustic song sound haunting was Townes Van Zandt. Those NOW that stand about with an acoustic guitar just sing the same whiney songs, I don’t want to hear it anymore. With the dark nights coming early, I want to hear something that doesn’t make my bones feel cold and my soul tired. I’ll stick with Chillwave and Lo-Fi/Surfer-Pop. Oh, and I can’t be called one of those “Hipsters.” I don’t buy my clothes from charity shops- I think I’d feel uncomfortable knowing someone had died in what I was wearing. Oh, and just because it has a rip in it- doesn’t mean it is vintage. Stop wearing those MASSIVE glasses, you have 20/20 vision. Stop pouting in your photographs, you look like a dick.
GOOD EVENING!
I was doing a work placement a month before Midnight Boom came out, and whilst I was there Midnight Boom was constantly played. Before it was released, I knew every word to every song. My obsession with The Kills has been huge ever since the first time I heard their first album, Keep On Your Mean Side. Midnight Boom just catapulted it to great heights, and I know that there is no coming down from this. I don’t ever want to, if I’m honest.
The album opens with U.R.A. Fever, one of the best singles The Kills have ever put out. I’m not fussed on the singles bands put out, I prefer albums. I love having a collection of songs. Luckily, The Kills are perfect so I don’t have to worry about ever feeling disappointed with any release. Besides, they put Black Balloon out as a single- personal favourite.
I came up with an analogy of The Kills last night, well 2.30am this morning. Basically, Jamie’s guitar sounds like a machine gun and Alison sings like a frustrated Angel. If I had to describe them to someone, I’d use that description. I’m pretty proud of it- and I’m rarely proud of myself.
U.R.A Fever is amazing to watch live, just like any of their songs. When they sing together, all this mind-blowing chemistry just flies out. You want it for yourself, but you know it’s rare. What you witness between Alison and Jamie is so rare. Maybe you’ll have your own version of it one day, just don’t go looking for it.
The term Midnight Boom refers to the time where the moon comes up and everyone goes to bed. However, if you’re like me and sleep is your enemy- the term is lost on you. I’ve always loved the titles The Kills come up with for their albums, Keep On Your Mean Side will always be my favourite.
Alphabet Pony hits you hard, it attacks you in a way that you cannot defend yourself from- but why would you want to? Their sound on their third album is as brutal as ever. The video to Last Day Of Magic just sums up the fury in their music. Loving but just oozing frustration. Not in a, “I hate myself and the world” kind of way, but just knowing you can do something, it’s just doing it. I don’t know, I’m not very good at wording things like that, I just feel too much I guess.
Lyrically, this album is just as cruel as previous releases. Recently a perfume advert has decided to use Cheap And Cheerful as part of their ad campaign- I bet their perfume isn’t. I know, poor joke. I love the line, “I’m bored of cheap and cheerful. I want expensive sadness. Hospital bills, parole. Open doors to madness.” Alison’s cough at the start is strangely attractive too. The way she sings, “It’s alright, to be mean.” Over the little drumming solo is pretty damn good too. The album just bursts so much energy and harsh lines. Like all their albums, there are no bad tracks. Every song just flows into each other so perfectly.
The album closer (if you don’t have the bonus track, Night Train) Goodnight Bad Morning is so fragile and vulnerable. At times, their lyrics pour out so much vulnerability- especially with how Alison sings them. “The jailers in my mind are all dead. I love you so much. Never forget.” The way Alison and Jamie sing this together, you just believe them more than ever. It’s just a gorgeous song. Everything about it just moves you.
Hook And Line is another ruckus (noisy not unpleasant) track. “Nail it down with jealous bones.’Til it goes off like a feather on its own.” Try all you want to, but you cannot control or stop her/The Kills. Reading their lyrics, it’s almost a guide to life. Teaching you that sometimes it’s okay to do bad things (not to the point where you hurt someone on purpose.) Its okay to keep your guard up, you probably always should.
Tape Song for instance, “Time ain’t gonna cure you honey. Time don’t give a shit.” So true. People are quick to fool themselves with the idea that time heals all. It doesn’t. What you do is, you adapt. You’re never cured, whatever is irking you will always be there. Time is just a concept- not a healer. As they point out that time doesn’t heal, you have to do what you can to move forward, “You’ve got to go steal ahead.” If anyone is in need of some kind of guidance in life, then listen to this song. It’ll sort you out, no problem.
Midnight Boom gave Alison and Jamie more success than previous albums. They featured on Jools Holland, Jonathan Ross- I remember sitting on the floor staring at the screen like an attentive child watching their favourite cartoon. I was just proud that my favourite band was finally getting the recognition they deserve. I’ve loved them since the start, and to see them finally being praised for what they are doing is just beautiful. This album caused their career to take off, but if you listen to all their albums- this sound has always been there. That raw, bluesy feel- no one else has done it as well as The Kills and honestly? I severely doubt anyone else could.
Oh, and remember “It’s alright, to be mean.”
When an album has been produced by Merrill Garbus of Tune-Yards and is released on the Kill Rock Stars label, you know it’s going to be really close to perfection. Two voices in the music industry that are everso underlooked have put out an album that is probably going to remain underrated. This isn’t right. I won’t have it. Then again, nobody really listens to me, but it’s alright. I’ll still tell you why this album by Thao + Mirah is awesome.
Thao is part of the band, the Get Down Stay Down and Mirah is a solo artist. Together and individually they make beautiful music. What I love about this project is how massive the drums sound. The opener on the album Eleven features Tune-Yards, so of course there is going to be insane drumming. It’s just so powerful, it makes you think you can run up a mountain without breaking into a sweat. If only that was possible, right? If clubs played more music like this, maybe I’d enjoy social events/go out more.
I’m starting to feel most good music comes from the LA area. Artists such as Warpaint and Thao + Mirah just make me want to leave England and bugger off to LA. However, I have no money so I’ll just keep it as a dream that will never come true. I guess it can’t go wrong that way.
I love how emotionally charged their lyrics are, especially on the song Littel Cup, which is probably my favourite. “And you were beautiful it’s true. And all I ever wanted was to be good to you.” I presume we all want to be good for the one we are the fondest of, sometimes it doesn’t always work out. Sometimes, you’re best isn’t enough for reasons that are probably best unknown to save you from more heartache and confusion, “All I want to give, not give enough.”
When I listen to their songs, I can’t help but feel every single word they sing. There’s so much hurt in their songs, it makes you want to find the lovers that hurt them and slap them. Or thank them for inspiring such a bloody wonderful record. Or maybe, they haven’t been hurt and it’s all fictional. Either way, it’s just bloody amazing songwriting.
It’s a shame that this is easily the most underrated album of this year, but if you’re one of the lucky few that have exposed it to their ears, treasure it. Please treasure it and share it with those that deserve to hear such a stunning record from start to finish.
I have my wonderful mum to thank for my love of Richard Hawley. Around 3 or 4 years ago, she asked me to get me one of his albums for Christmas. Now, as someone who only likes to give people CDs or books as a present- I was more than happy to buy her one of his albums.
I found out the real reason as to why she loves him so much immediately. It’s not because he’s one of the best singer/song-writers in this country, but it’s because he’s a Yorkshire lad. I went through this with her about Arctic Monkeys. I came home with their debut album when it came out- she refused to listen, “They’re from the wrong side of the Pennines!” Was what she hollered at me. It took several conversations and a few articles to prove to her that they were also Yorkshire lads. With knowing this, she bloody loves them. Funny thing is, she worships Morrissey. She said he’s the only exception.
Well it is true, Yorkshire is THE superior county. I must point out my mum is from Yorkshire, she doesn’t have some strange obsession with the county- she is from there.
Right, anecdote out of the way. I’ll discuss my appreciation for Mr. Hawley.
His voice is so soothing and his lyrics are simply wonderful. He’s a poet, there’s no doubt about it. Even if you don’t like his music (how could you not?!) just read his lyrics, they flow like poetry. I don’t want to focus on his time in the Longpigs or Pulp; I’m going to keep it about his lyrics.
The meaning of true love can be heard and felt in a Richard Hawley song, “You’re the one who sees the darkness on the edge of town. You’re the one my arms surround. You’re the thorn and you’re the crown.” This is easily my favourite lyric of his, it’s just so beautiful. He is well and truly, the last of the Romantics. His music make you feel like you are in a log cabin with only the stars and an open fire for company. To be honest, what more does one need? It’s the simple things that matter.
Without Richard Hawley, the true sense of Romanticism in music would be dead. He is just everything the younger generations need to hear. There is more to music than singing about getting drunk or yelling “I’m a freak, love me!” Nobody cares for that bullshit, it is highly irrelevant. This is why we need folks like PJ Harvey and Richard Hawley. They will be remembered for a very long time, the others won’t. I can only hope someone hears a Richard Hawley and is inspired to write something with meaning.
Aside from being a Romantic, there’s a Political side to his lyrics. One song in particular just hits the nail on the head with regard to how messed up British society is, “Those people they got nothing in their souls. And they make our TVs blind us from our visions and our goals. Oh the trigger of time it tricks you so you have no way to grow.” Taken from, Tonight The Streets Are Ours- this line just sums up how television has ruined peoples hopes and dreams. They see things on TV that they think can be achieved and ignore what they want. They force themselves to want what Society makes them want.
His last solo album, Truelove’s Gutter refers to a place in Sheffield and was also recorded in Sheffield. Another reason as to why this album is a bloody masterpiece. Remorse Code is close to 10 minutes of utter perfection. It’s so chilling, and so beautiful. It’s just more proof that songs that last over 5 minutes are actually the best. Nobody wants something that lasts 2 minutes, you want something that goes on forever and sends you into another world. Even his shorter songs have this affect on you. He’s just an insanely gifted songwriter.
Personally, Valentine is my favourite. I love the meaning behind it and the lyrics just, I don’t know. They just do something to me that just proves I’m far too sensitive for my own good most of the time. Sometimes, it’s bloody bittersweet when a song so beautiful just rips you apart. The line, “I’m scared you don’t need me anymore.” It’s too poignant for words. It always breaks my heart.
Artists such as Richard Hawley are the reason as to why lyrics are so important to me. Of course I can appreciate certain parts in songs that just blow your mind, but there is something about how a line is sung, and what is sung that just collides with your soul and comforts you. I have my mum to thank for my love for Bob Dylan, and also Richard Hawley. He’s a National Treasure.
When an artist describes them as “Nancy Sinatra with a gun” you’d probably be quick to think, “Whatever dickhead, dream on.” Most of the time I guess you’d be right in thinking that. However this time, it’s pretty damn accurate.
When you expose yourself to one song by Lizzy Grant aka Lana Del Rey, you cannot stop at just one. You have to listen to every single song you can possibly find. Her music will scare you, you will firmly believe that she carries a gun around with her and is some kind of gangster. You know how Alison Mosshart uses that gun in the video to Treat Me Like Your Mother? You pretty much get the same vibe from Lana Del Rey- except she’d do it in a Jazz club or behind closed doors- not in the middle of nowhere. Nobody should make being a gangster attractive, but Lana Del Rey does. She isn’t really one, but I’m going to make believe that she is. For now. Until I get bored and just enjoy her music rather than this mystic creature I’m making her out to be.
This kind of music is much needed, especialy when the charts are riddled with awful manufactured shite. I do not need to name names. At the moment it’s just all thoughtless and entirely shallow. There is depth to Lana Del Rey’s music, Diet Mtn Dew for instance, she questions her lover if they will be in love forever even though she knows the person is bad for her. I guess this proves the theory that a lot of girls want someone who is a bit of a wanker and is bad for them. I don’t have it in me to be that way, which is why well, you know- the good ones end up with nothing. It’s alright- I’ve got books and records. One day that will impress a girl. Probably when I’m about 50 and I’ll HAVE to settle. Brilliant….
The only person who has ever mastered mixing Jazz with Hip Hop is of course, Amy Winehouse. Lana Del Rey is NOT the new Amy Winehouse. She cannot be replaced at all. Ever. Just no. Not going to happen. Lana Del Rey does combine the two, but in a different way to Amy Winehouse. With Amy, you could feel her pain and despair. You wanted to reach out and help her. With Lana, she makes you feel you’re part of the Mob in New York City or Chicago running and hiding for your life. There’s an element of danger to her songs and such sincerity to her voice. At times, you wonder how a 24 year old can make this kind of music. How many crime novels has she read?! She has a truly wonderful voice, well what else can be expected from a former Jazz singer.
When you listen to her music, you do not think you are in 2011. You think you are in 1950s at a Jazz club watching this enigma perform on stage. Her music creates this presence that part of you wants to get close to, but the other part of you fears it. A lot of singers create personas for reasons unknown and really, it just makes them out to be self-absorbed and all they have going for them is a gimmick and no talent (again, I don’t need to name names.) But with Lana Del Rey, you believe she is living out all she is singing. Except, she probably isn’t. But just let yourself believe she is, it;s better if you do. If you don’t- the gangster version of Nancy Sinatra will probably come get you! I presume you’d probably enjoy that.
I honestly cannot praise her talents enough. Her voice is powerful but not in a “I’m going to hit every note and it will sound like I am in agony” kind of way. It does something to you- it is utterly criminal, but in a good way. Trust me, if you listen to her music you will know what I mean. She is so beautiful, to the point where when you watch her videos you’re notpaying attention to what she is saying because she isso captivating. Your eyes will pop out of head, you will be covered in goose-bumps- you will be utterly hypnotised.
After listening to her music you will hate the real world. You will hate your world and wish to be part of Lana Del Rey’s. Just don’t start acting like a Mobster, it won’t start or end well.
There’s one song that I heard in February this year that I have to play at least five times a day. It’s like a ritual. I listen to this song and it’s like a wave of emotions take me over. Not in a “I need to cry because everything is toss” kind of way. No no, far from it. I listen to this song and everything about it just shoots through me. I feel like a child at Christmas. I feel my body being covered in goose-bumps when the synths and drum machine kick in. I honestly advise nobody to be around me when I hear this song. I’ve written about this song loads on here, I love it so much. With every listen, I find something else to love.
The song is of course, I Want You by Summer Camp.
I’m utterly in love with everything about this band. I love Jeremy Warmsley. I first heard of him in 2008 whilst I was at Uni. His solo stuff was just gorgeous. He’s now working with the beautiful Elizabeth Sankey- who make up the duo that is, Summer Camp. I love her delicate voice, although it posses great power. I just love them to pieces. I think if I ever witnessed I Want You live, I’d probably get taken away due to going a wee bit mental. The lyrics are just (pardon my awful language) FUCKING amazing. It’s what love and lust should be about. I seriously cannot put into words how much I love this song. I think I should mention some other songs because they have so many!
You’d think after a song such as I Want You, the duo would put something else out that follows suit right? WRONG. Better Off Without You is quite frankly AWESOME. It’s a wonderful “Piss off, you’re an annoying piece of doo-doo” kind of song. I advise anyone who’s been dumped or got rid of annoying twerps out of their lives to listen to this song. You’ll feel about 60 feet tall and you’ll feel so much better about everything. The wonderful electro feel is still there, and Elizabeth’s vocals are as distinctive as ever. You can really sense the disgust for whoever this is about. It’s bloody brilliant.
Recently they joined the PledgeMusic site to raise money to fund the release of their debut album. Things you could bid for ranged from a mix-CD to a batch of Elizabeth’s homemade brownies. Seriously, this is the future kids. This is how musicians need to fund their albums. Mix-CDs and baked goods. Make it happen, seriously. Their debut album, is out, I think on Halloween- the same day as Florence And The Machine. Something tells me I will be purchasing two of the best albums of the year on that day.
Summer Camp are a band that could sing about a heartbreaking subject, but the music disguises the pain in the lyrics. I just love that. Sort of what The Drums do. It’s all well and good listening to someone pour their heart out over a piano or an acoustic guitar. But some of us just want so much more. Thank goodness for Summer Camp. I’ve played an EP of theirs to death, I seriously cannot wait for their debut album.
Now, when a band has an electro sound- can they really evoke the same imagery and make you feel the same acoustically? Only the good ones can blow your mind both ways. Obviously Summer Camp can. There have been some amazing debut albums released this year, and I have every ounce of faith that Summer Camp are easily going to put out an astounding debut album that has been well and truly worth the wait.
I know next to nothing about Lay Bac, apart from his real name (Josef Calamusa) and that he comes from Austin, Texas. Home of the greatest music event, ever – SXSW. I’m determined to go there one day. All I need is money and to cure my severe dislike of flying. The latter seems more likely than the former. I can keep that rage to myself though. Not here, not now.
Lay Bac is more than likely going to fall under the chill-wave category. I understand why, but if you listen to his music, it’s not really chill-wave. If anything, it’s experimental. Then again, shouldn’t all music be experimental? Surely all artists should experiment with different sounds to keep things different and interesting? If you love Youth Lagoon and Washed Out, then you will more than likely fall in love with Lay Bac. Coming from someone who is massively in love with Youth Lagoon and Washed Out, Lay Bac is just another artist I can love. I love everything about his sound.
I love how Lay Bac makes you feel like you’re wandering the streets of LA or New York in the 80s in the blistering heat. In reality, you’re in scummy England and it’s pissing down with rain outside. It’s okay, indoors you can create your own world with what is playing through your headphones. That’s the beauty of music. You can let it take you anywhere you want.
With the days becoming night so fast, and Summer abandoning us faster each year- music like this just keeps it going a bit longer. You may not have the funds or means to sit on a beach listening to Lay Bac, but the power of imagination is so great you can create it in your head. So, do yourself a favour and listen to Lay Bac and let your body and mind transport you to a place you wish to be. Heaven knows you deserve it.
What I love about S.C.U.M is that they took the time out to perfect the sound that is on their debut album, Again Into Eyes.
I remember first hearing them two years ago with the single Visions Arise and I was in awe of the bass-line and how beautiful and ghastly Tom Cohen’s voice was. Of course they are going to get compared to The Horrors- that’s not a bad thing. It’s good that a band like The Horrors can now be seen as an influence. However, there is nothing you can compare the bands with. So what if they both have captivating front-men and posses great musicianship? A lot of bands already do, doesn’t mean you can say they are like whoever.
Yes, Huw Webb is Rhys Webb from The Horrors brother- again irrelevant. He’s not lurking in his brother’s shadows. There’s no lurking or riding off the coattails of another’s here. It’s straight up originality. If you don’t like it, what’s wrong with you?!
Again Into Eyes- shall we commence the wondrous dissection? Alright then.
Firstly, I need to tell you that this album is full of wonderful imagery that just casts you into a different dimension. There are gloriously dark tones to this album but at the same time you can picture yourself stranded on a cliff gazing afar and not being scared of falling. That’s what I get from this album, especially with the track Cast Into Seasons. You don’t need me to tell you just how good Amber Hands and Whitechapel are- you should already know this. If you haven’t, what have you been listening to?
Summon The Sound has this petrifying and slightly distorted sound. You can imagine Tom Cohen hiding in the shadows waiting to chase you off into the night. He’s an attractive young man, so you’d probably turn around and ask him for a cuddle. If it isn’t Tom Cohen, then run. Run as fast as you can. Again, this goes back to what I mentioned earlier about the album having dark tones to it. It’s menacing in some points, his vocals really do give you goose-bumps at times.
When a band can exceed your expectations with their first album, you know that they are going to last longer than most.
Sentinal Bloom starts so beautifully. The intro does feel like a flower coming into bloom, then Tom’s delicate voice pushes through. On a few tracks on the album, his voice reminds me slightly of Brian Molko- but less nasally (I love Placebo, this is by no means me being negative towards them at all.)
There are haunting synths, decadent bass-lines, powerful vocals, hypnotising guitars and dominant drumming on Again Into Eyes. The whole album just makes you feel like you’re coming alive and out of hibernation.
In a better context, it is almost as if S.C.U.M is blowing away any doubters, competition or awful bands with this album. A debut album can be a solid blueprint for any artists’ career, going by this debut- you cannot help but be excited about the future of S.C.U.M.
With artists such as Anna Calvi releasing albums this year that have a dark, euphoric sound that just takes the listener elsewhere, then maybe this is what the mainstream needs? Life isn’t all sunshine and happiness you know. There’s more to life than joy, not everyone is always happy and not everyone wants to listen to music that makes them dance.
S.C.U.M has created this amazing work of art, if you overlook this debut album, then shame on you. The calibre of music being produced in this country every year/ we just won’t stand for your shallow, manufactured shit no more. Thank you S.C.U.M. Thank you for creating something we can believe in!
If I had to list my favourite albums of all time, I’d probably put all four of The Kills albums in there. However, there’s one album of theirs that owns my heart slightly more than the others. It’s not because of sentimental value, all four albums hold that. With the album I’ve chosen to focus on, it is the pure Punk feel to it- that menacing raw sound. I remember when I first heard it, I was just instantly drawn in to Alison’s delicate voice and Jamie’s aggressive guitar sounds. Keep On Your Mean Side will forever be one of my favourite debut albums I’ve ever heard.
As most are aware, The Kills are influenced by the Blues. You listen to how Jamie plays guitar, and the influence of the Blues is so obvious. Not in a rip-off sense, far from it. I firmly believe that Jamie Hince is severely underrated as a guitar player. You honestly do not have to have seen The Kills live to know this. Just listen to songs such as Wait, Pull A U, Fried My Little Brains, Baby Says, Last Day Of Magic- basically all their songs, you dig? Good.
They are also influenced by the likes of Captain Beefheart and The Velvet Underground. I’d also say hints of Townes Van Zandt are present too. Basically, as they influenced and admire such great musicians it is really no surprise that they make music which is on the same level as their influences.
When I first heard Keep On Your Mean Side, the immediate feeling I got from it was that I felt like I was taking a road-trip on some desolate and dusty road. Just getting away from everything and forgetting it all. The Kills are brilliant if you feel like a lost cause/soul. They help you find parts of you; they reach parts of you that not even someone so close to you could ever get to. Their lyrics are your life, the band are your lifeline.
There are a handful of albums and artists that make me feel this way, but with The Kills it is entirely different. Maybe it’s because of the bond Alison and Jamie have with each other, as there are only two of them making this heartfelt music- you feel it more because it’s much more personal.
I think my favourites off Keep On Your Mean Side have to be Wait and Gypsy Death And You. Both songs have this unexplainable emotion to them. The images you get from both songs are astounding.
When I listen to Gypsy Death And You, I picture a lonely person in a hotel room collapsing out of utter despair with regard to their life and the one they love. They can’t bear to look at them because it aches too much, “She covers one eye ‘cause she can see into your soul. And she no, longer wants to.” The song is full of understanding, that’s its okay to feel like that, “If that’s the way that you feel, then that’s the way that you feel.” It’s just such a comforting line. Besides, why should you have to justify how you feel? Feeling it is bad enough, you don’t have to explain.
Wait feels like a road-trip with someone you’re not really close to, but want to get close to. I think everyone has someone that they look at and wish they could figure out. I personally don’t, but that’s because I think not being able to understand someone makes life more interesting I guess. Some people are the way they are, just because I suppose. Not everything needs a reason. I love Wait because it is so simple.
“So tell me something bad you done. Tell me ‘bout your ghosts.” You just want to know the person, the good and the bad. It’s just a beautiful song; I can never get tired of playing it.
I can’t write about this album without mentioning two of the most ferocious songs by The Kills; Pull A U and Fried My Little Brains. Anyone who has seen these two songs performed live knows how mental it is. The chemistry on stage Alison and Jamie have just truly comes alive in these songs- I know it’s there with all songs, but.
The intro to Fried My Little Brains just makes this part of you lose your mind. You cannot help it, you just go crazy. You have to. That’s the beauty of The Kills, they make you feel free and give you the ability to lose your mind.
Pull A U feels like a punch in the face. The guitar in it is just mind-blowing; it just makes you feel like you’ve been smacked in the face. But you don’t care! You don’t care because it feels good.
The way their voices merge together on these songs is sexually charged, but at the same time- it isn’t. You know that Alison and Jamie are just the best of friends, and what makes them so gifted is that they can make you believe it’s something more/ they just have this insane chemistry that is really, do or die- life or death for them. This band is everything to them. This band is everything to me, and the connection they have just inspires you greatly.
The scream in Superstition is fucking incredible. The way that Alison can hold that note just leaves you in awe. It’s just beyond. Every song on Keep On Your Mean Side is so powerful and overwhelming. It makes you want to just start your own band, your own movement. They make you want to grab someone lovingly by the scruff of the neck and scream the words to Cat Claw at them.
I cannot say that this album is the most brutal sounding album by The Kills as each album has that sound. When this album came out, nothing else sounded like it, and four albums on- no one else sounds like The Kills. They’re just a perfect band. Everything about them just appeals to me. The lyrics, the aggression, the frustration, the importance, the sound- everything. You can sense in every single song just how important that song is to Alison and Jamie. You can feel just how important they band is to Alison and Jamie.
Some bands change for the worst, some change for the best. The Kills have stayed the same, but not in a way that causes them to make the same record four times over. What I mean is, they have stayed true to that Punk ethic, that harsh and raw sound that has not been done since the Velvet Underground.
Keep On Your Mean Side is a cruel and fragile album. Most people that act cruel are fragile. I’m not saying Alison and Jamie are cruel- but their lyrics can be. You love and care for someone so much to the point you cant stand them. But you need them around. That’s how you can tell that these two are the best of friends. Nothing and no one will ever come between them. They love each other with no complications, they just take each other for who they are and accept it. That’s how it should be.
If you ever wonder what the true meaning of love, friendship and loyalty is- just look at how Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince are with each other.
Beat In My Bones. 