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Editorial Reviews
The Kills, UK/US duo of Jamie Hince and Alison Mosshart, release Blood Pressures, the highly anticipated follow-up to their critically acclaimed third album, Midnight Boom. This album keeps their basic sound intact searing guitars, driving rhythms and sexually charged lyrical savvy. The 11 tracks on Blood Pressures find The Kills embracing a fuller sound; there is heavier instrumentation and layered, huge-sounding harmonies with Jamie and Alison uniting in their trademark singsong vocal style over tom heavy primitive beats.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The Kills return with their fourth album "Blood Pressures" which is the follow up to 2008's "Midnight Boom". So whats happened in the three years since "Midnight Boom"? Well Alison Mosshart spent the last couple of years singing and touring with The Dead Weather(jack white) and Jamie Hince has spent most of his time with Fiancée supermodel Kate Moss! There was even some doubt a while back if we would get another Kills record as Alison seemed happy enough to continue with The Dead Weather(not that the dead weather have broken up), but thankfully we have got another record as "Blood Pressures" features some of The Kills best work to date!
Where as last record "Midnight Boom" saw The Kills adopt a much more pop friendly sound than its two predecessors "Keep You On The Mean Side" and "No Wow", "Blood Pressures" is a lot darker, dirtier and heavier! That was evident when we first got to hear new single "Satellite" which is one of the heaviest tracks The Kills have ever done, the guitars are gritty, the chorus is big and bluesy. It was now clear that Alison's time in The Dead Weather is probably responsible for this new sound. The Kills set their intentions early on the album with opener "Future Starts Slow" which has a big drum sound(it starts out like the yeah yeah yeahs track "Mystery Girl" just heavier) and a shared vocal between Mosshart and Hince, It does not sound like a track done by two people and a drum machine, Hince's guitar playing sounds great also.
Track three "Heart Is A Beating drum" is one of the stand out tracks on the album that has a great blues riff and features a ping pong sound in the background that is also heard in "Nail In My Coffin" which is a song that wouldn't have been out of place on "Midnight Boom" and features loads of "oh oh oh oh oh's". Jamie goes it alone on the subdued "Wild charms" which works as more of an intro into "DNA" which is again grittier and heavier than The Kills ever were before. The ballad "The Last Goodbye" sung brilliantly with passion by Mosshart is a wonderful song that will probably see a lot of camera phone action.
The album finishes with "Pots And pans" which is a song you can imagine Jack White would be proud of. "Blood Pressures" shows real progress on The Kills part, especially on Mosshart's(this is her fourth full record since 2008) part as she sounds like her time away with The Dead Weather has taught her everything doesn't have to be minimal. This is really a great album by The Kills their most ambitious to date and on this form you can only see them evolve more!!
Where as last record "Midnight Boom" saw The Kills adopt a much more pop friendly sound than its two predecessors "Keep You On The Mean Side" and "No Wow", "Blood Pressures" is a lot darker, dirtier and heavier! That was evident when we first got to hear new single "Satellite" which is one of the heaviest tracks The Kills have ever done, the guitars are gritty, the chorus is big and bluesy. It was now clear that Alison's time in The Dead Weather is probably responsible for this new sound. The Kills set their intentions early on the album with opener "Future Starts Slow" which has a big drum sound(it starts out like the yeah yeah yeahs track "Mystery Girl" just heavier) and a shared vocal between Mosshart and Hince, It does not sound like a track done by two people and a drum machine, Hince's guitar playing sounds great also.
Track three "Heart Is A Beating drum" is one of the stand out tracks on the album that has a great blues riff and features a ping pong sound in the background that is also heard in "Nail In My Coffin" which is a song that wouldn't have been out of place on "Midnight Boom" and features loads of "oh oh oh oh oh's". Jamie goes it alone on the subdued "Wild charms" which works as more of an intro into "DNA" which is again grittier and heavier than The Kills ever were before. The ballad "The Last Goodbye" sung brilliantly with passion by Mosshart is a wonderful song that will probably see a lot of camera phone action.
The album finishes with "Pots And pans" which is a song you can imagine Jack White would be proud of. "Blood Pressures" shows real progress on The Kills part, especially on Mosshart's(this is her fourth full record since 2008) part as she sounds like her time away with The Dead Weather has taught her everything doesn't have to be minimal. This is really a great album by The Kills their most ambitious to date and on this form you can only see them evolve more!!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
a fine work in a progressive discography. subtle in its sexually aggressive riffs with more raw yet polished vocals than on the kills previous releases, blood pressures is fluid and full of guitar-glitchy splendor and is an evolutionary delight. cheers to alison n jamie! and thank u for the adrenaline punch.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The Kills are an alternative garage punk duo comprised of Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince who both share vocal and guitar work while splitting up the remaining instruments.
Although The Kills' third record, 2008's "Midnight Boom," was considered a crowning achievement by many critics, The Kills' popularity received its biggest boost when Alison Mosshart joined up with Jack White and friends to form The Dead Weather in 2009. This partnership not only introduced Jack White's massive fan base to a band they should have already been familiar with, but also introduced elements of White's musical styling into Mosshart's own songwriting, which is frequently apparent on "Blood Pressures."
With The White Stripes announcing their end just a few short months ago, The Kills seem primed to take over the blues-based co-ed duo crown; it's more prestigious than the title suggests. The opening beat of "Future Starts Slow," is reminiscent of Radiohead's "There There," but as soon as the guitar comes in, there is a much grittier edge to the music.
In order for a two piece band to work, there has to be a certain magic between the two performers. Although Mosshart and Hince are able to maintain heightened levels of both energy and focus, like The White Stripes, where their balance shines brightest is when they sing together. Mosshart's voice stands out more in the mix, but Hince can frequently be found an octave below, fortifying each word.
No strangers to a dark sound, the first four tracks on "Blood Pressures" offer up some of the catchiest tunes The Kills have ever released, but the distorted tones backing the vocals in the mix add a sinister element to the overall feel. "Wild Charms" offers a brief glimpse of light to the set list, but "DNA" quickly pulls listeners back to the dark side.
Although the first third of the album stands out as the main source of feature singles, The Kills' display a wider array of moods as the album progresses. "The Last Goodbye" is a solemn, piano-driven tune completely removed from their familiar style. "The Last Goodbye" could have easily been used to quietly close the album, but "Damned If She Do" pulls the listener back into the thick of things; reminiscent of the change between "Wild Charms" and "DNA." Perhaps The Kills meant to look at their album as three movements connected by a common overall sound, but the resulting album never gets tiresome partially thanks to these changes.
The Kills' fourth album closes with "Pots and Pans." The opening drone may remind listeners of Robert Plant's cover of Los Lobos' "Angel Dance" from a year ago, but as the music marches on, The Kills seem to be offering up a hint of things to come. An acoustic guitar slowly distorts until an electric downbeat takes over halfway through the song. The track works so well, it's hard to believe The Kills' next project won't see more frequent blends of acoustic and electric instrumentation.
Similar Artists: The Duke Spirit, The White Stripes
Track Suggestion: "Future Starts Slow"
Although The Kills' third record, 2008's "Midnight Boom," was considered a crowning achievement by many critics, The Kills' popularity received its biggest boost when Alison Mosshart joined up with Jack White and friends to form The Dead Weather in 2009. This partnership not only introduced Jack White's massive fan base to a band they should have already been familiar with, but also introduced elements of White's musical styling into Mosshart's own songwriting, which is frequently apparent on "Blood Pressures."
With The White Stripes announcing their end just a few short months ago, The Kills seem primed to take over the blues-based co-ed duo crown; it's more prestigious than the title suggests. The opening beat of "Future Starts Slow," is reminiscent of Radiohead's "There There," but as soon as the guitar comes in, there is a much grittier edge to the music.
In order for a two piece band to work, there has to be a certain magic between the two performers. Although Mosshart and Hince are able to maintain heightened levels of both energy and focus, like The White Stripes, where their balance shines brightest is when they sing together. Mosshart's voice stands out more in the mix, but Hince can frequently be found an octave below, fortifying each word.
No strangers to a dark sound, the first four tracks on "Blood Pressures" offer up some of the catchiest tunes The Kills have ever released, but the distorted tones backing the vocals in the mix add a sinister element to the overall feel. "Wild Charms" offers a brief glimpse of light to the set list, but "DNA" quickly pulls listeners back to the dark side.
Although the first third of the album stands out as the main source of feature singles, The Kills' display a wider array of moods as the album progresses. "The Last Goodbye" is a solemn, piano-driven tune completely removed from their familiar style. "The Last Goodbye" could have easily been used to quietly close the album, but "Damned If She Do" pulls the listener back into the thick of things; reminiscent of the change between "Wild Charms" and "DNA." Perhaps The Kills meant to look at their album as three movements connected by a common overall sound, but the resulting album never gets tiresome partially thanks to these changes.
The Kills' fourth album closes with "Pots and Pans." The opening drone may remind listeners of Robert Plant's cover of Los Lobos' "Angel Dance" from a year ago, but as the music marches on, The Kills seem to be offering up a hint of things to come. An acoustic guitar slowly distorts until an electric downbeat takes over halfway through the song. The track works so well, it's hard to believe The Kills' next project won't see more frequent blends of acoustic and electric instrumentation.
Similar Artists: The Duke Spirit, The White Stripes
Track Suggestion: "Future Starts Slow"
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Outstanding album
This is a great album and it's unfortunate that it's not being played more on radio. Re-issues should include a live version of "Last Goodbye," which was amazing.
Published 1 month ago by mme D
The Kills \m/
One of the best purchase of this year. I love The Kills, I love Alison Mosshart, I love "Blood Pressures".
Published 2 months ago by Piero
Almost but not quite
I really wanted to like this album. It has some great moments. I would describe it as having a very bluesy influence (added to their previous sound). Read more
Published 7 months ago by TRK
blood pressure can be good
i enjoyed their performance a on a late nite show. my purchase paid off the cd is just what i wanted. Read more
Published 8 months ago by taz
Amazing
The Kills Blood Pressure is some of the dirtiest, distorted, amazing guitar work. VV (Alison Mosshart) and Jamie Hince play all the instruments on this album. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Daniel G. Lebryk
straight to the point --->
The Kills - Blood Pressures (2011)
The Kills' previous album, MIDNIGHT BOOM, is loaded with super-cool, super-catchy pop songs and it's the only one of their albums that... Read more
The Kills' previous album, MIDNIGHT BOOM, is loaded with super-cool, super-catchy pop songs and it's the only one of their albums that... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Rich Latta
Not Mean Side, or how I learned to stop complaining and love Blood...
When I got this album I was initially disappointed. My knowledge of the Kills came from a library copy of "Keep on Your Mean Side", which quickly became one of my all-time... Read more
Published 9 months ago by JotsFromJude
gritty, energetic, sensual, bluesy indie rock
4th album since 2003 from London duo with Alison Mosshart from Dead Weather, Discounts. It's
a powerhouse, gritty, melodic & bluesy affair with potent & sensual female/male... Read more
a powerhouse, gritty, melodic & bluesy affair with potent & sensual female/male... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Charlie Quaker
Rockin!
I was introduced to the Kills via The Dead Weather (I'm an eternally devoted fan of Jack White) and was underwhelmed by the first couple of albums I heard, most likely due to the... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Lay_see26
The Kills Kill It Again!
Have their first three records, and each one is awesome. They have really proved their greatness with Blood Pressures. Read more
Published 11 months ago by lizardkiss
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