One Time Bells

French Kicks | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 7, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Vagrant Startime
• ASIN: B000065APX
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #292,240 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The French Kicks’ angular proto-post-art-punk kicks ass. Their debut full-length, One Time Bells, includes 11 smart pop hits. This tight four-piece pulls together intricate, discordant parts from two guitars and three vocalists to form polished rock & roll bursting with energy. Athletic drummer Nick Stumpf is also a talented frontman: his fluid, Britpop, whiney-boy vocals cannot be denied and, no disputing, each song has a beat. Rolling Stone panned the Kicks as derivative of fellow New Yorkers the Strokes. But a far better reference point is that great Austin band Spoon--the Kicks also sing about how mean girls are and how hard love is to jam-packed catchy riffs, spiky beats, and keyboards that actually add to the proceedings. --Jillian Steinberger

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZON 1 ROLLING STONE 0, June 30, 2002

By 

Chastaine Keaton "houston alexander" (Cincinnati, OH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Time Bells (Audio CD)

I nearly didn't buy this CD because Rolling Stone magazine gave it a bad review and called them "uninspiring". Then, I read the review by Amazon who made comparisons to Spoon, whom I like very much. I must say after hearing One Time Bells, Amazon critic is 10 times smarter than Rolling Stone critic. The comparisons to Spoon is very accurate. You can also hear influence from Television as well. This is a very good record with great hooks, fine musicianship, and sounding fresh, original, and intelligent. Easily one of the years' best. Take it from fans who listen to intelligent music, not from people who follow up an "uninspiring" article by putting Eminem on their cover. Amazon should publish a music mag! Also, noteworthy, this gets my vote for #1 album cover of the year.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Album But Promises For Even Better, April 20, 2003

By 

Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: One Time Bells (Audio CD)

I admit I had never heard of The French Kicks, but I saw these guys live recently and they blew me away. I purchased "One Time Bells" on the spot. The album is now a year old, and I venture to say that while the album is good, the live act is better, presumably due to extensive touring. Live they sound very tight, and boy, do they rock!

The band is compared to The Strokes, and to a degree, the comparison is fair. Songs like "Right In Time" and "Crying Just for Show" show a band with instantly likeable guitar licks and a tight sound. Other great tracks include "Trying Whining", "Close to Modern", the title track, and the bonus track "Piano".

At the show, the band played a couple of new songs, which sounded just great. It makes me look forward to the next album. The Strokes they are not, but they have a lot of potential.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nick Stumpf is perfect in every way., May 9, 2002

By 

hans greer (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Time Bells (Audio CD)

I just purchased One Time Bells from the French Kicks at a show and have listened to it non-stop. Crying Just For Show is probably my favorite right now, it has a very sexy feel to it.
Of course, every song has something to offer- from the awesome piano in Down Now, to the screeching riff in the title track, not to mention Lawrence's Stumpf's firm bassman groove running across every moment of this sweet sweet record.