Customer Reviews

One Time Bells

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This is the hottest band around. Real musicianship. Lyrics you remember. Some very funny. Can't stop listening to it. Giving it to my friends. But most of them own it already. Nick Stumpf rules!!!

I was recently exposed to French Kicks for the first time and have found their other productions to be far more interesting than "One Time Bells". Besides having a good song followed by an OK song throughout most of the album, their sound is just relatively flat in here. Listening to it just doesn't make me feel anything that other similar bands made me feel, which is to say that only four years after its release this album hasn't really aged that well.

I recommend "Two Thousand" and "The Trial of the Century" as far superior productions than this one.

I first saw the French Kicks as an opening band. I saw them perform three times. The first show I saw I thought they were terrible. The music sounded totally disjointed - the vocals were slow, the music was fast -it just sounded a mess. I went to see a second show and was not looking forward to seeing French Kicks open again. This time, the music did not bother me as much. Maybe they were having an off night during at the first show? Anyway, my friend purchased "One Time Bells" and let me listen to it, and they sound totally better on the CD. The music and vocals, which sounded so disjointed live, came together on the CD. I am not a fan of the entire CD, but I have some favorites, and those songs which are good are very good. I also find the singer's voice very soothing.
I would say to give the Kicks a chance. It may take a few listenings to grow on you, but it is worth the time.

I recently played this album at a New Year's Eve party, and it had people bobbing their heads to its catchy beats and inquiring as to who it was. I have heard some people say that it's the type of album that requires multiple listens to let it grow on you, but I really don't think that's the case. After my first listen to this CD, I was hooked. It's infectious choruses will leave you wanting more, and if it doesn't, you should check your pulse. It's honest and subliminal lyrics will keep you singing along. My personal favorites are "Close to Modern," a mellow tune with a great chorus, "Trying Whining," and "Crying Just For Show," a song that really rings true and I'm sure everyone can relate with. If you want something to get your adrenaline going, look elsewhere. If you want one of the year's best CD's that will keep you intrigued until the last song, pick this up as soon as you can.

I, as many here seem to have, found out about The French Kicks through Hot Hot Heat. The first time I saw/heard of them was at the Hot Hot Heat concert this past December.
To be honest, I wasn't really feeling the Kicks that night, but bought the album because it seemed special. It's really great.
I'm so glad I bought it, but it definitely mood music.

French Kicks are a godsend. You will adore them. You'll find yourself getting caught by your friends singing the falsetto part to 'Close to Modern'--ooh ooh ohh aaaaah. You'll find yourself loving this record. As for the Strokes comparisons? The Strokes were fun too, but I'd look for French Kicks to sneak up behind the hype and the haters and have much more longevity. There's more to these guys than their dingy-chic haircuts.

This album rocks big time on many levels. The grooves are hot, the vocal melodies are great, the instrumentation is original. The french kicks are unique but not pretentious. And it's not that retro bullcrud like the mooney suzuki. And Hans Greer couldn't be more on -- the bass playing is tight, sweet, and pumpin'.