Osaka

The Kickovers | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 23, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fenway Recordings
• ASIN: B000063ITE
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #267,072 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I'm Plastic

2. Black and Blue

3. Fake in Love

4. Put Me On

5. Under You

6. Heart Attack

7. Regeneration

8. Diamonds to Ashes

9. Hanging on the Telephone

10. Crash and Burn

11. Grounded

12. Wake Up

13. The Good Life

Editorial Reviews

FENWAY, 20023, 13 Track

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pure pop for new people, May 11, 2002

By 

M. Jason (Northern California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Osaka (Audio CD)

Nate Albert was guitarist for '80s into '90s ska-metal band The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, who, no doubt, provided much of the musical impetus behind acts such as... No Doubt. He has a new band called The Kickovers--based out of Boston, like the Bosstones--that heads back in time to the early-'80s but then takes off in a somewhat different direction.

The Kickovers deliver pre-grunge, power-pop/new wave, evoking images of Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, and The Replacements. Yeah, that world's old and tired, but Albert and company have slapped it awake, thrown some cold water in its face, and pumped it up with a double espresso or two.

  Besides, plenty of kids weren't alive or musically conscious when all that stuff was happening, so for y'all it might as well be new. And having lived through that era myself, The Kickovers' masterful take on power pop is a lot more pleasant for me to swallow than the best efforts of the dozens of young bands these days who, bless their hearts, think they get it and don't see themselves as a watered-down re-hash.

  The Kickovers' debut is called Osaka, a title which has nothing to do with anything, best I can tell. It kicks off with a 15 second blast of punk/hardcore noise (called I'm Plastic), as if to let ya know that these guys totally get the context in which they're presenting their raw, potent, but rather tidy songs... and as if to clue you in that Albert certainly enjoys the occasional mind [mess]. Then, it's 1980. Punk has landed on planet earth and power pop gets the message out to the mainstream. Get on your denim & leather and start pogoing.

  There's something extra comfortable, like your favorite clothes for hanging around the house, about masterful exposition within a time-tested format. Let down your guard. This is plenty cool.

Albert worked on his new LP throughout 2001 at Boston's Wooly Mammoth Studios, getting help from members of Weezer, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Orbit, The Shods, Frank Black And The Catholics, and The Neighborhoods. It's the very first release from the new Fenway Recordings label, started by former Grand Royal Records president Mark Kates. The songs are strong, the performances refined, the arrangements impeccable, the energy tangible. The one cover, Hanging On The Telephone (by The Nerves, previously covered by Blondie) fits in perfectly and provides an elegant centerpiece. As pure pop as this record most ceratainly is, it is the FUN that was had in the making of it that shines through. (Review originally appeared on Rockbites.org)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Osaka, June 22, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Osaka (Audio CD)

What can I say? I was kind of hesitant to buy this album cuz I wasn't sure if it would be a [copy]of Bosstones/Weezer music. But after listening to it, all I have to say is that this album is tyte! Anyone who is a fan of any of these musicians should buy this. You won't be disappointed!

4.0 out of 5 stars actually, 4.5 stars, but, ya know, July 31, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Osaka (Audio CD)

ok, this album sounds like todays pop punk (blink, green day etc.) except that they sound much older, more mature, better, way better, less stupid, less teen angst, and just better! I'm a big bosstones fan, i live in boston, and i think this cd is really really cool. go buy it now.