Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Victims of serious backlash, July 24, 2008
I find it funny how Black Kids can put out a great EP that critics rave over, then nine months later they release that same EP with slightly higher production values and few similar sounding songs, those same critics can be found trashing the record.
To me, it seems like it was cool to like the Black Kids when no one had heard of them, but as soon as they became the next big thing, critics couldnt wait to drop them. They'll blame the production values or the non-EP songs for the change in opinion, but objectively speaking, this album does not stray that far from their EP and the early negative reviews are more likely due to reviewers wanting to keep their rep than anything.
For me 'Partie Traumatic' reminds me of 'Hot Fuss' by the Killers. Both albums are based on great raw sounding EPs and both consist of a few great singles connected by lesser, yet decent tracks. Yes the production is higher on this than on 'Wizard of Ahhs', but its not a deal breaker by any means. Yes, the lyrics are a bit silly at times, but to me, bands like this serve the purpose of making fun, danceable music, rather than deep contemplative compositions. And here, they serve that purpose well.
If you like the Cure/New Wave/Dance then you will like this album. Its not super deep, but not incredibly shallow either, just a fun album by a band that critics/snobs are rebelling against right now
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Partie Fantastic!!!, July 31, 2008
As mentioned by another reviewer, US quintet The Black Kids (much like Brit duo The Ting Tings) are suffering from some backlash; it's okay to love and laud them while they're unknowns, then put them down when they hit the big time.
Ignore the snooty critics, this album is one of the best I acquired during my recent visit to the UK, even my cousin who isn't really into Rock music found it catchy.
Agreed, they do not reinvent the musical wheel (they largely toe the same line as "Hot fuss"-era Killers, especially opening cut "Hit the heartbreaks", complete with pseudo Brit accents) but still, their brand of dance/rock is incredibly catchy, from single "I'm not going to teach your boyfriend how to dance", the groovy pair of "Listen to your body tonight" and "Love me already", the buzzing Chic inspired "I wanna be your limousine", the slightly more downbeat but still brilliant "Hurricane Jane", to the Duran Duran channelling closing cut "Look at me (When I rock wichoo)", every song is upbeat and incredibly catchy.
The CD comprises just 10 songs, and there's really no need to go into each track as each is outstanding. Partie Traumatic? More like Partie Fantastic!!!
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Partie Non Stop!, August 8, 2008
www.pitchforkmedia.com, a website I regularly go to for music news, couldn't even review this album but posted a score of 3.3 out of 10 and a cutesy picture of pugs where the review would be. It pretty much made me sick (except the pugs were there to stop me).
Over the past decade we've come to a point where a lot of people think they are alternative, but they just wear some of the clothes and buy some of the music some of the time. Then they make music themselves and things get really confusing. There are an equal number of people that latch on to indie bands like it's a cult, expecting each one to follow a pretentious code of indie conduct or be severed as unworthy. There's an identity crisis going on that leads to the pitchfork review--an inability to let go of definition and just have a good time. This is exactly what Black Kids do with their music. They don't appear to care if they are a geeky blend of new wave, Motown and Brit-pop set in Florida of all places. They sing unabashedly of teenage lust and getting out on the dance floor. They are not afraid to play simple melodies on their keyboards alongside their more complex rhythm section maneuvers. Like another band from the south I love, The B-52's, they sound like they are doing this because the songs are fun, without any pretention. This band is the real thing, but it isn't designed to blow your mind away because of it. They certainly are not looking to turn off the indie crowd in the process, but to look to their debut to fulfill any indie precedents of clever intellect, instrument use, or production is futile. They can't hear you from the dance floor and excuse me I need to join them.
The band didn't rise up through years of calculated self released material, contacting and negotiating with labels, promoters, etc. They were at the right place and time. The attraction was having a download only EP containing early versions of four of their best songs. They toured Europe building anticipation for their debut. By the time they were ready to record Partie Traumatic the band need not cater to every label whim--they were wanted as is, so to mess with the formula would be a mistake. It's a freedom most bands never get. Another mistake would be to try to write songs that prove the worth of the band to the indie crowd.
The new songs on the album are just as good as the four songs they reworked from their debut EP and blend into the album arrangement seamlessly. The same blend of influences is there, with maybe a little more emphasis on their obvious love for '80s pop from The Cure. I can easily pick out two or three new songs that could be released as singles. But nothing on the release shows they are intending to take over as indie rock gods. The band isn't seeking to play big arenas with their songs, or to bring everyone together for some collective experience. They just want to have fun, so they do.
So to have the opportunity to do what they want, then follow through with an honest release that contains seriously fun and well executed material is much, much more refreshing than reading some jerk go on and on about how the album didn't "wow" him so it must not be any good. I can dance alone if I have to and still have a good time. I guess that's the point.
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