MOG

Lean, mean, raw and sexy, that’s how I’d describe The Kills. They are the epitome of a streamlined band. With only two members, a lineup can’t get much sparser. Like their fellow country persons the Ting Tings, they make the most out of their minimal approach. Midnight Boom is their third album and a triumph of indie rock leanness.

The Kills are comprised of Alison "VV" Mosshart (vocals) and Jamie "Hotel" Hince (guitar, vocals). Interestingly enough, they met when Alison heard Jamie practicing his guitar in a hotel room above hers and went to introduce herself. Alison was in Florida punk band Discount at the time and Jamie in the UK band Blyth Power. They kept in touch and when their respective groups broke up they began collaborating on their own songs by mail. Alison eventually moved to the UK to make the collaboration easier.

Midnight Boom is a more forward rock sound than their previous two albums, both of which emphasized bluesier guitar riffs. This new album is also catchier and more pop than its predecessors. The song "Cheap and Cheerful" was the first single because of its so-catchy-you-can’t-help-but-sing-along quality. "Last Day of Magic" is the second single and has that same radio ready quality. But there are far better songs on the album. The Kills are improving their songwriting skills with time.

"U.R.A. Fever" video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3fZP7QC4PE

"U.R.A. Fever"’s telephone dial tone and beeping dialing set the stage for this perfectly quirky mid-tempo rocker. A simple tapped snare drum alternates with a bass drum as a grimy, grungy bass guitar kicks in. Both members of the duo sing and on this one, they take turns, with Hotel’s sexy, raspy baritone voice for a line, then VV’s equally sexy, yet smoky alto. By the time they sing together on the chorus, we’re convinced of the sensuality that smolders as the distorted guitar squeals away along with some well-placed scratching. It’s a deceptively simple song but oh so effective. Any thoughts of what the song might be about? Willing to wager a guess at this point? If you thought SEX, you got it.

Midnight Boom is a fun-loving album as evidenced in so many of its killer songs that just make you want to move or dance outright in some way. Eight of the twelve songs are up-tempo rockers; give them a chance and they are so incredibly catchy, you’re just amazed at you’ll quickly get caught up in the rock ‘n’ roll mayhem. "Getting Down" is quite minimalist, with bouncy staccato snare, booming bass drum, jangly tambourine, sparsely played guitar, crunchy bass and an odd programmed percussion track that sounds like empty coconuts being beaten in quick succession. And of course, there‘s sexy-as-hell, breathy vocals by both members in unison. "Getting Down" revels in the twisted ways of attraction: "I’m getting down with your new vocation, I’m getting down with your cute cut wrists, I’m getting down with the kisses with the stitches on it, I’m getting down with it!" I see a theme developing here, don’t you? Sex seems to run rampant throughout the album’s songs, although they are tinged with darkness — just enough to give it a bit of danger yet still stay fun.

"Sour Cherry" Live at SXSW '08(I wasn't able to upload any songs due to puter problems but did find this vid which is representative of the "sound" of "Getting Down" & other upbeat rockers on the album.):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLSXTGmTDtQ

One of the most beautiful songs on the album is "Black Balloon." After numerous listens and after the more immediately catchy songs faded some, this one emerged as one of those haunting songs that just crops up in your psyche at random moments throughout the day. It’s actually the longest song on the album too. Syncopated hand claps begin the song followed with a single, repetitive bass guitar note. VV croons the very melancholy melody in her seductive, aching voice. The bass drum taps its way in along with the snare. The song just slowly builds in tension by adding instrumentation gradually along. The lyrics seem to speak about those dark thoughts that enter our heads, then float away. "Elevator straight into my skull, the escalator rises as it falls, I swear our jet is crashing in my mind. You can hold on but I wouldn’t waste your time. Farewell my black balloon." I dare you to listen to it without becoming entranced by its odd beauty.

If you like your rock lean, mean, raw and sexy then Midnight Boom will keep your interest. In the tradition of two piece bands such as the White Stripes, the Kills capitalize on their minimal, raw sound. If you give them a chance, the Kills may just emerge triumphant as a favorite album of yours at the end of the year.