WEEKEND VIDEO
 |
Black Kids
“Look at Me (When I Rock Wichoo)”
Partie Traumatic
2008
iTunes
The emergence of this Jacksonville quintet means that the state of Florida has another thing to celebrate proudly alongside its manatees and space shuttle launches. Black Kids have enjoyed a speedy trajectory on their way to success on this side of the Atlantic, signing to the Universal subsidiary Almost Gold recordings last year.
That they have appeared to have achieved their rise through sheer quality of songwriting is refreshing to say the least, and proof of it is absolute on this overtly likable debut LP. Rarely does the phrase “album full of singles” ring true, but Partie Traumatic is bursting at the seams with well-crafted, infectious pop songs, all capable of taking plaudits in their own right.
From the opening dialogue of “Knock knock! Who’s There?” on “Hit the Heartbreaks,” you’re positively hooked. “Listen yo Your Body Tonight” oozes confidence out of every pore, carrying the listener along on a wave of synths and love-related advice, while Radio 1 favourite “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You” soars effortlessly, bouncing between high notes without a moment’s respite. Reggie Youngblood’s vocals have an alluring knack of sucking you in, at times through a combination of being hushed in verse and huge in chorus.
While the title track stands out for its wonderful drama and urgency, “Look at Me (When I Rock Wichoo)” also sticks out as an addictive, electrically-charged anthem, set to turn a fair few frowns upside down in the nation’s indie discos in the coming months. There are elements of The Cure, dashes of Suede, and occasional nods to Brandon Flowers on display, but they don’t encroach on the listening experience in any way; the overall variety and quality of songcraft is such that you’re too busy being swept away by the tunes to care about anything else.
Partie Traumatic has all the makings of being one of the albums of the year, thanks to this band’s glossy, yet emotional, take on modern guitar pop. So great is the record’s charm and charisma, that it is in the process of setting up Youngblood and his gang to be yet another example of an American band to follow the White Stripes / Strokes / Killers model, honing their skills and making waves over in Albion before a triumphant return Stateside to take on their homeland.
Anyone who had the pleasure of experiencing Black Kids’ Wizard of Ahhhs‘ EP last autumn will have seen this coming. Even though the mood is often one of trepidation when you set out to listen to the re-vamped, re-recorded versions of songs whose original demos showed so much promise and appeal, you just had an inkling that this lot were going to pull this off beautifully.