Elly Roberts reviews

1990s: Kicks

Distributed by
Rough Trade Records

Released: March 2009

Rating: 10/10

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Whopping power-pop. Could be new pop kings 2009.

Art rockers 1990s are a Glasgow trio with similar ambitions to Franz Ferdinand – creating memorable pop, with a twist. We all know that ‘pop’ has become a dirty word. I don’t know why.

Anyway, this outfit seem to straddle the indie -pop divide, which is good news for them, and us. In many ways, they’re a more accomplished band than FF. Their repertoire is far classier and broader. On an interesting historical note, singer Jackie McKeon and bassist Jamie Mc Morrow (now departed and replaced by new-boy Dino Bardot) were in The Yummy Fir, along with no less, FF’s frontman Alex Kapranos and drummer Paul Thompson. So it looks like Kapranos and co. beat 1990s to winning-post of stardom. Things could change.

The content of Kicks? Well, it’s a bit of a teenage thing in some ways really – ex, current, future and fictional girlfriends – the usual rock’n’roll stuff. Also, there’s more ‘exotic’ and topical references to Mongolian Warlords, Bears, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (a Dutch footballer with Celtic), former German terrorists Baader-Meinhoff (oddly) and the mysterious world of Scientology. A fair old mix then boys.

Still, they know how to bang out a belter, and that’s their mission statement on the opening track Vondelpark. It has all the danceable qualities FF have been striving for on their last album. This has more edge and rasp though: a catchy indie pop record with dollops of ‘oh, oh, oh’ and blistering guitar solo. Again, Tell Me When You’re Ready is another foot-tapping gem, funky bass-line and sharp chord crunching with an even sharper solo. This could be Bowie during his Ashes To Ashes period.

Bardot, the (lucky?) bassist was once propositioned at a San Francisco party, so I Don’t Even Know What That Is humorously tells of his near alarming encounter. Something to do with a Halloween party and outfits borrowed from a porn studio. Rock’n’Roll eh?

59, is one of their finest moments. Bardot’s bass is creamy and funky which drives this honeyed gem, about a bus journey from Glasgow suburb Pollockshields to Brigadoon and Narnia with drummer Michael McGaughrin checking-out the chicks. The melodies and harmonies are sucked somewhere from the West Coast of California.

Riffs and picks are all over the next whopper, Everybody Please Relax, though they find some space for stylish collective harmonising mid-way. In their day Blondie had some great basslines, and that’s what Bardot’s introduced on thrusting pop classic Balthazar. Why not a single guys?

In total contrast, Local Science is a brooding ballad that has shades of the darker side of Led Zeppelin keyboard (melotron) outings, in parts. Of all the tracks, the harmonising here is sensational. Matching FF’s power-laden single Ulysses, The Box is an absolute monster. Big drums, choppy riffs, and big chorus - Another single guys! Duffy producer Bernard Butler worked this. It shows.

The verdict – Infectious. Great album.

Weblink: 1990s.tv

Radio: Hear tracks soon on THE PLUG at wrexham.com

The full list of tracks included are :

1. Vondel Park 2. Tell Me When You’re Ready 3. I Don’t Even Know Even Know What That Is 4. 59 5. Kickstrasse 6. Everybody Please Relax 7. Balthazar 8. Local Science 9. The Box 10. Giddy Up 11. The Kids 12. Sparks

Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.

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