I love this Black Kids review from the Associated Press:
The Black Kids are, with their debut album “Partie Traumatic,” instantly the coolest “kids” in music. They’ve taken everything modern and relevant — from Killers-esque vocals to non-retro synth work — and rolled it into one of the best albums of the year without a sour track in sight.
They ought to sell iPods with this permanently burned into the memory so you’ll never lose it. Who knew Jacksonville, Fla., could produce a band this fun?
I agree, not because I’m a Black Kids fanboy, but because it is seriously good. The Wizard of Ahhhs EP should have been called the Wizard of Ehhhs. I wasn’t looking forward to the new album, but I’ve heard the whole thing now and I can concur with the review above. There isn’t (really) a bad track on the album. Everything has been reproduced from top to bottom and it doesn’t sound like the Black Kids you knew, but it’s still the Black Kids you love.
Hear for yourself on Traumatic Tuesday at Mark’s next week, July 22nd. Biggie Tea and I will play the entire album. We’ll Partie all night. Also, thanks for the tip Biggie!
Traumatic Tuesday. Perfect.
I listened to the new record the other day. Gotta say i find it the other way around– ‘Partie ehhh’. The Ep had a fun motown vibe to it, but the new one is all 80s synths and stuff– not my bag. But good luck to them!
Just Sayin’!
that article also called owen the “indie bass gold standard.” couldn’t agree more. the bass on the album is amazing.
ooooo…must check it out!
I hate to say it, but I like it.
unlike that rolly polly ass muncher Stephen Dare!
Your man boobs disgust me.
Woo… that’s my T-Shirt design you posted!
dangit! timmy beat me to it. joey, thanks for the review tip, butcha left out the best part: the worshipful, almost reverential characterization of owen’s bass chops. that’s right, owen, of our lil ole folio weekly flog fame, is being described in the same vein as one would describe a modern music legend:
“Love Me Already” is a sweetest track on the disc thanks to Owen Holmes displaying ridiculous funky chops on the bass. He creeps and crawls and solos on the fretboard and outshines the singer, keyboardist and anyone else in the studio. Holmes is the new indie bass gold standard.
Really? THE new gold standard? Wow-I’ll take it!
not to argue semantics but black kids aren’t really an “indie” band except that they independently made music and then got signed to a label. i’m sorry, but (at least in my present reality) the black kid’s aren’t the makings of any “modern musical legend” and i don’t think they’ve set out to be. they’re good at what they do, but no need to overly gush because they’re from jacksonville. that doesn’t really say much for the actual music. good job on the review, though, those who worked and deserved it and not for the ego of jacksonville’s “indie” consensus.
shut up dogon. you talk too much shit
@dogon
I think there is every reason to gush. They’re bringing much needed positive press to our city. Especially in a segment where we get little if no press, lifestyle publications like music magazines and late night television shows. Anything we can do to generate buzz and show people that Jacksonville isn’t all greyhound racing and sprawl is fine by me and deserves attention and notice from the people in this city.
JORRRRRRRRRTTTTTS!
not sooo glowing…
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/51246-black-kids-partie-traumatic
Originally, way earlier this morning, that P-Fork review said “Sorry, we all make mistakes” and was credited to another writer.
Just Sayin’!
The sad thing about Jacksonville and any sort of scene (art, mustic, lit, whatever); is that when someone has a modicum of success, others have to tear them down. We have gone through many cycles of this, and I bet we will again. This is the reason that Jacksonville never gets anywhere. Some people join together to do something positive and then begin fighting one another.
I hear soooo much shit talked about Black Kids. Usually, from someone who is in a crappy band or is a failed musician or both. I think people here would rather listen to someone hit “cue” and “play” then anything live that isn’t a bigger band. This is why most bands would rather NOT play in Jax. Why would they, when they get a much better response out of town?
Also, lets be perfectly honest, a large percentage of people would rather go listen to the same songs than support anything new. Let’s see. Fugazi - Waiting Room (check), Mudhoney - Touch me I’m Sick (check). I enjoy the old stuff too, and have a great time listening to it and dancing foolishly, but then again that doesn’t mean that I refuse to listen to new music or support new things. I don’t see any difference between the above mentality and the fact that my dad wants to listen to Creedence and America on a constant basis. Age isn’t what gets you, its giving up on trying to find new things that is the real killer.
This isn’t a call out to support home grown music or art, that has been tried and failed many times. Nor, am I trying to dissuade anyone from getting out there and trying to make things happen for their band or their art or whatever they want to do. This is merely what I think about the perpetual state of things in this little town.
Nate,
I agree with you on the Jacksonville thing.
I wasn’t meaning to knock the Kids by putting up the negative pitchfork review… more like a comment on Pitchfork.
Remember they did the same thing to Max, and it was good how he shrugged it off.
It’s always important to take ALL the reviews with a grain of salt (the good and the bad). People who have been in crappy bands with me, have all heard that speech before (I always mistrusted the positive ones of my own bands more.. because I always knew how crappy we were).
Hopefully those who know me personally (like you) know I have always been a staunch supporter of local music…..
Plus as I have said before, there are not many more people in Jax more deserving of breaking out than the guys in the Black Kids - regardless of me liking or disliking it. Incidentally I like the rerecordings better than the original version of the ones I have heard. I still find my often find myself singing “you are the girl…” way too often.
Dennie,
That wasn’t directed at you, rather Jacksonville as a whole. So, if you took it that way, I apologize.
In the grand scheme of things, I don’t think Jacksonville even really realizes who Black Kids are, what music they play or the fact that they played on Letterman last night.
It’s nothing against their music whatsoever, it’s good they’re achieving success especially spawning from the dingy floors of TSI. I wish them further luck.
I agree. I don’t think thats a bad thing though as most of this town is hator nation. We are counting the days until there is a times union story about their insensitive name and derivitive sound and all the comments about how crappy they are. I can wait for that kind of exposure. BTW Lackawanna should be next!
I agree with Biggie on Lackawanna. Then again, would they really want to go through the build you up to tear you down bullshit?
I notice in the music press, not to mention any national press that the mention of Jacksonville must also include tongue in check references to Waffle House, rednecks, etc., although the Pitckform review skipped it this time their lack of respect for anyone not living in a “cool” city is pretty obvious. How anyone can form an opinion about a place by spending a matter of hours or never visiting at all? Then again, elitist music “taste makers” are usually trying to further their own careers rather than give an honest review of anything, hence the pugs. While majors may be starting to die off (good) sites like Pitchfork are lining up to take thier place (bad). Meet the new boss; same as the old boss……..