The Kicks - The Kicks

Part of an early millennium pop/rock trend that places an emphasis on vocal harmonies, hook-filled songs, and tasteful guitar riffing above attitude and angst, the Kicks are the biggest thing to come out of Little Rock, AR, since Bill Clinton. Appealing to a young, mostly distaff audience who have grown up on the cotton candy-flavored punk-pop of bands like American Hi-Fi, the Donnas, and Sugarcult, the Kicks know their way around a song, frontman Scott Cook possessing a big, Robin Zander-style voice and a knack for melody. Guitarist Jason White is a better-than-average six-string technician, providing essential instrumental prowess that is familiar though seldom derivative, while the rhythm section of bassist Josh Faulkner and drummer Ryan Scott delivers a steady groove that sounds more southern California than Muscle Shoals. The proof is always in the songs, however, and the Kicks deliver the goods. "Mir," referencing the orbiting space station, is a charming flight of fancy with a big pop beat, while "Pop Star Radio Crown" decries the sorry state of radio in the context of a classic breakup song. "Radar" is more rock than pop, with taut guitars and howled vocals, and "Banana Seat" offers fond memories of young romance, the song roaring in like the Clash and rolling out like Cheap Trick, with White's guitar trembling like an excited teenager on a first date. Discordant and slow-paced, "The Real Soft One" sounds like a cross between Nirvana and the Cars, Cook's mournful vocals underlined by White's bittersweet guitar lines. Not afraid to wear the obvious influences on their artistic sleeve, the Kicks bring a new perspective to the old pop/rock clichés of young romance and cheap thrills. The band's self-titled debut makes a strong argument for radio airplay and pop stardom. ~ Rev. Keith A. Gordon, All Music Guide