On their full-length debut, Keep on Your Mean Side, the Kills deliver on the promise of their Black Rooster EP, serving up more of their sneering, sexy blues-punk with a little more polish and premeditation. It's easy to lump them in with the current crop of garage rock revivalists -- and granted, the band bears more than a passing resemblance to the White Stripes' bluesy sound and boy-girl lineup -- but Keep on Your Mean Side suggests that the Kills' true lineage comes from a darker, more poetic strain of rock. Naturally, ...
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On their full-length debut, Keep on Your Mean Side, the Kills deliver on the promise of their Black Rooster EP, serving up more of their sneering, sexy blues-punk with a little more polish and premeditation. It's easy to lump them in with the current crop of garage rock revivalists -- and granted, the band bears more than a passing resemblance to the White Stripes' bluesy sound and boy-girl lineup -- but Keep on Your Mean Side suggests that the Kills' true lineage comes from a darker, more poetic strain of rock. Naturally, the Velvet Underground are a major influence, particularly on the ominous, droning guitar work that forms the backbone of "Kissy Kissy." On songs like "Superstition," shades of punk poetesses like Chrissie Hynde, Patti Smith, and (especially) PJ Harvey color VV's sultry, commanding delivery, which is about as far from her work with her former band, Discount, as it's possible to get with the same set of vocal cords. And on "Fuck the People" and other charged duets between her and guitarist/vocalist Hotel, the Kills have some of the Bonnie & Clyde romance that made Royal Trux so great. The pair doesn't quite outdo their inspirations yet -- they're not as inventive, dramatic, or volatile as the aforementioned artists -- but the Kills do combine these elements in a way that's relatively fresh and distinctive. Keep on Your Mean Side includes re-recorded versions of three of the best songs from Black Rooster: the "f*ck and fight" duet of the title track; "Cat Claw," which boasts snarly VV vocals and even snarlier guitar licks from Hotel; and "Wait," a countrified, acoustic number that demonstrates the band's range. These new versions -- recorded along with the rest of the album at London's Toerag Studios -- are far from hi-fi, but miss the recorded-in-the-basement quality that gave the originals more of an underground feel. Though the album could use a bit more grit and grime, it's still remarkably solid, with songs like the driven "Hitched" and the surprisingly sweet "Gypsy Death & You" spanning the extremes of the Kills' sound and proving that Black Rooster was just a taste of what the band had to offer. Likewise, Keep on Your Mean Side hints at greater heights (or scuzzier, more elegantly wasted depths) that the Kills will hopefully scale on later albums. ~ Heather Phares, Rovi
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Add this copy of Keep on Your Mean Side to cart. $2.00, good condition, Sold by Books From California rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Simi Valley, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by DO NOT USE.
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Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Keep on Your Mean Side to cart. $3.98, very good condition, Sold by Movie Surplus rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Mobile, AL, UNITED STATES, published 2003.
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Very Good. Used-Very Good Condition. Case and disc(s) is in great condition with no significant scratches or marks. Includes original artwork and liner notes when applicable.
Add this copy of Keep on Your Mean Side to cart. $4.00, very good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by Sanctuary.
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Very good. Includes disc(s), case, booklet, and back artwork. May show slight wear. Disc(s) are professionally cleaned and may contain only light scratches that do not effect functionality.
Add this copy of Keep on Your Mean Side to cart. $15.99, good condition, Sold by Half Price Books Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Domino Record Co.
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Good. Providing great vinyl and media since 1972. All used records are inspected and guaranteed. May have wear and minor issues from previous owner. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Keep on Your Mean Side to cart. $27.59, new condition, Sold by Salzer's Records rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from ventura, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Domino Record Co.
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Kills. New. New in new packaging. USA Orders only! Brand New product! please allow delivery times of 3-7 business days within the USA. US orders only please.
Add this copy of Keep on Your Mean Side to cart. $35.03, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Domino.
