Konk

This is a great CD... I pop it in the CD player whenever I want to feel happy. The Kooks have a sound that is a mix of the Beatles, the Killers, and Sublime. Sounds like an unusual mix, but when it's all rolled together, it sounds awesome!

The Kooks follow in a long line of recent British bands that have defined themselves not only with irrepressibly catchy pop songs and lovelorn lyrics but also a well-developed ego to match. Singer Luke Pritchard had this to say about the band's latest album: "I want our singles to come on the radio and for people to literally have their heads blown off by them."

Their arrogance shows right off the bat on Konk's first single "Always Where I Need To Be," announcing itself with a bombastic riff and Pritchard's oft-annoying cockney accent. The Kooks have perfected the formula for the perfect pop song: doo-doo-doos in the chorus, Pritchard's amusing but contrived Jagger-esque howls, and a stuck-in-your-head beat.

"Mr. Maker" is recycled Britpop, "Shine On" is dripping with the corniest sentiments this side of the Goo Goo Dolls, and Pritchard's lyrics generally could use more than a little work. But it is guitarist Hugh Harris that saves the album. From the multi-tracked wizardry of "Do You Wanna" to the tasteful strumming on "Sway" to the ridiculously bouncy riffs and solos on virtually any song, Harris' work makes the album a relatively pleasing memory of Britpop's heyday.

Let me get this out of the way first; this album isn't as good as their brilliant debut "Inside in/inside out" (nothing here matches "Ooh la", "Naive" or even "I want you back"), but it's still rather good.

The first few times I listened to it, only 2 or 3 songs grabbed me and luckily I didn't write my review then. The album sounded more restrained and not as immediate (it still is) than their debut but it's grown on me.

Lead vocalist Luke Pritchard has a distinctive yelp of a voice which I quite like. The brilliant stomping dance/rock "Do you wanna" (with nice shimmery synths) reminds one of Franz Ferdinand and gets me bopping (his wailing at the end is priceless).

Things are definitely calmer and slower this time around, and they've mostly ditched the Ska influences which I loved. Despite this, the gentle "Gap" (with a groovy bassline) is another standout, as is the sunny clap-filled "Mr Maker" (which could fit into their debut).

Other good songs are the swaying "Stormy weather", the jangly ballad "Sway" (excellent guitar work, reminds me a bit of "I want you back"), the swinging but gentle retro sounding "Shine on", the bouncy faintly Ska-tinged "Down to the market", the acoustic "One last time" (with awesome howling for a chorus, another favourite of mine), the Folk-ish clowning around of "Tick of time" (with a Ska feel), and the hidden acoustic ballad "All over town".

I'm glad I gave this CD another chance as I was pleasantly surprised by its charm. This should prove just or almost as successful as their debut (it hit #1 in the UK). Looking forward to album #3.

This is the best rock CD I've heard since Jet: Shine On.

The CD has at least four, beautifully written, complicated, almost poetic love songs. Of course, it has a few less complicated "cock rockers" that will get you a speeding ticket. There also songs that fall somewhere in between.

I am tempted to call The Kooks "retro-rockers", but they're better than that. The music is too diverse and original. It's like a fusion of classic Stones, Oasis & The Cure. Sometimes they're down & dirty. Sometimes they're the sensitive new wave boy in love. Whatever it is, it's always fun and it always rocks.


Finally, I believe the Kook's singer is named Luke Pritcherd. The young man is blessed with a voice that can not be learned or imitated. It is heaven sent. It just feels unfair, that someone can sing & write songs almost as good as Lennon. It gets 4 stars, I'm too jealous to give 'em 5.

At first Konk didn't seem to have the strength of Inside In/Inside Out which I absolutely loved, but after a few listens I've changed my mind. Whether it's haunting melody of a ballad or a beat that makes you want to jump around, this album is a fantastic follow-up. "Mr. Maker" is my current favorite track, but with songs this good, I'm sure I'll have a new favorite next week.