BLACK KIDS Partie Traumatic (Red Ink/Sony BMG) Rating: NNNN
Contrary to what some holier-than-thou hipster website reviewers might think, the Black Kids’ debut record is really good. At its simplest, it’s a fun, engaging 80s-style pop disc that’s wildly energetic but not nauseatingly so. Nearly every track is single-worthy, but Listen To Your Body Tonight’s repetitive verses and infectious choruses easily make it one of the best songs here.
Unlike the UK’s the Ting Tings, who released a similarly frenetic record a few weeks ago, Black Kids don’t overdo it. The songs, while upbeat and oozing hooks, aren’t nearly as intense or obnoxious as some of their cohorts’ music.
If anything, the Kids make sure they don’t step over the precarious line separating thoughtful songwriting and unabashed power pop. While they could tone down the synth on their next effort, this disc definitely lives up to the hype.
Black Kids play the Mod Club October 5.
