Kills - Black Rooster Ep

  by Maarten Schiethart

published: 3 / 11 / 2002

Label: Domino Records
Format: CDS

intro

Debut EP from forceful new Portland group, strongly reminiscent of Sonic Youth, the Strokes and White Stripes

So, it's dark in the underground and it smells like teen spirit and violence. Maybe they are simply more wasted youth from the US, but Portland, Oregon's the Kills sound like they are a force that need to be reckoned with, and combine together in a unique blend old skool Sonic Youth ethics with nu skool Sonic melodies. They also, however, follow in the tracks of the Strokes and White Stripes, but still manage to beat the hype. The Black Rooster E.P.  is an 8-track recording upon which VV the singer acts as shoutster, while Hotel, the other member, is jack of all trades. This is lo-fi punkpop and rock and roll that will make you feel like you are in the driving seat and chasing  through curves like reverbs. 'Black Rooster' the title track and the outstanding song on this EP is built around one simple bass riff. On 'Wait' the Kills delve yet deeper into New York music history , and it sounds like the sort of song that Velvet Underground would have wanted on their playlist. Captain Beefheart's 'Drop Out Boogie' meanwhile gets covered in some fine mud on the last of the 5 tracks.

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