Once upon a time Black Kids were the band of the moment. Their debut album Partie Traumatic, released in 2008 (was it really that long ago?) was voted one of Spin magazine’s top 40 albums of that year and included catchy anthems of dancefloor angst like “Hurricane Jane” and “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You”.
In many ways, they were hard to define: were they an indie band or a pop act? And why ‘Black Kids’? Three out the five were white.
I had heard the above singles and they had tugged my heartstrings a bit, but the band vanished from my radar. Then I saw the album in Liverpool Central Library, borrowed it and quickly became addicted. Every song seems to be set in a party or disco, or captures the messy, intoxicated (in every way), painful and ecstatic mood of being young and sociable.
Produced by ex-Sueded guitarist Bernard Butler, the music is fresh indie guitar-pop filtered with 80’s disco-synth sounds and danceable grooves.
Vocalist Reggie sounds like a more feisty version of The Cure’s Robert Smith – with a head cold, backed up by Dawn Watley who has a voice somewhat like Kathleen Hanna.
The lyrics are funny and catty: “I must repeat/I think you’re sweet/but aint no way that I’m going to meet/your mother, you father/your dog and your brother/your nephew and niece, girl/I just can’t be bothered!…” – Hit the Heartbrakes
This album has lifted me out of a lot of bad moods, whenever I’ve been feeling wounded and inadequate, like a teenager basically. It reminds me that crying and dancing can still be the best thing in the world.
Tom George 