On Are You Nervous?, Rock Kills Kid display a deep affinity for ’80s acts such as Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, U2, and the Cure, yet rarely has a band wearing their influences this prominently on their sleeve sounded more refreshing. On the opening dance floor craze “Paralyzed,” the steady rockin’ “Hide Away,” the frenetic “Don’t Want To Stay,” the easy-going but evocative “Back To Life,” and the radio-ready title track, Rock Kills Kid demonstrate a knack for creating catc [Read More...]
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This is an excellent debut that I am surprised has received as little buzz as it has.
The comparisons to The Killers and The Bravery are valid but there are some differences. The Killers debut had a somewhat harder edge than this CD. Rock Kills Kid (RKK) songs are more similar to The Bravery but with better production and far better vocals.
The CD opens with the lead single Paralyzed a catchy danceable tune that should be RKK’s breakout like Somebody Told Me was for The Killers. There are really no throwaway tracks on the CD but I do agree that the first half of the record is stronger than the second half. These guys channel lots of the 80’s new wave groups as at times the vocals come off like Morrisey’s and the third track Midnight sounds like Seven and the Ragged Tiger era Duran Duran.
A big complaint many reviewers will have is the brevity of the CD - I believe it clocks in at 38 minutes. Personally, I would rather have a strong short CD than a double CD filled with largely disposable trash (do you hear me Red Hot Chili Peppers!). It is an easy record to get your arms completely around it quickly.
Great CD, catchy beats, excellent production. I just hope more people hear about RKK.
I have been a fan of the new-new wavers since I first heard The Killers back in mid-2004. I also really enjoyed The Bravery and the newest member of that niche, Rock Kills Kid.
Like most people, I got into them from their free song on iTunes. I ordered the CD and received it recently. I certainly was not disappointed in the purchase.
The music is definitely a throwback to the 80’s, which for me is great. There is definitely a Smiths influence and some Duran Duran (particularly “Astronaut,” Duran Duran’s newest, sounds very similar).
The opening song, “Paralyzed”, sets the mood of the album, which is that 80’s guitar-and-synth theme, but then the middle of the album loses a bit of that. I personally found some of the songs in the center, such as “Back to Life” and “Run Like Hell” to be a bit of a letdown, but the great sound does pick up again toward the end of the album. I think that the last two songs especiallly, “I Need You” and “Raise Your Hands”, are a fitting ending to the disc, particularly the last song.
If you are a fand of The Killers, The Bravery, The Smiths, Duran Duran or 24 Gone, you won’t be too disappointed. It’s a nice fresh sound when none of the above bands are coming out with anything new.