The Kooks new album Junk Of The Heart sure as hell isn’t going to deliver any earth-shattering curveballs in terms of the musical direction they’ve chosen, nor is it going to top the previous success they’ve enjoyed with Inside In/Inside Out and Konk but I’ll tell you what it IS going to do – make you wish you’d never bought it.
Despite what the band would have you believe Junk Of The Heart is hardly a departure from their signature sound unless you factor in the lack of spontaneity and energy that made their previous albums great.
Sure, it will charm you with its happy-go-lucky vibes on the first few listens, but it’s unfortunately one of those albums you can play on repeat for an afternoon (on Saturday I did just that) and come out the other side not really remembering one single track.
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Sick Tracks
The gentle, dreamy acoustic ditty “Petulia†stood out for me because of its clean, stripped-down production and rich acoustic tone. The kind of song summers are made of, whistful and nostalgic. Even has birds chirping in the background. Lovely.
“Junk Of The Heart†is also a winner. Boasting one of the only hooks that actually finds its mark on the album and a sneaky psychedelic guitar solo / bridge, it’s a great opener to an otherwise pretty mediocre album.
With its fuzzy basslines, “Mr Nice Guy†is a notable departure from the other material on the album but comes to an abrupt end before it feels like it’s actually gotten anywhere.
The rest all smack of “mehâ€. There isn’t one track on this album that could hold a flame to “Naive†or “Ooh La†or “Always Where I Need To Be†or even “Seasideâ€.
![](http://www.slicktiger.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/the-kooks.png)
Should You Give A Shit?
Nope. You really shouldn’t. At it’s best all this album really adds up to is playlist filler. The next time you have some friends over to enjoy a nice cuppa Chamomile tea, this album will be right at home playing quietly in the background.
Here’s “Petulia†for you to listen to while you drift off to a faraway land to feed the ducks.
Final verdict: 5/10
-ST
i disagree, all the kooks albums are shit..
Hahaha! I guess the sad truth here is that I like them, but not enough to actually challenge you outright about that comment.
They’re kinda like the Jet of indie pop…
-ST