The Kitshickers Guide To The Galaxy
Oh yes, my favourite Luxembourgers are back and this time they are out for more then a one off review by a dodgy Brit, they are after your attention. Since I last spoke to the guys, a lot has happened. They have gone from the club circuit to supporting King Prawn and are getting ready to play the Westend Festival in Belgium which also is set to include, among others, Linkin Park.
From the outset of opener 'Plasmo' you can hear how the band have progressed since their debut album.The Placebo-esque instrumental has you swaying before going into which has a feel of Nirvana to it, especially towards the last minute with the slightly distorted chords before the band rock out for the finale.
The thing with the Kitshickers is that sometimes I think they should do MORE instrumental stuff. Don't get me wrong, Gilles is a more then competent frontman but the thing that makes them stand out is the musicianship and craft of their instruments... musically they are one of the most talented bands I have heard in years! Tracks like '21-15' would stand up to songs like 'Evil Dildo' on all fronts without the vocals, especially with almost carousel like break towards the end of the song before kicking in FULLY again for the last 30 seconds.
But the band also know how to rock as well as being musically stunning. The octane powered punk intro to the track 'Sometimes' proves that and the Ramones-esque insertion of a '1,2,3,4' lyric just adds to that feeling that they can do the short, sharp stuff as well as the 5 or 6 minute tracks (of which there are many on the album).
'Little Voices, Little People' is 8 minutes of pure talent, unbridled and let free. Starting like a jam session before ripping into the main with guitar riffs that would make Matt Bellamy feel inadequate... and all this when the band are still in their only twenties! Then half way through, the band seem to change songs completely.
69 minutes later and the album is over. Compared to the first album, this is a VAST improvement. The potential has been recognised, the recording quality is of A1 quality (something that really let down the debut) and they have taken that step further to the recognition that they deserve.
To get hold of a copy of this or their debut album, Mental Rape, contact
kitshickers@hotmail.com.
Rating: 4/5
Author: Colin Weston