1990s - Kicks (2009)

By Felicity Rennie

"Kicks" is the second album from Glasgow group 1990s and, as is usually the case and always a relief, is a stronger offering than their 2007 debut "Cookies".

There is grunt here where before stood young men on the cusp of a murmur, and there is a feeling that the oomph or driving force behind this has gained a momentum that will proffer many albums to come.

Invoking much of the current British scene (59 could almost be mistaken for Razorlight), there is sounds of the Kaiser Chiefs, The Fratellis and Kasabian here, but with broad Scottish accents (particularly on Sparks), and a light hearted pop element that harks back to their first album and will have the most stubborn of feet tapping (I Don’t Even Know What That Is) . 

All is treated intelligently and with a keen sense of where British music is, has been and could be, and these guys are more than willing to have their place in that scheme firmly cemented.

Punters will enjoy tracks like The Box, which has a classic Oasis sound, and will be impressed by Everybody Please Relax, which is Britpop at its best.

Choppy pop lines and guitar tracks, interspersed with beautiful harmonies.

The Kids is uncharacteristic of the band, but is beautiful nonetheless, and in some ways acts to display the band’s abilities in areas other than pop.

It is, however, pseudo title track Kickstrasse that is the standout of the album, and perhaps suggests an underlying INXS inspiration here and that maybe the similarities in album titles is no coincidence.

This is what will become known as "the classic 1990s sound", and the boys have done well to create this element of uniqueness that can often get forgotten along the pop production line.

If you like the British sound of today and have an appreciation for the British sound of the nineties, enjoy some solid pop rock, and can forgive a little ballad indulgence, you will enjoy this.

Steer clear if you got excited when I used the word "grunt" – there is grunt here, compared to the last album, but this will not offend, and will not fully satisfy a hearty rock appetite.

That said, this is an impressive follow up, and the "difficult third album" is definitely something to look forward to.

RATING: 4 out of 5

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