The Kooks have returned with “Konk” the follow to their 2006 debut album “Inside In the Inside Out”. “Konk” consists of 12 songs and runs about 43 minutes in length, noticeable shorter than there debut album, it appears the goal of this album to show perhaps that less is more. In my opinion this album is just as good as their debut, it has its fair share of downs, but the ups overshadow them much like “Inside in the Inside out”. “See the Sun” is a fairly short, mid tempo song, that kicks off the album in a similar fashion that “Seaside” began “Inside In the Inside Out”, consider it as a slightly lengthier, more rocking “Seaside”.
Lead single “Always Where I Need to Be” is up next and it is what a lead single should be, it is brief, catchy, rocking, and it will leave you wanting more. “Mr. Maker” is a song that will grow on you, while at first I didn’t care much for this song, by the third listen somehow I ready know all the lyrics and I can not stop bobbing my head up and down, while playing really bad air guitar.
The song that defines the album and I am betting will the song that perhaps even defines The Kooks for future generations is up next. “Do You Wanna” is seer perfection, it is something The Rolling Stones only wish they could write that the moment. I admit I liked the album but I was not as thrilled with it as I wanted to be, until I heard this song. I only wish this was the lead single, I am not quite sure why it isn’t, but I have listened to this song 15 times in row after first hearing it and I still can’t get enough of it. It contains ever element a true rock and roll song needs, rocking riffs, sexy lyrics, catchy chorus, and most of all it doesn’t overstay its welcome.
“Gap” is a good song but it is a letdown after “Do You Wanna” but honestly not a lot could. “Gap” is another soft melodic song from The Kooks, it’s the type of song they do well, and it will make a good sing along at a concert. “Love it All” follows “Gap” and at this point it is the worst song on the album. Cheesy chorus and the band sounds kind of lazy on it, thankfully it is under 3 minutes. Think of this song like R.E.M.’s “The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite”, with the chorus being repeated over and over, but unlike R.E.M.’s song, the chorus is meaningless.
“Stormy Weather” picks the album back up from its slumber. The bass kicks within the first several seconds of the song and The Kooks are back in rock and roll mode. The song could shave off of a minute and it may be a good future single too. “Sway” brings the band back into mid tempo rock setting, with lead singer Luke Pritchard's vocals and lyrics getting nicely showcased, mix in front of the music in stead of mixed in with. “Shine On” is a beautiful rocker. Next to “Do you Wanna”, it is the best example of why The Kooks may be our generations answer to The Rolling Stones. Similar to The Rolling Stones classic songs like ‘Torn and Frayed”, “Dead Flowers” or “Honky Tonk Woman”, The Kooks incorporate a country twang while not losing that rock and roll element. “Down to the Market” is mod rock song, the shortest song on the album and another one to give you an excuse to crank up the volume on your sound system.
“One Last Time” is song about heartbreak, as you might assume from the title. While the lyrics don’t necessarily go as far as they need to, to make you feel the singer’s pain, the music gives it a good accompaniment. “Tick of Time” is a funny, yet weird way to close the album. The hidden track at the end, “All Over Town” might be a better way to end the album. “All Over Town” once again reminds me of The Rolling Stones, “All Over Town” acts like an acoustic “It’s All Over Now”, but it is a sweet song to send off the listener too. Now the problem with “Tick of Time” is that it partly sounds like a studio outtake that perhaps would be better suited on a b-side. However at the same time is a simple and fun song they captures The Kooks off the guard and just having a laugh and in the end it is all you really expect and perhaps want, from a band like The Kooks. Rating: B
Song Ratings:
- See the Sun 4/5
- Always Where I Need to Be 5/5
- Mr. Maker 4/5
- Do You Wanna 6/5
- Gap 3/5
- Love it All 2/5
- Stormy Weather 3/5
- Sway 4/5
- Shine On 4/5
- Down to the Market 5/5
- One Last Time 4/5
- Tick of Time 4/5
- All
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