Genre: Indie/Alternative Rock
A Four piece band from Brighton, UK that formed in 2004 releasing a debut album in 2006 titled Inside In/Inside Out. The main influences was 60's rock and songs that they stated "catchy as hell" music and trying to recreate pieces of the same art which is what they did but modernising that sound. Throughout the tracks the song is very guitar orientated with Luke Pritchard unique vocal contributions and relatable lyrics that are associated with romance themes. Kooks got this record deal through fluke and just being in the right place at the right time after 3 months of forming. The band name comes from a David Bowie song "Kooks" and genuinely the word sounded appealing to the rest of the band. They sent of a few demos to venues to get some shows and luckily enough they gave it to a manager or a record company that wanted to sign them.
Band members
Luke Pritchard - Singer/Rhythm
Hugh Harris - Guitarist
Max Rafferty - Bass
Paul Garred - Drums
Thing I love about the Kooks sound is they're so clear with the guitar just like it was in the 60's being very clean. The common theme is romance within their songwriting. Their success was overshadowed from Arctic Monkeys and the band were grateful in not being thrown straight into the spotlight when they released the album.
Artwork
Pretty straight forward cover of the bands premature getting together and constant jamming to quickly create this album, doing as many live performances as they could to develop material and finding their sound.
Track Listing
Track 1 - Seaside
To start the song of with a slow song does puzzle me because I would of put this at the end. Just quite a miserable song about wanting to go to the seaside to begin the album. Although very catchy for a very downbeat song just involving a guitar, it makes you anticipate what is actually going to come next and wanting more. The song meaning obviously a sad love song, wanting to reminisce going back to the seaside with a loved one. The fact the singer was brave enough to show his fragile side and weariness in his voice is very brave and unique!
Track 2 - See The World
Finally the band plug in the guitar and start the song of with a bang. Obviously a song thats going to happen to the band now they're touring. Travelling the world and having this opportunity which is the perfect song to write about.
Track 3 - Sofa Song
Fast acoustic guitar which I love. The distinctive voice is something that makes Kooks recognisable. They bring their own style to the table and show off with their talents. Maybe about a girl you want your friends to accept, or maybe about a guy liking this girl for her riches or the other way round, yours. The song was a inspired from The Smiths being a playful melody but having this dark side towards it.
Track 4 - Eddie's Gun
Song is about a man blowing his load to fast during sex and having a erectile dysfunction. This was about one of the members within the band and his struggles between his girlfriend.
Track 5 - Ooh La
The song was inspired by model Audrey Linvdvall that past away prematurely at such a young age of 23. She was hit by a truck in the United States (Kansas City) destroying her potential promising career that she was destined to have.
Track 6 - You Don't Love Me
Track 7 - She's Moves In Her Own Way
A song inspired through jealousy to your ex thats just dumped you and your inspired to move onto better things. A song that involves a lot of sway involving melodic guitar sounds they use. The melody flows perfectly with the catchy lyrics and beat of the music.
Track 8 - Matchbox
This is just a perfect song to feel like you belong to a group and your having fun with them getting up to all sorts of mischief as an adolescent. This of course after you've got rid of the girlfriend and becoming more free within your group of friends and being more yourself. Also a reference at the end "Oh my Julia, I'll never betray you my love" is of a scene in George Orwells "Nineteen Eighty Four" where the main character declares that he will never betray her, but in the story he does.
Track 9 - Naive
Catchy lyrics that went popular with its raunchy guitar and beat.
Track 10 - I Want You
"I want you back" Very self explanatory with what the singers feeling right here.
Track 11 - If Only
Fast rock song that gets its lyrics out to you fast. The pace is awesome in this song and has such a flow to you for a good alternative rock sound.
Track 12 - Jackie Big Tits
Awesome acoustic guitar intro then coming Luke's Brighton accent. If your not used to it by now its not going to work for you. The song is of a story of meeting a girl and the meaning could interpret of a girl who sleeps around the place while your obsessed with her but it could mean yourself. A very catchy melodic acoustic rock song!
Track 13 - Time Awaits
I like the plucks of the guitar intro of this.
Track 14 - Got No Love
Live Performances
I've seen the Kooks once in my lifetime and it was with my cousin in Portsmouth! They were pretty awesome and knew how to hold a stage presence. The band played a endless set and had high energy whilst performing and were very clear and interactive with the crowd. They still tour to this day and have recently just released an EP (2014) Don't think they've revived their rock sound like this album though just yet!
A song inspired from the break up of Katie Melua at the time that Luke Pritchard was dating her. He met her at Brit School in Croydon, London a performing arts institution with the likes of Adele, Amy Winehouse, Lilly Allen coming from there!
Merchandise
The merchandise I have is of a standard black shirt with just a big red font of The Kooks on the front. None of them that I saw at the gig were that complex or outrageous. Just a simple brand with no real message of the bands name. You can get mugs, key rings, necklace and boxers with The Kooks name on it.
Rating
I remember giving this to my friend on his birthday but the annoying thing that his mum bought the same CD. How annoying! So I got a copy of it too and I loved every second of it! Me and my friend listened to it constantly and always stuck it on a background music or something to jam out together. This album means a lot to me and I'm rating it 10/10 for being something new and experimental which it is!
10/10!
Track 1 - Seaside
To start the song of with a slow song does puzzle me because I would of put this at the end. Just quite a miserable song about wanting to go to the seaside to begin the album. Although very catchy for a very downbeat song just involving a guitar, it makes you anticipate what is actually going to come next and wanting more. The song meaning obviously a sad love song, wanting to reminisce going back to the seaside with a loved one. The fact the singer was brave enough to show his fragile side and weariness in his voice is very brave and unique!
Track 2 - See The World
Finally the band plug in the guitar and start the song of with a bang. Obviously a song thats going to happen to the band now they're touring. Travelling the world and having this opportunity which is the perfect song to write about.
Track 3 - Sofa Song
Fast acoustic guitar which I love. The distinctive voice is something that makes Kooks recognisable. They bring their own style to the table and show off with their talents. Maybe about a girl you want your friends to accept, or maybe about a guy liking this girl for her riches or the other way round, yours. The song was a inspired from The Smiths being a playful melody but having this dark side towards it.
Track 4 - Eddie's Gun
Song is about a man blowing his load to fast during sex and having a erectile dysfunction. This was about one of the members within the band and his struggles between his girlfriend.
Track 5 - Ooh La
The song was inspired by model Audrey Linvdvall that past away prematurely at such a young age of 23. She was hit by a truck in the United States (Kansas City) destroying her potential promising career that she was destined to have.
Track 6 - You Don't Love Me
Track 7 - She's Moves In Her Own Way
A song inspired through jealousy to your ex thats just dumped you and your inspired to move onto better things. A song that involves a lot of sway involving melodic guitar sounds they use. The melody flows perfectly with the catchy lyrics and beat of the music.
Track 8 - Matchbox
This is just a perfect song to feel like you belong to a group and your having fun with them getting up to all sorts of mischief as an adolescent. This of course after you've got rid of the girlfriend and becoming more free within your group of friends and being more yourself. Also a reference at the end "Oh my Julia, I'll never betray you my love" is of a scene in George Orwells "Nineteen Eighty Four" where the main character declares that he will never betray her, but in the story he does.
Track 9 - Naive
Catchy lyrics that went popular with its raunchy guitar and beat.
Track 10 - I Want You
"I want you back" Very self explanatory with what the singers feeling right here.
Track 11 - If Only
Fast rock song that gets its lyrics out to you fast. The pace is awesome in this song and has such a flow to you for a good alternative rock sound.
Track 12 - Jackie Big Tits
Awesome acoustic guitar intro then coming Luke's Brighton accent. If your not used to it by now its not going to work for you. The song is of a story of meeting a girl and the meaning could interpret of a girl who sleeps around the place while your obsessed with her but it could mean yourself. A very catchy melodic acoustic rock song!
Track 13 - Time Awaits
I like the plucks of the guitar intro of this.
Track 14 - Got No Love
Live Performances
I've seen the Kooks once in my lifetime and it was with my cousin in Portsmouth! They were pretty awesome and knew how to hold a stage presence. The band played a endless set and had high energy whilst performing and were very clear and interactive with the crowd. They still tour to this day and have recently just released an EP (2014) Don't think they've revived their rock sound like this album though just yet!
A song inspired from the break up of Katie Melua at the time that Luke Pritchard was dating her. He met her at Brit School in Croydon, London a performing arts institution with the likes of Adele, Amy Winehouse, Lilly Allen coming from there!
Merchandise
The merchandise I have is of a standard black shirt with just a big red font of The Kooks on the front. None of them that I saw at the gig were that complex or outrageous. Just a simple brand with no real message of the bands name. You can get mugs, key rings, necklace and boxers with The Kooks name on it.
Rating
I remember giving this to my friend on his birthday but the annoying thing that his mum bought the same CD. How annoying! So I got a copy of it too and I loved every second of it! Me and my friend listened to it constantly and always stuck it on a background music or something to jam out together. This album means a lot to me and I'm rating it 10/10 for being something new and experimental which it is!
10/10!
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