French Kicks
Two Thousand
Startime/Vagrant

Unfortunately, this here review just needs to begin with a rant: Nobody seems to care about French Kicks. I don’t get it. I can’t think of one French Kicks review I’ve read where they’re not called boring or not referred to as a half-assed version of “insert-popular-New-York-garage-rock-band-here.” I’m sick and tired of it, and will attempt to put an end to it here.

You better not have stopped reading after the talk of boring and half-assed New York bands, because this just in, Mr. Pitchfork: French Kicks are just the opposite of that, creating some of the most original, fresh music out of New York. Sure, the band has seen its down days. Their debut full length, One Time Bells, was a bit too meandering, if not straight up boring (with the exception of the hot as burning coals motown jam “Close to Modern”). But little did every critic in the world know, their sophomore effort, The Trial of the Century, in all its synth-happy, motown-influenced glory, was practically the most enjoyable album of 2004.

The new record, Two Thousand is just an extension of this. The lazy but beautiful harmonies are still there, though in a more reduced roll. The fast as a speeding bullet, hi-hat dominated drumming is too. So are the subtle guitar and synth parts that don’t make any sense but somehow still work.

Though I am partial to The Trial of the Century, I can see how Two Thousand would be considered the more mature record. The drums sound nicer, bigger, just as off-kilter, and are played with more confidence. The guitars are a little more in the foreground and don’t sound as silly. The synths still sound ridiculous, but in a totally charming way.

I want to get more specific, so I will. With more and more listens, the number of standout tracks here decreases and the album rules as a whole. Of course, there still are some elements that stand out. “Cloche” rocks like a newer Walkmen song with its reverb and delayed guitar and steel drum-like keys, but honestly is better than anything that band has done since their first record. “Keep it Amazed” opens with an almost exact replica of the beat to “Oh Fine” from Trial…, which is clever, and consists of one of the stronger melodies during the verses. The end to “Basement: DC” features some smooth piano and loud drums and may be the highlight of the album. “England Just Will Not Let You Recover” also ends nicely; huge and beautiful, just the way I like it.

All these moments! Oh, and don’t forget, the album opens with a bang thanks to the 1-2 punch of “So Far We Are” and “Also Ran.”

After all this praise, I reveal my one complaint: song titles. My personal favorites are “Keep it Amazed” and “Hey I Wait I.” “Keep it Amazed,” though? Seriously bros, what does that even mean?

Okay, I feel bad now. I love what these boys are doing, I really do. Lawrence, Nick, Aaron, Josh, great job. You did it, a perfect follow up to one of my absolute favorite albums.

MP3
Also Ran 

Websites
http://www.frenchkicks.com
http://www.myspace.com/frenchkicks
http://www.vagrant.com
http://www.startimerecords.com