Black Kids – Partie Traumatic
Black Kids’ debut album “Partie Traumatic” is surely one of the highly anticipated debut albums of the summer. That comes from the strength of their first single “I’m Not Going To Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance.” Then the leader singer of the band recently said in the NME that he “managed to hustle a career with no god-given talents whatsoever.” He is correct on some levels this is not the most talented bunch you will find out there. They do remember that they are young and they always have fun.
All four of the songs from the bands debut EP “Wizard Of Ahhhs” return in re-recorded glory on this record. The record starts off with the Cure like ‘Hit The Heartbreaks.” Then the band focus on the naughty side of life with ‘Listen To Your Body Tonight.” The song is about sex and vocalist Dawn talks about various things she wants to do. It is an erotic and sexy little number that gives the album and early dose of naughty. “Hurricane Jane” still comes across as a little boring to me. The track is well placed in the middle as it is a great bridge song. “I’ve Underestimated My Charm (Again)” has this delightful innocence to it and homage to the 50s that you just don’t get on the album elsewhere. Then we get the two tracks “I’m Not Gonna Teach…” and “Love Me Already.” “I’m Not Gonna Teach” is a going to become a stable song for the year. Then “Love Me Already” is a lot of fun to listen to with the back and forth vocal. Then the album kind of dies out there for me as the last two track “I Wanna Be Your Limousine” and “Look At Me” would find better homes as bsides to a single.
“Partie Traumatic” is rough record to judge. The four songs from “Wizard of Ahhhs” are what really carry the album. If we did not have those it would be a pretty rough affair here. “Love Me Already” shows some promise out of the new material but it still could of used that second killer song.
By John Siwicki
