July 22, 2008
Where's the Partie
Black Kids are throwing a party and a fit. On their debut jam Partie Traumatic, these five Jacksonville twentysomethings turn hormonal rage into a celebration of sexual confusion and conquest.
Guitarist/vocalist Reggie Youngblood’s adenoidal whine is ideal for these songs of pent-up frustration. He’s like Gothfather Robert Smith moping over the prom queen, only Black Kids don’t do drone; they herky-jerk like an American Arctic Monkeys, except with dance-floor rhythms and loads of femme background vocals. Internet sensation “I’m Not Going to Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You” distills their snotty charm — pogo rhythms, sly lyrics and a sing-along chorus that’s like the whole group sticking its collective tongue at you.
That aural raspberry’s all in good fun. Youngblood’s just giving voice to his animal urges and disappointments, in that order. When he says it’s “hot as balls” in opener “Hit the Heartbrakes,” he’s not just giving us a weather report. He’s in the midst of a scorching party that’s both traumatic and very exciting.
Partie Traumatic is available today from Columbia Records.
We’re not ashamed to say we love Keane, but the London trio will never be hip. When they hit it big in 2004 with the agonizingly sincere “Somewhere Only We Know,” ... more
The story of Jobriath — the openly gay ‘70s glam artist who called himself rock’s first “True Fairy” — is a tale told in reverse. Born Bruce Wayne Campbell, ... more
Cabaret/drag artist Joey Arias — currently starring Off-Broadway in Arias with a Twist — takes over today’s Modern Tonic to rave about Semi Precious Weapons’ new album, ... more
Like Noah Baumbach’s The Squid and the Whale — the 2005 film that inspired its name — Noah and the Whale work some tunes that are equal parts bitter and sweet. ... more
Bette Midler’s new compilation album, Jackpot! The Best Bette, is a mad pu-pu platter of songs that have taken the pop icon from ... more
If the title of her sophomore release‚ Down to Earth (out Tuesday)‚ doesn't spell it out for you‚ this lyric will make it clear that Jem is no diva: “Becoming a bitch ... more
Bookmark this article