A Message from the Intern

Since Garrett STILL hasn't let Zach post on the blog here are his thoughts on the new Kooks album. Enjoy.

When The Kooks exploded onto the scene in 2006 with their debut album Inside In/Inside Out, it was clear that they were going to do great things. With their pop-beats and catchy chorus lines, the announcement of Konk, their second studio album sent excitement throughout the music community.
As I listened, however, it slowly became apparent that Konk was going to disappoint me. While the album did not completely lack the flavor that made Inside In/Inside Out so successful, the more serious tone that it took simply did not suit their musical style. Inside In/Inside Out was a fast paced, fun album. The tracks of Konk are slowed down, and calmed down. With far more acoustic tracks than their first album, the album dragged.
The album begins with “See the Sun,” which certainly showed what the Kooks were planning on doing with the album. “See the Sun,” is definitely Kook-like, but it is much more somber than most of the songs off their first album. The first single off Konk “Always Where I Need to Be” is the highlight of the album, returning to the fun, upbeat style of Inside In/Inside Out. In the end however, the album simply falls under the category of “decent.” The track “Fa La La La La” characterizes the album as a whole. A slow acoustic song, it is a good song, but it just doesn’t do what the Kooks do.
It could be that the Kooks are attempting to mature by moving their sound into a more relaxed area. However, the album simply doesn’t leap out at the listener the way that Inside In/Inside Out did. Konk does not bury the Kooks, and I’m hoping, in years to come, it will be looked at as just a sophomore slump.
Still extremely young (lead singer Luke Pritchard, the oldest member of the band is just 23), the Kooks will continue to make music far into the future. It’s unfair how high the Kooks have set the bar for themselves. Konk is not a bad album; it’s just not nearly as good as Inside In/Inside Out.