I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance is unlikely to be beaten as the best pop song of 2008. Like so many other recent bands (think The Shout Out Louds, Interpol), Black Kids have lined up to worship at the throne of The Cure. At times they've have been criticised for ripping off Robert Smith's work but without getting a handle on the darkness and sense of alienation that helped keep The Cure's pop moments in balance. Of course, the most obvious failings of Black Kids is not their music but their banal lyrics. Too many times their lyrics sound completely try-hard and cringeworthy such as "he ain't trying to have a rival/ you best think of your survival/ yeah, I ain't trying to be liable/ I swear it on the Bible."
However, 'Partie Traumatic' is not beyond redemption. I've Underestimated My Charm (Again) loses the lyrical lameness and instead adds the sweetness of 1950s melody and layers on top of this a gorgeous sense of Brit-pop swagger (perhaps the influence of producer Bernard Butler) while Love Me Already again struggles lyrically but the big catchy chorus does its best to disguise this. Look At Me (When I Rock Wichoo) sounds like a meeting between the suave Spandau Ballet and the tiresome female vocals of Bis. It is comes as no surprise to find out that the indie pop glory of Hit The Heartbrakes was part of Black Kids' original debut EP that started the wave of hype that keeps rolling on.
The truth is that 'Partie Traumatic' does not live up to the hype. It is as patchy as a stray neighbourhood cat; flipping between brilliant singles, 80s revivalism and immature lyrics. Hopefully when Black Kids grow up they will discover greater depth but continue writing golden melodies.
I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance is unlikely to be beaten as the best pop song of 2008. Like so many other recent bands (think The Shout Out Louds, Interpol), Black Kids have lined up to worship at the throne of The Cure. At times they've have been criticised for ripping off Robert Smith's work but without getting a handle on the darkness and sense of alienation that helped keep The Cure's pop moments in balance. Of course, the most obvious failings of Black Kids is not their music but their banal lyrics. Too many times their lyrics sound completely try-hard and cringeworthy such as "he ain't trying to have a rival/ you best think of your survival/ yeah, I ain't trying to be liable/ I swear it on the Bible."
