The Kills
No Wow
With music that was as unnerving as the darkest moments of models such as the Velvet Underground and the Jesus and Mary Chain, The Kills’ 2002 debut “Keep on Your Mean Side” introduced the band’s musical path. But this follow-up elevates expectations, as the pair show increased command and craft.The biggest advance is that The Kills now wrap their songs, from the enchanting “The Good Ones” to the especially anxious “I Hate the Way You Love,” in melodies that are disarmingly sweet and seductive. The music and themes may be too dark for some tastes, but with the right exposure, The Kills could dominate late-night radio well into the summer on alt-rock and college rock stations.
Best track: “No Wow,” the edgy title that speaks about how the first glow of romance can turn dark.
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Edited by Cara DiPasquale (cdipasquale@tribune.com) and Victoria Rodriguez (vrodriguez@tribune.com)
