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Keep On Your Mean Side
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 18 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 10 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Rough Trade / Domino
Release Date: 01 April 2003
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Indie, Rock
Summary
"Coincidentally" released on the same day as the fourth album by the White Stripes, to whom the Kills are frequently compared, 'Mean Side' is the debut full-length for the UK blues-rock duo of VV (aka Alison Mosshart) and Hotel, who are backed by a drum machine (a la the Raveonettes).
Also By This Artist: Midnight Boom No Wow
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Splendid
No, it's not the new White Stripes record -- it's something infinitely better.
Read Full Review >Amazon.com
In a sea of pretenders, the Kills are capable of providing some genuine competition for the White Stripes.
Read Full Review >Dot Music
Few debuts are as intriguingly addictive, physically compelling or effortlessly hip as this.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
Though the album could use a bit more grit and grime, it's still remarkably solid.
Read Full Review >Uncut
The duo's liking for repetitive Royal Trux-style riffage forms the core of their debut but they frequently explore more sparse territories. [Apr 2003, p.110]
Mojo
A record of substance, one that stands head and shoulders above today's garage bashers. [May 2003, p.89]
ShakingThrough.net
Keep on Your Mean Side is a solid debut from a duo with enough moxie to shamelessly retread their myriad influences without coming across as so annoyingly derivative as to negate its brash, anything goes energy.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
Though their minimalism might sometimes sound like straight distillation, the tunes still hit, and hurt.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club)
It would make the perfect soundtrack for an evening spent terrorizing hitchhikers and toppling portable toilets.
Read Full Review >Dusted Magazine
Many will understandably bore of it quickly, for there’s nothing to new to discover after repeat listenings. Yet, it contains enough rock solid tracks to make it recommendable to fans of the genre.
Read Full Review >Delusions of Adequacy
There are a few moments of weakness on Keep on Your Mean Side - most notably where V.V. and Hotel get a little too repetitive or too simplistic for their own good – but it's easy to move past these minor instances without it detracting from the album too much.
Read Full Review >Blender
Cocky and nicotine-stained, the Kills revive the cheap art of sinister underground rock and puzzling, mysterious pseudonyms. [May 2003, p.121]
Stylus Magazine
The Kills' sludgy punk-blues doesn't contain many pop melodies or catchy choruses.
Read Full Review >Magnet
Keep On Your Mean Side suffers from the same-samey quicksand tha bogs down the overhyped Yeah Yeah Yeahs. [#58, p.95]
Q Magazine
Once upon a time rock'n'roll was all about the sex you really shouldn't have. The Kills haven't forgotten. [Apr 2003, p.108]
Playlouder
There are too few ideas here to really make 'Keep On Your Mean Side' worth our devotion.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
The Kills make the least of their limitations -- rather than magnifying the importance of each choice, the simplicity of the Kills reveals how little thought went into any choice.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.1 (out of 10) based on 10 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Favian R gave it a10:
raw, nitty gritty, in your face... its a rock blues that I can steady step to with my boogie shoes. The heavy distorted bass lines and the bellowing guitar riffs that make me want to growl, its a wonder these guys haven't already made it bigger. Do they have anymore albums? I want them, I want her, an amazingly sexy voice and they work extremely well together as singers. Bring them to Austin, Texas, we will listen. Sincerely, Favian Hail,Hail Rock N Roll
Blanco Alegua gave it a 9:
Damned good album. It's got a raw, powerful groove to it. A little hard to believe they're English....
Lena L gave it a 9:
I thought it was grand
redmosquito gave it a 10:
keep on your mean side
R Combs gave it an 8:
Forget the duo comparison games...this album creeps through alleyways and swamps while standing in defiance of societal norms..this is one big middle finger salute...what a glorious noise
ian w gave it a 9:
fuck the people
