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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.

Keep On Your Mean Side
by The Kills


9.0

based on 18 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 9 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

Official Artist Site

"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).

LABEL:	Rough Trade / Domino
RELEASE DATE:	01 April 2003
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Indie, Rock

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.

Amazon.com

In a sea of pretenders, the Kills are capable of providing some genuine competition for the White Stripes.

Dot Music

Few debuts are as intriguingly addictive, physically compelling or effortlessly hip as this.

All Music Guide

Though the album could use a bit more grit and grime, it's still remarkably solid.

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.

Pitchfork

Though their minimalism might sometimes sound like straight distillation, the tunes still hit, and hurt.

The Onion (A.V. Club)

It would make the perfect soundtrack for an evening spent terrorizing hitchhikers and toppling portable toilets.

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.

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.

Rolling Stone

[A] bruising disc of post-modern blues.

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.

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.

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.

The average user rating for this album is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 9 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

Keep On Your Mean Side by The Kills

Keep On Your Mean Side
by The Kills