Blood Pressures
by The Kills
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Apr 5, 2011
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 39
  3. Negative: 1 out of 39
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  1. Hackskeptic
    Jun 18, 2011
    6
    Well, there are a few odd turns, but "Blood Pressures" is pretty much the same amalgam of raw, tense, amateurish delivery that's been conveyed throughout their career. Mosshart has undoubtedly improved her skills over the years and can perform a fairly convincing torch singer's touch ("The Last Goodbye") along with her usual tortured moans. By contrast, when Hince steps up to sing on theWell, there are a few odd turns, but "Blood Pressures" is pretty much the same amalgam of raw, tense, amateurish delivery that's been conveyed throughout their career. Mosshart has undoubtedly improved her skills over the years and can perform a fairly convincing torch singer's touch ("The Last Goodbye") along with her usual tortured moans. By contrast, when Hince steps up to sing on the turgid "Wild Charms" one suggests he should concentrate solely on instrumental duties.Leaving behind the more dance oriented rhythms of "Midnight Boom", and although aiming for the carnal blues rock of "No Wow" there's a cleaner, less energised feel to the record. The cod reggae of "Satellite" sounds like it's powered by Prozac, and the resignation in Mosshart's vocal on "DNA" suggests minimal enthusiasm to the cause. She saves her best performance for "The Last Goodbye"; a melancholic piano ballad that resonates with an emotional intensity rarely found on the rest of this collection. For fans, "Blood Pressures" is a fine if sanitized version of former glories. With all the activity away from the band, one wonders if hooking up once again was more obligatory than inspirational, and may explain the tame, uninspired nature of this recording. http://hackskeptic.com… Collapse
  2. MG4390
    Mar 26, 2012
    5
    The Kills were a band that I never listened to until I heard The Dead Weather. I don't love The Dead Weather, but I liked them enough to want to check out this other band Alison Mosshart was in. To be completely honest, a lot of the songs on this album just didn't resonate with me. There is nothing bad on the album, but not much that is particularly great for me either. The one exceptionThe Kills were a band that I never listened to until I heard The Dead Weather. I don't love The Dead Weather, but I liked them enough to want to check out this other band Alison Mosshart was in. To be completely honest, a lot of the songs on this album just didn't resonate with me. There is nothing bad on the album, but not much that is particularly great for me either. The one exception would be 'The Last Goodbye' which is a simple yet emotional piano ballad that is unlike anything else on the album. Maybe I need to start at the beginning of this band's career to get into them, but this album definitely didn't get me on the bandwagon.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Mojo
    May 17, 2011
    60
    Blood pressures doesn't quite take charge of their joint destiny as decisively as it needs to, the cohesive chain smoking cool do their earlier albums diluted by sudden shifts in tempo and mood. [May 2011, p.104]
  2. Q Magazine
    May 17, 2011
    80
    What was often missing was much in the way of engaging, nuanced songwriting. Four alums in, though, there are clear signs of progress. [May 2011, p.121]
  3. Billboard.com
    Apr 19, 2011
    87
    Bluesier and less electronic than its predecessor, "Blood Pressures" is by far the Kills' most accomplished and diverse set yet.
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