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Honkey Kong
by
Honkey Kong Image
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: Jesse Hughes from Eagles of Death Metal releases his debut solo album.
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  • Record Label: Dangerbird Records
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Dance
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. Los Angeles Times
    Jan 3, 2012
    75
    Honkey Kong retains an essential lightness that keeps the music on the right side of parody.
  2. AllMusic
    Sep 21, 2011
    70
    In addition to proving once and for all that Hughes can stand on his own as a rock & roller, Honkey Kong meets the main requirement of all of the previous albums Hughes has appeared on. It's a rockin' good time.
  3. PopMatters
    Oct 27, 2011
    70
    Honkey Kong is the kind of record they used to make––as it recalls the fabulously flawed records of the '70s, whether the New York Dolls, the better Stones records, the Stooges or Nilsson.
  4. Kerrang!
    Sep 29, 2011
    60
    Its lo-fi, organ-heavy, cheap drum machine-driven jams reveal his ear for fusing classic team-dream rock'n'roll with demented pastiche. [Sept 17 2011, p.51]
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  5. Q Magazine
    Nov 8, 2011
    60
    Jessie, "The Devil" Hughes merges tub-thumping keyboards, '70s glam stomp and the sense that music making is a bit of a hoot on his solo debut. [Nov. 2011, p. 128]
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  6. musicOMH.com
    Oct 4, 2011
    60
    Boots Electric rarely comes off as transcendent, only really succeeding with prior knowledge of Jesse Hughes' image.
  7. Uncut
    Sep 20, 2011
    20
    Rock rears its head on "speed demon," but by that point, the riffs are drowned out by the sound of a joke having fatally gone too far. [Oct 2011, p.81]
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See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. grasshoppergirl
    Sep 21, 2011
    10
    For those of you unfamiliar with Jesse Hughes (half of Eagles of Death Metal), here's a candy coated introduction: Honkey Kong is his firstFor those of you unfamiliar with Jesse Hughes (half of Eagles of Death Metal), here's a candy coated introduction: Honkey Kong is his first solo effort. I can't stop talking about and listening to this record. The 'Drowned in Sound' review here on metacritic is supremely apt (I'm super jealous of Robert Cooke for writing it so perfectly). My favorites include 'Complicated' (a fun 3 minute romp that sets the perfect tone for the record) and 'You'll Be Sorry' (a song so perfect, I wish I wrote it myself). 'Speed Demon' (about cars and sex) might be my new theme song, and 'Boots Electric Theme'. is just raw sex in a song. For me, 'Honkey Kong' is an instant classic. Don't take it too seriously, play it loud, enjoy the grooves and dance your ass off. Well worth the buy and well played Jesse Hughes.… Expand
  2. Stevostin
    Mar 27, 2012
    10
    I am just discovering this album and checking the hype about it. Seems there is none or very little. I am surprised - this is hand down myI am just discovering this album and checking the hype about it. Seems there is none or very little. I am surprised - this is hand down my best musical moment in years and most seems to just miss this gem.

    I'd say : take it seriously - I mean musically seriously. I'd say : compare it to Beck if you need too, but don't fail to mention that the songwriting is musically better than nearly everything Beck did. Those notes, those notes !

    It's not as constantly brilliant as EODM debut album (PeaceLoveDeathMetal) but tracks like "Oh Girl" will stay with you forever next to your best Pixies moment. Yes, some tracks have this kind of musical depth.    … Expand