Trial Of The Century
- French Kicks
- Band Name: French Kicks
- Record Label: Star Time
- Release Date: May 4, 2004
- Critic Score
- Most active
- Publication
- Most clicked
-
Trial is as rhythmically acerbic and propulsive as the last couple of French Kicks offerings, but the pace is a little slower and more deliberate, the songwriting more cohesive, reflective, and mature.
-
90With this album, French Kicks have taken a sizeable leap forward, taking the right bits and pieces from half a century of rock 'n' roll to make something new and, yes, unique.
-
Has them concealing Duran Duran, Tears For Fears, Wire and U2 under a thick pea-soup of organ and rolling bass. [30 Oct 2004, p.65]
-
80With elements of synth-pop, new wave and blue-eyed soul distilled into a succession of heart-beating hits, Trial Of The Century is a record that gets better with each listen. [Dec 2004, p.99]
-
Lavished with luscious keys and gently chiming guitars throughout, 'The Trial Of The Century' tickles and teases the listener, offering subtle hooks that take time to appreciate.
-
As for its place in the larger new rock movement, The Trial Of The Century's forward motion is on a par with The Walkmen's leap from the gray clang of its debut to the committed window-rattling of this year's Bows + Arrows.
-
Far more unabashedly romantic than One Time Bells, the Kicks have let go of any lingering desire to be a rock band and are warmly embracing new wave style pop a la the Cars or New Order or Elvis Costello.
-
76While there are a few slow points on The Trial Of The Century... the album is leaps and bounds away from One Time Bells, production and songwriting-wise. [#10, p.96]
-
A bit retro, for sure, but the Reagan-era references feel more fond than forced. [25 Jun 2004, p.165]
-
The edges have been softened since their debut... but the brainy, melodic hooks are still here. [#7]
-
Like a less electronic version of the Postal Service, on The Trial of the Century the band invokes nostalgia for that decade but puts it in a different context.
-
70This newly minted prissiness... gives the twinkly keyboard and tangled guitar of "Oh Fine" and the mock-pomp circumstance of "Was It A Crime" a starry-eyed sensuality. [#64, p.92]
-
60Geographically, one would here have to imagine a borough between The Stills and The Walkmen. [Nov 2004, p.120]
-
As with most cool New York Bands, the lyrics matter way less than the vibe. [24 Jun 2004, p.175]
-
Ultimately unremarkable. [Jul 2004, p.134]
-
59Essentially, Trial is just one semi-interesting idea (retro-tinged, Smiths-influenced, synth-friendly rock) repeated 11 times-- and no matter how able or committed the French Kicks may be to that lone notion, their conviction alone can't make their sophomore record feel any less tedious.
-
The French Kicks have changed dramatically and not always for the better.
prev
next
Page:
- 1
User score distribution:
-
Positive: 3 out of 3
-
Mixed: 0 out of 3
-
Negative: 0 out of 3
-
AaronQ9
-
DavisW9Probably the most underrated album of 2004 from one of the most underrated bands around today. Simply brilliant.
-
Jody10