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With 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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New Musical Express (NME)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]
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MojoWith 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]
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FilterWhile 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]
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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.
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Entertainment WeeklyA bit retro, for sure, but the Reagan-era references feel more fond than forced. [25 Jun 2004, p.165]
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MagnetThis 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]
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Under The RadarThe edges have been softened since their debut... but the brainy, melodic hooks are still here. [#7]
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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.
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Q MagazineGeographically, one would here have to imagine a borough between The Stills and The Walkmen. [Nov 2004, p.120]
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Rolling StoneAs with most cool New York Bands, the lyrics matter way less than the vibe. [24 Jun 2004, p.175]
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Alternative PressUltimately unremarkable. [Jul 2004, p.134]
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Essentially, 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.
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The French Kicks have changed dramatically and not always for the better.
User score distribution:
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Positive: 5 out of 6
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Mixed: 0 out of 6
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Negative: 1 out of 6
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AaronQJul 21, 2005
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DavisWMay 9, 2005Probably the most underrated album of 2004 from one of the most underrated bands around today. Simply brilliant.
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JodyMar 3, 2005