Konk Review

Release Date: Apr 15, 2008
Label: Virgin Records
Genres: Indie Rock
Number Of Tracks: 12
The Kooks don’t quite live up to the hype on their sophomore release Konk.

Sound:	8.3
Lyrics:	7.5
Impression:	8.3
Overall rating:	8
Users rating:	7.7
Comments:	35

overall: 6.7

Featured review by: UG Team, on may 01, 2008

Sound: The Kooks have been taking a lot of flack for a number of reasons in the past year. On one hand there’s the crowd that is simply annoyed by frontman Luke Pritchard’s allegedly growing ego, while there’s a larger group that’s more bothered by the fact that the band’s new record isn’t quite as memorable as the debut Inside In/Inside Out. I don’t really have an opinion on Pritchard’s attitude, but there are some valid issues that trouble the new record Konk (named after the Ray Davies-owned studio where the album was recorded). There are the obvious radio singles that will keep you humming throughout the day, but all too often things begin to lag and the fast forward button looks a little too alluring.

Konk does tend to rely on it's radio-friendly aspect, and it’s obvious the band was going for a mass appeal. Back in December Pritchard told NME that Konk “is a good pop record,” which for a supposed indie rock band is not such a wise thing to say. But then again, give him credit for being honest. The first single “Always Where I Need To Be” is the ultimate pop song, with a pleasing melody and plenty of “doo-doos” in the chorus. It’s likeable enough, and the band’s fan base should probably like the results. It’s not necessarily a huge jump in a different direction, but it’s still got a pretty solid arrangement.

Guitarist Hugh Harris does deserve a lot of credit for keeping things afloat throughout the CD. Every time there’s a memorable moment on Konk, it usually has to do with something Harris delivered. The opening track “See The Sun” revolves around a gorgeous guitar tone that sounds like a hybrid of The Cure and The Stones. Harris goes above and beyond on “Do You Wanna,” which is a cheesy song with terrible lyrics –- but the layered guitars are phenomenal.

The record tends to get a bit stale toward the end with songs like “Shine On,” which just feels like a throwaway track. I will say that “Down On The Market” features riffs that sound like they could fit into any Strokes’ song, but it’s far from being as memorable as some of the lines in “Reptilia” or “Last Nite.” // 7

Lyrics and Singing: The Kooks have been teased by the band Kasabian for basically writing songs for girls. It’s hard to say if they’re more culpable than a lot of the other bands out today, but there is a fair helping of relationship-related material. It’s well-written for the most part, except of course, for the track “Do You Wanna.” That particular song just makes you want to cringe when Pritchard sings, “Do you wanna, Do you wanna, Do you wanna make love to me?” It just lays it on a little too thick and actually takes away attention from Harris’ solid guitar work. // 6

Impression: As much as The Kooks impressed with their debut, it’s hard to get as excited about the latest material. While it’s not as horrible as some are making it out to be, it just has too many spots on it where the music is just a bit uninteresting. Pritchard still has that charismatic delivery in the vocals and Harris’ guitar work carries the entire record, but the songwriting still can’t compete with the hype that’s been created around The Kooks. // 7

overall: 10

Reviewed by: SGplaya112, on may 03, 2008

Sound: I don't think you can define The Kooks sound. It is a big mixture of everything they like. I can defiently see their big influence (The Kinks) which comes out strongly in their lyrics. Other reviews may say their isn't as much punch as inside out/inside in, that's a lie. The lyrics are better and have a grappling effect. Hugh is one of the best lead guitarist I've heard, almost like he took a step up from George Harrison. Luke's combination of chords and strum patterns are as original as it gets. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: The whole CD has great lyrics, my opinion. There are a couple songs where it doesn't truly define The Kooks, but none the less bang up job. I feel a lot of Ray Davies coming out of Luke's mouth. Not a bad thing, we defiently need more crazy mother f--kers like Ray. // 10

Impression: This is hands down my favorite album. I can only think of legendary 60 bands matching up with these guys, everyone else, like RHCP, Raconteurs, Sublime, Nirvana and so on. Do not have the fire that's in these guys. Americans can make good music, but it's pretty rare for them to make something sad or depressing into something joyful. U.S. did invent rock 'n' roll, but the god damn British def made it better. // 10

overall: 7.3

Reviewed by: kookskid563, on may 02, 2008

Sound: The Kooks, the indie rock group from Brighton, have just released their second album Konk. Critics have been a little too harsh on the group because, let's face it, there was no chance Konk was going to match Inside In/Inside Out, the band's first album. Inside In/Inside Out was a masterpiece that they will probably never match again. The band has mixed even more acoustic guitar onto this CD, probably due to the recording sessions in California. Although the singer, Luke Pritchard, uses basically the same chords and scale throughout, the acoustic sound is a great contrast to the crashing electric chords in songs like Stormy Weather and Down to the Market. The album as a whole is solid with few insignificant holes. Pritchard and the boys did mature, but they also slipped into a little more pop this time around. Always Where I Need to Be is a perfect example. But whatever The Kooks write, it seems to turn out pretty good. A little pop isn't a bad thing for their style. The lyrics and passion lack a little, but that's about it. If you are a true Kooks fan and like their sound, you should like this album. Konk kicks off with the smooth See the Sun, which I believe is the best song on the album with it's beautiful guitar licks and catchy chords. Other memorable tunes include the acoustic gems Love It All and Sway. The acoustic guitar sound blended with Hugh Harris' awesome electric fills is a good combination throughout the record. // 8

Lyrics and Singing: There is no doubt that Luke Pritchard can sing. I saw him live and man can he is great in concert. The singing skills haven't changed on Konk, but the song writing quality has diminished some. Many of the songs sound like he is trying to serenade his girlfriend. But again, this doesn't bring the album down too much. The overall tone of Pritchard's great voice overrides the mediocre lyrics. // 6

Impression: Konk is good for a sophomore album. Most bands try too hard or fail to recapture their sound on their second try. The Kooks not only recapture their catchy melodies and rhythms, but they experiment with a little more acoustic guitar which turned out nice. I recommend this album to any indie rock fan. // 8

overall: 8

Reviewed by: sweetpeasuzie, on may 01, 2008

Sound: The Kooks give fans more scrumptiously humm-able rock tunes with their second outing, Konk from Astralwerks/EMI Records. Similar to the band’s debut album Inside In/Inside Out In 2006, Konk has a batch of fetching ditties that know which buttons to push in the listeners to keep their bodies bouncing to the rhythmic beats and their spirits completely immersed in the melodic motions. The Caribbean-reggae flavored strokes of “Gap” are tweaked by cool strutting rhythms and a suave vocal swagger by lead singer Luke Pritchard whose vocals deliver a series of deep aching squawks through “Sway.” The Kooks, by now, have developed a trademark complexion of folk-tinged dance-rock which parlays nips of Brit-pop into the mixtures that ensues into some catchy body-piercing tracks like “Always Where I Need To Be,” “Shine On,” and “Mr. Maker.” The raveling guitar chords of “Down To The Market” has a punk rock make-up while the acoustic passages of “One Last Time” and “Nick Of Time” have a bit of country-pop texturing which gives these melodies a homey family room feel like these songs were written while the band sat spread out on living room sofas. The rigorous dance-rock rhythms of “Do You Wanna” have a siren’s caterwauling emanating from Pritchard’s vocals, which oscillate between sounding apologetic and having a jilted lover’s barb on “Stormy Weather.” Whatever you enjoyed about The Kooks music before, they still have it with Konk. // 8

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics show human vulnerabilities in the things that people long for and miss in their lives, and the things that they take for granted and shunt for no reason. The words in “Stormy Weather” depict such themes: “What did I say/ I didn’t mean it/ What did I do to hurt you/ I didn’t mean it, I didn’t mean it/ I’m not saying it’s all made up/ There’s people there to comb your hair/ But I’ll seek out another soul/ One girl that’s so beautiful that it feels like love, love, love.” Above all, the lyrics are about licking one’s wounds and putting on a brave face publicly. // 8

Impression: Konk from The Kooks stays within the folk-pop keyholes and melodic rock lines of Inside In/Inside Out, as if the songs on Konk were leftovers of their previous release. Konk was produced by Tony Hoffer (Beck, Air), who also produced Inside In/Inside Out, so there could be credence to that belief. Band members Luke Pritchard (lead vocals), Hugh Harris (guitar), Max Rafferty (bass), and Paul Garred (drums) found a niche that suits them just fine, and they don’t show a desire to dissolve what they have formed. With every track, The Kooks expand on defining their trademark sound which shows hints of their musical influences from the likes of The Kinks and The Beatles, but making their songs the way the band wants to hear them. This has meant more country in their folk keys than their predecessors, and more dance movements in their rock curves. It seems to suit The Kooks like a pair of Diesel jeans designed to fit like a second skin. Some tracks on the album were recorded at Konk Studios in London, England which makes it rational to presume that this is where the band got the unusual name for their second album, although no official statement has been released to this effect, so it is only a guess. // 8

Comments

[kop4]

the album is quite good, but not great.
I really like 'gap' and 'see the sun'

[archangelseren]

ive taken to calling people kooks.... in vein of the band..... good band i thinks

[Rubynater]

This is my favorite CD xD

[Rubynater]

favourite *

[ezza61]

Yeah same, Gap and See the Sun. Solid album i reckon.

[Kurdt2k]

The album has had pretty poor reviews, and I must admit at first listen I was disappointed that there wasnt as many stellar tracks on Konk as there was on Inside In/Inside Out. Thankfully, its a grower and after a few listens I realized it is actually a fantastic album with some really catchy songs. Long live Kooks!

[pedro.ataidee]

Agree, two of the best tracks .

The album is good, but Inside In/Inside Out was better.

[Suspended Chaos]

I agree 100% with that first review.

[WangmasterHizzl]

*Look* more indie! Yay!... Just what everyone needs ..

[ClickClick]

The Kooks have to learn to plaaaaay dem blue

[AVIDFANOFSOUNDS]

Its Ok, heard better the foals are much tighty and am starting to get really annoyed by luke.

A harris solo album would make a much more intresting album than this

[GuitarManDan15]

I borrowed it froma friend who lives round the corner, put it in my CD player and within a few hours i was walking round his house to give it back. Not a very good album but i did get diamond hoo haa man the same day and thats epic. So i may have to give it another try and not compare it to another CD but its full of to many doos and daas were luke run out of things to right. However the guitar work is solid but not as good as the UG team say it is, comparing it to the strokes bad mistake

Overall 4/10

[k00kie M0nster]

not as good as inside in/out, but i really like mr maker and see the sun.

[TheSilverBeatle]

What is with everyone saying Do You Wanna is a terrible song with terrible lyrics. Anyone ever heard of the Stones...they too have slezzy, and sexual lyrics.

[Themaddoctor]

TheSilverBeatle wrote:

What is with everyone saying Do You Wanna is a terrible song with terrible lyrics. Anyone ever heard of the Stones...they too have slezzy, and sexual lyrics.

But they actually do it well.

[sebbsmith]

From the sounds of things, they just tried re-writing the first one. The first one was such a diamond, but come on. I feel insulted that they think I'll be impressed with a third-rate Inside In/Inside Out.

[paul_brownell]

Brit school graduates....."dissertation required by 5th of may on how your against the system"

[AngryGoldfish]

The lead singer from The Kooks sounds like a goose...with a vibrator down its throat.

[scottss7]

I really did like their debut, especially their acoustic performances on a torrent release of the first CD but the album is so horrible, I don't understand what direction, if any, they were planning to take the band. Maybe next time

[SamCam4692]

love the kooks
it may not be as great as in/out but its still amazing
and check out Rak its wicked awesome

[AlexBarraclough]

absolute bollocks....this is the worst album of 2008 so far....dont buy it.

[ms_tickley]

i was not impressed
although i love the kooks

[verona_bassist]

i like some kooks songs, theyre pretty creative considering other stuff thats out there..but i dont think theyre worth buying an album...

[drtudor]

not as good as inside/inside out, but it gets better every time you listen to it

[CrazyYaz]

Agree totally with first review.

Kooks have swayed abit too much into Pop for my liking in this new album. They seem to have compromised alot of their songs to make them more "radio friendly" as the first review said.

The Acoustic version of "always where I need to be" they did in a session at lowlands ago was so much better.

Hugh is a great guitarist btw.

[SGplaya112]

Great album.

[Chriss2000]

btw a cd is only promotion for a band joining their concerts^^...so I love this cd, "sway" "see the sun" and "gap" pretty much...but the sound of a song like "sofa song" is a bit missing

[mallen i am]

hugh is amazingly amazing
i wish i could play as well as him
**hangs head in shame**

[biscuitiis.k]

this sucks don't buy it

[08KookyMonster]

theyre not too bad there are some pretty good songs in there but yeah i guess its not as good as the first one.

[reignofrock]

I don't know why so many people hate it, I think it's fantastic. I got it for free and was reluctant to listen to it, me being a metal head since I was a wee lad. However, I thought it was just awesome, though the first review was right, Hugh is the highlight to the record. Nevertheless, it's a real good record to put on and just relax, whether with drink etc.

[joker_thief]

always where i need to be can be a tad addictive. see the sun, gap, down to the market, tick of time is nice too. inside in/out is still mah favorite tho.

[ich-komme]

Luke Pritchard.... why?

Does anyone else from Brighton sing like that?

[CameronMusic]

why do people dislike Do You Wanna so much? I think it's a great song, yeah a bit cocky and sleazy. but history has millions of great cocky and sleazy songs and bands. The Fratellis, The Stones, Oasis, Chili's, Hendrix, Guns N' Roses etc, and in a lot of ways that's what make them great.

favorite songs on new album "Do You Wanna", "Sway", "Stormy Weather" and "Gap"

[jason white]

this album is good on cd but amazing live i saw em the other day in melbourne and the songs off konk went off just as much as the 'classics'

keep it up boys