The Kooks: Inside In/Inside Out
The Brighton-based quartet The Kooks formed in 2004, and just 2 years after their inception, the band released their debut album Inside In/Inside Out in 2006. Born just a decade after the peak of Brit-pop, the band instantly caught the media and the people’s attention with their music.
The band’s youth, creativity and blatant disregard for political correctness, blossoms from the track Jackie Big Tits and their overconfidence could easily be felt throughout the album, especially from the contrast between the opening pretty and acoustic track Seaside and the second track See the World. Whilst Seaside‘s clean vocals and gentle strums on the acoustic guitars induce a feeling of a literal seaside environment, its follow-up See the World, shows the indie-rock side of their music. The opening drum fill and solid beats, complimented by the trashy sounds of the open hi-hats throughout the song, make you want to continuously head bang to the music.
The album is full of contrasts between slow, acoustic songs to heavy hard-hitting riffs and beats; although one can definitely say that throughout the whole album, they display maturity and confidence and one might also say that they’re a less severe Arctic Monkeys at times.
Following their debut album, the band released Konk (named after Konk Studios in London, which was the exact same studio used by indie-rock greats, Franz Ferdinand) in 2008, followed by Junk of the Heart in 2011 and Listen in 2014. Their most successful release was still their debut album earning 4 times platinum in their native UK.
All in all, The Kooks are a great listen, especially on a warm Sunday afternoon, complimented with a good pint of beer. We’ll definitely be waiting for another big release in a few years’ time. Stay tuned all you indie-rockers!
Glen Spiteri
