Notes on Junk Of The Heart by The Kooks

"hello were the keooks" God I love that accent. Do you all wish you had British accents? No you already do? Anyway the kooks came out with a new album called junk of the heart, a really good album and mature. They stepped away from straight pop and Britpop but still keep those "catchy as hell" guitar riffs and vocals and like many of their fans say they changed styles or they're sound. They are going in a new direction and yet still staying around with 60's British invasion influences. You can clearly hear the emissions of a Beatles song here and there but just in a modern style. Most of the songs speak of women and yes its a reoccurring theme everywhere but the tunes just cradle that and cause a severe chain reaction of catchy proportions. They may have changed but the catchy tunes will stay. Overall this album is calmer and less fuzzy than the previous albums of course most of the new songs contain acoustic guitar and less electric though its presence is still there. Well that's all I have to say about the album overall, here's a more detailed view...

1. Junk of the Heart (Happy): The drums start immediatly sounding like the railway cart x-ing bells. The acoustic guitar blares out a catchy little melody, and the electric guitar is pulling riffs out of the amp to help the acoustic sound much more in place. Luke Pritchard starts singing about how he wants to get with this lovely girl and how he'd like to woo her and all that common love sick lyrics. there are more sounds in the song in the background but i cant't really tell whats making that sound but im leaning to an orchestra rather than a synth. Of course at 2:13 seconds they layer that guitar with a buzzing fly effect which is very suited for the fuzzy bass. Its a really good song a must listen.

2. How'd You Like That: Shiny guitar riffs strum, piano flows, the drums beat consistantly. Luke starts singing about another girl and how that girl makes him feel and how the women of heaven and the symphony sang "how'd you like that?" and he replies "i like it", "it lifts me up", "i only just let go" and he then expresses how his love is infinite and that it could cross the sea into america. The guitar solo after he says "just let go" is brilliant its very empowering and it starts to get very chill.

3. Rosie: The drums start first again, simple tamborine type beat. Acoustic guitar and bass start. The vocals start and he sings about a girl called Rosie. He sings about where love has taken him to whilst pursuing Rosie which didn't work out that well. This song is very similar sounding to the Beatles. Yes I said it. The Beatles. Anyway this song is very overhyped and isn't very unique or different in anyway, and its very simple.

4. Taking Pictures of You: Vocals and acoustic guitar start the Song off. He sings about the good times he had with an unnamed girl recalling taking pictures of her and having fun. It's a very simple song but its very catchy. The various elements in the song; the modest bass, the calm drums, the melodic guitar, random piano, and lovely electric guitar, all work for a common goal of making a good Song. They accomplish that goal too and its beyond a good song.

5. F*ck the World Off: The drums start off this song this time followed by bass and acoustic accordingly. Luke starts singing about what he do for this girl saying that he would tell the world off just for her. The beat is very catchy as usual but the lyrics are very angry so the message is mixed up and jumbled. This sounds kind of similar to cage the elephant strangely because of the guitar randomly fretting around in a blues fashion.

6. Time Above the Earth: Lovely sound already, the sound of violins and orchestra, so peaceful yet in turmoil. The vocals come in and he sings very sad lyrics possibly about the thoughts he has in the aftermath of a bad breakup, its a very sad song but it also blares out hope in the almost 2 mins of song.

7. Runaway: The first thing you notice is the drums tapping to the keyboard, the vocals start as soon as an acoustic guitar comes along to join the party. The lyrics talk about another girl who makes Luke want to runaway with her. the song is very stable and has great melody but when the beach guitar starts man that just lifts you up and the percussion gets alot dubbier and you hear cowbells and tinging and it just falls on top of you colliding with your mood and then it slows down and just like that the song ends leaving you to want more...

8. Is It Me: After the collapse of runaway, making you want more this song is just a perfect follow up andf more. Theres a hum in the beginning and that hum is replaced by vocals, drums and keyboard. Man if there aren't catchier vocals i don't know, Pritchard talks about a break up that he, of course, caused to happen and how he and her became devasted by it. Sure the lyrics don't seem to bright but this song, or rather, the music behind it is what matters. The guitar is in a total mood of awesome and the guitar grips your ears and doesnt let go. The solo, oh my god, the solo is just pure bliss the guitar just riffs riffs riffs and then frets and its just amazing how quick it is kind of like an adrenaline rush and the aftermath of that solo just causes the climatic collapse of the song but it seems so short even though its a 3 min song.

9. Killing Me: The climax of the old song just makes everything else that follows suck, but this song is tame, the calm seriousness brings you back to earth and its quite frank. With calm chords stumming, the rest of the instruments join in. The vocals come in afterwards and he sings in such a calm and sad fashion that you can't deny the good qualities in the song the change in guitar melody and slow progression. The lyrics talk of trying to get back with that girl he broke up with.

10. Petulia: This song starts off with an acoustic guitar and the vocals start with a little vibrating tone in his voice. The song goes on and you can listen to a small telekinesis or someone still loves you boris yeltsin in the vocals and guitar. Its not to life changing but the modesty of the song keeps the album going on. The lyrics are about the aftermath of a break up (again) and yes it is getting old

11. Eskimo Kiss: This song is probably a filler compared to the rest of the album it really doesnt fit in well with whats happening with the album so far and it sounds akward to have a pop song in the middle of a reoccuring theme.

12. Mr. Nice Guy: The theme starts back up again but again the music seems akward, the lyrics are about trying to get into another relationship and the ex trying to get back with him. the music is kind of off and the only notable aspect of the song is the guitar solo but thats prossed guitar.

OVERAll this album is great well except the last two songs they kind of halt the whole movement of the album. Its a great album totally worth the cost of an itunes download (plus you get 2 more songs which i dont have which is the reason im not reviewing them) but anyway if you like the whole "new britpop" scene or "english indie" then you'll dig this album. Theres no point in denying youll like most of the album because you will at least like 6 out of 12 songs and you might like the 2 bonus if you get it on itunes. I'm pretty sure grooveshark has those two somewhere i'll just listen there. Anyway i made a whole little highlight of the album on your right next to the playlist of the month if your on your desktop or laptop and be sure to take a listen. And please go visit my personal music blog.