KIX
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
Kix contract a touch of the "sophomore slump" with
this follow-up to their 1981 self-titled debut.
With bass lines and drum beats more like a heartbeat than a rapid fire machine gun, Kix
get to the core of a pulse and keep the musical activity pumping. Many of the guitar riffs
are played on the up-beat rather than the down-beat which allows the drums to take clear
shot at the core of the songs existence. Acting more like a party band than tough
strutting acts like AC/DC or rambling blues like Aerosmith, Kix are the perfect band for a
summer soundtrack for your backyard party.
"Love Pollution" is a toe-tappin' rocker with an Angus Young guitar tone that is
to die for. "Cool Kids" and "Nice On Ice" are pop-oriented tunes
designed for radio; "Mighty Mouth" and "Get Your Monkeys Out" are
solid rave-up numbers. "For Shame" marks the first appearance of a ballad
for Kix on record; "For Shame" hints at the band's eventual success with their
national radio hit "Don't Close Your Eyes." However, where "Don't Close
Your Eyes" is a stereotypical power-ballad, "For Shame" is a relaxed
acoustic number that laments the end of a relationship with the hope of rekindling the
flame of unfinished love.
However, there are some very low points on the disc. "Body Talk" and
"Loco-Emotion" are weak tracks which sound more like bass romps with '80s New
Wave influences not fitting for a blues-based rockin' bar band.
The line-up for the sophomore album consisted of the charismatic Steve Whiteman on vocals, Brian Forsythe and newcomer Brad Divens on guitar, Donnie Purnell on bass, and Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant on drums.
Pete Solley was the producer for "Cool Kids"; Pete
Solley has worked with Ted Nugent and Motorhead. The production on this sophomore effort
was much the same as the debut; the vocals could have been more upfront in the mix and the
tone of the music still failed to capture the band's live dynamics.
As the band no longer exists it does not have an official web page; however, visit this
fan's site at http://www.microserve.net/~chuck/kix/kix.html
for a history of the band and lyrics.
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
With the recent interest in blues based rock bands (i.e.
Buckcherry and New American Shame) it was high time to introduce Rough Edge readers to the
Baltimore-based Kix which had some measure of national success when the monster ballad
"Don't Close Your Eyes" ruled the airwaves back in 1988.
"Kix," the 1981 self-titled debut album, showed that Kix fit squarely in the
blues-based rock mold of AC/DC. Kix were always regarded in a better light than most
pop-metal bands of the '80s due to their simplicity and unpretentiousness.
As a debut album, "Kix" clearly demonstrates the band's ability to keep things
simple and "in the pocket." Kix were always viewed as a barroom party band that
played from the gut. Kix weren't out to change people's opinions on politics and other
news, yet connected with their fans by celebrating the emotion of the moment.
The high point on the album is "The Itch" which is a hard rock classic and is a
staple of mid-Atlantic rock radio to this day. "The Itch" is a stompin' tribute
to the emotion of infatuation and how it affects all of us.
Quick tempo rave-ups are plentiful on the debut disc. "Atomic Bombs" handles the
issue of sex-at-the-end-of-the-world while the double-time stomp of "Kix Are For
Kids" never fails to disappoint. "Contrary Mary" with its sing-along chants
and "The Kid" which handles the topic of 'the third wheel' are natural
compliments to each other. "Kix Are For Kids" is a particular reminder that
AC/DC's "Let There Be Rock" had a lasting affect on many hard rock bands through
the late '70s and early '80s. A slower, bluesier number included on the album,
"Heartache," burns with an intensity that showcases the band's sense of pace and
musical chops. The sexual innuendo of "Love At First Sight" and the party-ready
"Yeah, Yeah, Yeah" each serve as a substantial reminder that blues based hard
rock should have a place in everyone's CD collection.
The line-up for the debut album consisted of Steve Whiteman on vocals, the guitar duo of
Ronnie Younkins and Brian Forsythe, Donnie Purnell on bass, and Jimmy
"Chocolate" Chalfant on drums.
Tom Allom produced the disc; Allom has worked with Judas Priest, Def Leppard, and Loverboy as a producer and also worked with Black Sabbath as an engineer. The vocals are buried in the mix which hurts the disc's overall impact. The production of the music is average as it was difficult to capture the band's live energy in a studio setting.
As the band no longer exists it does not have an official web page; however, visit this fan's site at http://www.microserve.net/~chuck/kix/kix.html for a history of the band and lyrics.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 1999 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 16 Nov 2009 10:48:17 -0600.
