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So-Cal Band Makes Good... For Once.

From today’s southern California scene, after being plagued with unbearably large numbers of Hurley-loving, Blink-worshipping knockoffs, comes Rock Kills Kid.

While listening to this EP the first time through, I caught myself asking, “Who does this sound like?!” To be quite blunt, the first three songs didn’t do much for me. They were satisfactory, to say the least, but definitely weak points for this band. I’d have to say that the last two cuts are where it’s at.

On track five, “Immanuel”, I picked up a sweet hint of the Cars’ vocals mixed with a passionate melody that one could only compare to that of Bad Religion. “God, what a beautiful musical fusion,” my little brother replied with a smile. Indeed, and one which they pull off quite gracefully.

Honestly, though, it’s unfair to compare them to anyone. I found this record a bit hard to classify, which I loved. On “Again” (my personal favorite), I latched onto the harmonic throwbacks and guitar arrangements reminiscent to those found on Jimmy Eat World’s “Clarity”, and after saying that it was pretty much inevitable that I would fall in love with this song. Lyrically, front man Jeff Tucker successfully dabbles around with words of self-doubt (“Dream”, “Miracle”), bittersweet loneliness (“Everything to Me”), and a naivety (“Be There”) that can only be found in a band-on-the-verge such as Rock Kills Kid.

I believe that with time and patience, these California boys will mature into something great; but for right now they need to settle in with their new label, get comfortable touring, and, most importantly, grow together as a unit. Case in point: This is a great CD, definitely worth buying (or at least listening to ONCE), a wonderful jumping off point for the band; and if their live vocals are anywhere close to those on this disc… I’ll be hooked forever.



People who liked this also liked:
Filmmaker - An Invitation to an AccidentNew Bomb Turks - The Night Before the Day the Earth Stood StillFugazi - Steady Diet of NothingThe Jealous Sound - The Jealous SoundInterpol - Turn on the Bright LightsWizo - Uuaarrgh!Desert City Soundtrack - Contents of DistractionGarrison - The ModelEmbrace - EmbraceRainer Maria - Long Knives Drawn



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    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 17, 2003 at 12:24 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    i bet emily wants to sleep with this band

    Posted by manimal on 2003-03-17 02:14:34
    My Score:

    These guys are awesome! I'm so glad to hear a somewhat different style coming from So-Cal! I interviewed these guys a while ago, and it's so great to talk to a band that actually cares about the music! Rock on guys!

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 7, 2003 at 7:24 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    whoever said they ripped off oingo boingo is smoking crack and a shitload of it at that!

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 4, 2003 at 4:25 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    these guys suck ass, and the reviewer is an idiot, it's not Carsesque, they ripped off Oingo Boingo it's a dead man's party, shit you morons who are supposed to know about music don't know dick

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 27, 2003 at 10:24 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    This band is seriously the next big band in rock n'roll!!!

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 30, 2003 at 10:09 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Good stuff, but just barely fringing on being too poppy. et's hope a mjor won't consume them, if they expand on their sound and keep a n edge to it and not become a "dime a dozen" emo band this band will have a bright future.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 30, 2003 at 8:25 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    i did see them live and their live vocals ARE great. They looked and sounded very professional, these guys have a bright future. I look forward to seeing them again.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 30, 2003 at 8:50 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    It's ok....a bit poppy...but if you like that it'll suit your taste. I wouldn't compare it to bad religion at all.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 30, 2003 at 8:45 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    i think we all new that

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 30, 2003 at 3:48 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    not rock as in mineral

    rock as in music

    rock "music" kills kid

    Posted by dignin on 2003-01-29 17:26:29
    My Score:

    Boy sets fire, rock kills kid. The classic story of man vs. nature.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 at 1:37 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    "Charitable donation in Orange County? Yeah, that'll fly."

    You know, that was almost funny...almost.

    Posted by Vien on 2003-01-29 01:11:56
    My Score:

    It ain't the "Rock" that killed the kid.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 at 12:53 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    these guys were way better as the jeff tucker extravaganza they had tons of energy now they are bland like everything else emo.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 at 11:55 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    These guys rock! They rocked as the Jeff Tucker Extravaganza and they rock now! i can't wait til they play chain reaction again, its gonna be great. i normally don't even listen to this kind of music but i love it!!!! rock on.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 at 7:21 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    This is pretty good, but I don't see anything special!

    Posted by WussEmoRock on 2003-01-28 18:42:10
    My Score:

    Sickboi, I am not in school because it is semester break. If anyone lives in san francisco, I will be trucking up there on thursday for a few days. So, if you have an food you want to part with, I'd be obliged.

    *****Wuss-Emo-Rock*****

    Posted by bandaidemily on 2003-01-28 17:14:55
    My Score:

    sickboi...

    your comment made me laugh, thank you. if you knew me you'd know i'm far from groupie. that nickname came from the wonderful scott heisel, and i don't understand whyyyyy he would even think of it. ha.

    Posted by pope_schlomo on 2003-01-28 16:42:58
    My Score:

    Don't like the name. Don't like the music. I may consider it an offense to promote the sounds of this band as Cure/Bad Religion-esqe.

    Ramo
    (I invented a word)

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 at 4:18 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    who gives a crap about their band name....there are a million horrible band names.....it's the music that matters and these guys are amazing!

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 at 4:14 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    The name of this band is horrible. In fact, most of these "noun verb noun" band names are bad. It's become so repetitive.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 at 4:01 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Strange that they would go through a name change and pick another bad one.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 at 3:39 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Charitable donation in Orange County? Yeah, that'll fly.

    -sickboi

    Posted by maverick on 2003-01-28 15:36:27
    My Score:

    Sickboi, maybe you can write off WussEmoRock as a charitable donation or something on your tax returns.

    -Scott

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 at 3:31 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Why aint you in school Wuss? PLaying hooky, eh? My taxmoney is being wasted on your sorry ass I can see.

    -sickboi

    Posted by WussEmoRock on 2003-01-28 15:28:56
    My Score:

    Rock Kills Kids use to be Jeff Tucker Extravaganza (named after one of the guys in the band, Jeff). I don't know which name is worse? probably the new one. horrible cd cover as well, although the music isn't too bad. good luck in the future guys!

    *****Wuss-Emo-Rock*****

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 at 2:50 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    So is this "Bandaid Emily" chick a groupie? Cause' thats what a bandaid is. Giving it up to the rockers, god bless you my dear.

    -sickboi

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 at 2:35 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    decent band, terrible, terrible name.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 at 2:14 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Track 17 is my favorite on this album. What a wonderful band. More like cock kills kid. it's beautiful.

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