Reviews

From the opening chord of "Thelma & Louise" to the final bass line of "Private Hall of Shame," Kiss Kiss Kill Kill, the third proper studio album by Danish rockabilly punks HorrorPops, overflows with style and attitude.

If that was all the band had to offer, the album would still be absolutely stellar, but the trio doesn't stop there. Patricia Day plucks the bass for HorrorPops and Nekromantix' bassist Kim Nekroman picks up a guitar. It's a role reversal and a great testament to the talented musicianship both exude. Henrik Niedermeier also deserves mention for the driving beats that keep the trio on pace throughout. And the HorrorPops would be nothing without the vocals of Day.

Fans of HorrorPops have known this stuff for years, but the band steps it up a notch on Kiss Kiss Kill Kill, their best effort to date. The blend of surf rock, rockabilly, punk, new wave and whatever the hell else the band pleases is as smooth as ever.

The upbeat of "Misfit" is almost total ska. The listener would almost expect a "Pick it up! Pick it up! Pick it uuuuuuup!" chant on first listen if it wasn't clear that HorrorPops were behind the record with their laid back attitudes, producing more of a cool energy. The point is that nothing seems off limits for this band, and almost every style attempted is incorporated successfully into the album.

"Disco" derides stupid cultural trends with hilarious lyrics and vocals mockeries, while "Everything's Everything" takes a slower, more emotional and seemingly introspective approach. "Hitchcock Starlet" provides an eerie track for the album. "HorrorBeach Part 2" is one of the better instrumental tracks written by any band in a long while. And on, and on, and on...

Everything on Kiss Kiss Kill Kill is original; it's daring, it's exciting, and the band never missteps. It is all tied together by a film noir theme that is evident in the album's title and art work. Most of the songs work through the eyes of a repressed female protagonist (an outcast) with enough attitude to fight the system, which Patricia Day handles perfectly.

Kiss Kiss Kill Kill is the type of amazing album that comes along only once in a great while. It's an original idea paired with fresh sounds, talented musicians, great songwriting and solid performances, all culminating in a level of honesty which sees the band holding nothing back. HorrorPops have created a masterpiece in Kiss Kiss Kill Kill, and with the talent behind this band, no one should be surprised if it is one of many to come.