"Let's Kick & Make Up"

Hello,

Just got back from a tiring vacation in the province & It's been quite busy as i have been finishing up some projects & I just loved that new music that i heard from a band that is not new in making beautiful music,Kicker.The band (which was already featured in other music blog/s & numerous webpages) was composed of ex-members of Comet Gain,Hood & Velocette.The current line-up are Jill Drew (Vocals/Violin/Keyboards/Percussion),Phil Sutton (Drums/Vocals/Percussion),Andy Jones (Guitar/Bass) & Ben Phillipson (Guitar).Based in London,They are formed back in 1998 & In the summer of '99 recorded a 2 song demo which caught the ears of Rough Trade shop which agreed to release it in their own label,For Us.

"Get Rid Of Him"/"Turning Left" became their 1st single released in 1999 & They also make their live debut & ended the year with a performance in Rough Trade christmas party.Having received many radio support after all their single releases & in 2002,The Track & Field Organization label released a compilation of their first 5 seven-inch singles titled "FiveFortyFives" where it reminds me of their formative years where their sound remind me of their Comet Gain connection/a slab of "Peng" era of Stereolab meets 60's pop thrown in one hell of a catchy ride in Popdome(being "Tomorrow Always Comes" a pick of mine).For beginners,This is a fine start as most of their singles are out of print.

After years of playing,Kicker returned with their debut LP,"Our Wild Mercury Years" also on The Track & Field Organisation label.Almost 2 years in the making & armed with a new delightful sound which at times can be mistaken sounding like The Go-Betweens (just listen to "Madelaine",my fave!) where Phil croon in his lovelorn glory,This debut LP extracts all their musical comparisons to their ex-bands marking their own name & sound.It starts off with the refreshing opener "One Summer" (which features the drumming skills of Laura Bridge (see:Harper Lee) then to the subtle melody of "Blue" switching again to the jangly beat of "Doris Dear" accompanied by the charming keyboards.Another fine gem in here is their cover of "Since You Left" by 60's soulsters The Inciters (also featured on "More Soul Than Wigan Casino" on Fortuna Pop! label) & closing it with the very lovely "Madelaine" where Phil sings "Madelaine,Where Are You Now...Where Are You Hiding?" like he is searching for a long lost girl.

I am looking for more & this is pop when it pops! & I loved this band & i am surely hearing one of the year's best & can we have a poll now?I have a couple of their songs & hear them now & sing them forever:

Kicker - "Paraguay"
Kicker - "Blue"

Feel free to visit their site for more news/info & to hear more from them.

Buy their releases Here or direct from The Track & Field Organisation