Post by Darren on Aug 31, 2008 14:34:12 GMT
That Kiss
Review
2 Reviews by the Panel
Review
2 Reviews by the Panel
“Flawed Departure or Crooning Classic?” By Fergal Kinney |
Swirling strings, Ronettes-esque drums, huge guitars, Fray croons in the new era of the Courteeners with the self-proclaimed “best song I’ve ever wrote”. New ballad “That Kiss” may not sound out of place gracing the daytime waves of Radio One but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to get excited about in this song. Fray hinted at the ability to write songs like this on the last record, most notably “Please Don’t” and the more scarcely produced “Yesterday, Today and Probably Tomorrow”, and it is ever clearer that Liam has mastered the art of the pop song that The Last Shadow Puppets tired so hard to obtain on their debut. “That Kiss”, like most of Fray’s previous lyrical efforts, tells a story. This time Fray veers away from it being a story of drug abuse, youthful nights out, scathing Scensters and Libertine dreamers, this is the story of getting involved with a taken woman, described by Fray as a “you should be with me thing”, epitomised in the lyric (my personal favourite in the song); “If he only knew what you thought; the lust, the lack of trust, the temptation you fought.” Another good thing about the lyrics to this song is that as well as being a departure from some tracks, it seems a continuation from some of their previous songs, in particular b-side “An Ex is an Ex For A Reason” and album track “Please Don’t”. The chorus arrives very early in this song, after the opening met by a sparse guitar line and a flawless vocal from Fray. Liam Fray’s vocal emulates Morrissey at his best, the crooning, soaring voice over a vast accompaniment, but The Courteeners are no one man band and one of the primary strengths in this band is the band itself. The drums soon enter to powerful effect and the chorus is in full flow, laying out the carpet for the imminent arrival of the string section. Like when the Verve put strings to “History” or Oasis with “Whatever”, the listener gets the feeling that the addition of a strings section to “That Kiss” marks the start of a new chapter in the band’s legacy and a relationship with strings that will probably produce some more classic tracks in coming records. Most things about the track have improved since the last time we saw the band, which in modern terms was not that long ago at all by the standards of most bands between albums. Conan’s simple but effective jangly guitar line fits the song like a hand in glove. The tune has less dynamics than earlier single such as Acrylic and Cavorting, but with a song of such maturity the perfect structure seems fitting and works to the advantage of the song where previously it may not have done so. At times the song does lack the energy and drive of those songs and the free flowing ranting lyrical style of Please Don’t, but these are minor mars on an otherwise top quality song. “That Kiss” easily surpasses the limited (at least on the album recording, but that’s another story) single “No You Didn’t, No You Don’t” and does meet the strong pop tunes of “Not Nineteen Forever” and even “What Took You So Long” at times. Some cited certain tracks on St Jude as being over produced and some being under produced, with this new tune Stephen Street and The Courteeners have found happy medium without going into the territory of “safe ground” which has grounded many bands into a stalemate between mediocrity and lack of ambition. All in all, “That Kiss” doesn’t disappoint and raises the stakes from some of the lesser tracks on the debut album and shows the rest of the world what it is that the Courteeners do, why they’re selling out venues at rapid speeds and that unlike many bands at the moment, they’re not afraid to move on. |
A strong success and a beacon of things to come from the next record. Well in! 8/10 |
| “SHOCK!! A brand new Courteeners song that's not been swapped across the internet, or sounds like it was recorded down a toilet in Middleton!!” By FastFuse |
That Kiss was a song recorded in Ireland just after the sessions for the St Jude, but was left of and after a few listens I can understand why. It would never have fit, it seems to be a more mature song, both musically and in content than anything else they have recorded to date. This is a sign of a song writer growing in ability, confidence (String sections arranged by Liam!!) and happy with his craft. I was going to say how disappointed I was with this song, but i've just had it on repeat for the last hour or so and having gone over the lyrics its starting to make a bit more sense to me now, At first I thought Liam had his balls cut off, Courteeners songs have that unpolished roughness to them (I cant be arsed to go into 'overproduced albums'!!) reminiscent of the Libertines the less than perfect musicianship which is part of there charm. The naivety which wont last for ever is something that keep the band interesting to me, with That Kiss I think its starting to disappear. But there will be new B-sides (as yet unheard!!!) I have my fingers crossed for something a bit more Rock & Roll. Its not that I don't like the song, I just personally think there are better things to come from The Courteeners. That Kiss is, as all Courteeners songs are lyrically strong lots of effort, thought and time. Revolver for me is a better song as is Piercing Blues, I think the test with any song is if you still enjoy listening to it in 12 months time and if I'm being honest I don't know. |
I Know I Shouldn't, But I Enjoyed It 7/10 |
