CD of The Week

After hitting a slump in creativity and inspiration, Luke Pritchard and his fellow Kooks headed across the pond to L.A. for a much needed change of pace, where they worked with Tony Hoffer(once again) to record their third album, Junk of the Heart.

The album starts off with the title track, whose chorus line, “I wanna make you happy,” echoes the Partridge Family tradition of a similar sentiment from “Come on Get Happy!” Yet even though I can’t get the show’s theme song out of my head while I’m listening to it, I have to admit that the pleasant vibe from the jumpy beat and overlapping guitar have grown on me. This song is followed by quirkier “How’d You Like That,” which starts off with the same signature piano glide of David Bowie’s “Young Americans.” They also change theIsley Brothers’ unmistakable five-part “Ah” from “Twist and Shout” into a four-part one in “Mr. Nice Guy.”

There is a nice blend of both funky jams, sweet melodic love songs, and plenty of catchy hooks. Some of the funkier jams are my favorites, like “F**k the World Off.” But songs like “Eskimo Kiss,” “Petulia,” definitely stand out. “Runaway” and “Taking Pictures of You” are also great tracks on the album. They’ve definitely delivered songs that each have their own unique qualities and instrumentals. No theme is too excessively spread throughout the album, save for love. But that’s expected, as The Kooks have never been those to hide their emotions…nor have they ever refrained from setting out to write love songs for girls.

Despite the obvious emulations of The Beatles, Bowie, The Kinks and other artists, it is refreshing to find their album amidst a swarm of newer stuff that all sounds like, well, newer stuff. They pull off the vintage elements respectfully and skillfully, while incorporating enough of their own alluring pop melodies, hooks, and musicianship. Even though the album is primarily a light and fluffy pop pillow to cushion a lovesick teenage girl, it still has enough quality down that the average classic Brit-pop lover can cozy up to.

You can twist and shout when they’re in town on November 15th at The Trocadero, their first tour date in Philadelphia in three years.