The first full length by Jacksonville’s Black Kids left me a little disoriented upon first listen. It includes all the heavily blogged tracks from the free download Wizard of Ahhs EP, minus “Designs on Aka You”, plus three new tracks in Partie Traumatic, I’m Making Eyes at You, and Look at Me(When I Rock Wichoo).
For many of us that were introduced to Black Kids thru the “Wizard” Ep, there’s a dark, fuzzy almost furry warm quality to the production of the demos that was very apparent from first listens..juxtaposed against an almost so-easy-its-scary ability to write songs that are more catchy than a million foot net…..So..it was an immediate turn off for me when I heard the glossy, almost pristine sound quality of the new full length Partie Traumatic. I realized that the Black Kids’ Wizard EP may have been a product of many cool points being hit at once in an immaculate recipe of 1. New Band 2. Free EP 3. Their name is Black Kids (I’m sorry guys/gals but its so true)4. Awesome song writing 5. Low-Fi presentation of shining material..this is important b/c you will say “Even though the sound quality is____, these songs are Awesome! This band must be awesome!…and you will lend your heart to the underdog(presented as demo) b/c you hear the heart of the songs and eventually don’t even think about the muddled parts b/c they have gained clarity thru your love for the track…..Ok now that I have attempted to explain my initial reaction to Partie Traumatic…I have to say that even after the second listen, I was ready to listen more,and more and more…Yes, The Wizard EP may have been a product all its own, but PT brings with it many new reasons to love Black Kids..trust me, this album is a beast!! The only song I’m still warming up to is Partie Traumatic..other than that..its an album full of singles and I love it! Thank You Black Kids!