One Time Bells [Digipak]

Performer: The French Kicks
Engineer: Greg Talenfeld
Distributor: Fontana Distribution

Notes: French Kicks include: Matt Stinchcomb, Lawrence Stumpf, Nick Stumpf, Josh Wise. Recorded at The Stonehouse, Nyack, New York between November and December 2001. Recording information: Stonehouse, Nyack, NY (12/2001). Photographer: Josh Rothstein. Unknown Contributor Roles: Nick Stumpf; Matthew Stinchcomb; Josh Wise; Lawrence Stumpf. On their debut full-length One Time Bells, the French Kicks polish and expand on the endearingly messy post-punk of their previous work, opting for sculpted hooks and eclectic arrangements instead of garage rock bluster. Like their labelmates the Walkmen, the Kicks take an arty, stylized approach, making their pared-down rock anything but basic; off-kilter keyboard lines and backing vocals keep the tight, insistent riffs on songs like "Wrong Side" and "When You Heard You" from becoming too claustrophobic. A previously unheard sensitive side to the group's sound also surfaces on One Time Bells, particularly on the bittersweet, bouncy "Down Now"; the Anglo pop-tinged "Crying Just for Show"; and the wonderful "Close to Modern," a shimmering, jittery fusion of new wave and '60s soul that also recalls some of Modest Mouse's and the Dismemberment Plan's best moments. In fact, with the exception of the raucous "1985" and the jagged groove of the title track, the group breaks almost entirely from the punky, garagey sound of their self-titled and Young Lawyer EPs. While the appealing rawness of their early material is occasionally missed here, the strides forward that the group makes on this album more than make up for it. Simple and catchy enough to be interesting on the first listen and quirky enough to remain interesting afterward, One Time Bells proves that the French Kicks are only getting better. ~ Heather Phares

Alternative Press (7/02, p.81) - 8 out of 10 - "...BELLS isn't all post-punk preening. French Kicks also add some mod-soul shuffling, atmospheric brooding and fading harmonic delicacy that display the group's mastery of subtle hooks....those who give them time will be greatly rewarded." Magnet (6-7/02, p.86) - "...A rewarding, cohesive and climactic experience..."

They were never as trendy as the Strokes or the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, but nonetheless, New York City's French Kicks were a mainstay of the early 2000s Big Apple rock renaissance. Originally known for being the band with a singing drummer, the French Kicks underwent several line-up changes that led to drummer Nick Stumpf taking over traditional frontman duties. A certain coulda/shoulda tag always dogged the band, but one listen to their sharp, hip mod-pop is proof that the boys did just fine for themselves.

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