The Kills - 'Keep On Your Mean Side' (Domino) Released 10/03/03

This is an unashamedly dirty record. Not dirty in the conservatively admonished - yet sometimes privately approved - overtly sexual sense, but in a real, scuzzy, underhand, integrally subconscious sense. This record is filthy.

At a time when the word 'contrived' is bandied about to describe bands that dare to try to do something stylistically diverse, here arrive a pair whose insouciance does not leash them to such an encumbering word - from the first riff and consequent apt lyric 'Superstition' - this duet of deliberation by default become stuff of legend.

No better pseudonym could represent the vocalist VV, an indistinguishable appellation that perfectly epitomises the fact that you cannot pin down that voice. Polly Harvey, Siouxsie Sue, the sexual tones of Blondie, and more. Guitarist named Hotel? That should figure, because these riffs lodge in a superficially sleek Guest House, but we all know it's a dressed up sleazy Motel.

Here is the twist, they pitilessly do 'Keep On Your Mean Side'; you listen in with a scowl, it cannot be avoided. 'Cat Claw' physically scratches at your contorted face, 'you got it / I want it / you got it / I want it' and abrades so deep as to scar your brain. The subtle blues picking of 'Kissy Kissy' has a severe Doors 'The End' sensation and 'Fried My Little Brains' continues a excitingly offensive drone-stomp that provides you with a compulsive need to throw something breakable against the wall. 'Hitched' maintains the violence, depicting marriage just prior the point of murder in the name of self-defence, 'gonna / get my name stitched on your lips,' with all the sonic action of a ho-down.

'Black Rooster' is utterly terrifying, 'you wanna **** and fight / in the basement' and the back-stabbingly existential '**** The People' sees John-Lee Hooker on speed, played at 35 rpm.

After all that, it doesn't just feel dirty, it also feels deliciously dangerous.

www.thekills.tv - MP3 download of '**** The People' available.

The Kills play the Manchester Roadhouse on the 10th March.