louis xiv - the best little secrets are kept
the cover says it all. well a lot of it. the bare back of woman is the recipient of the albums track list in black marker pen, with just a slight extra glimpse of the flesh for that nice and easy cheap thrill. that, and the parental advisory warning, which could be a first for a nme-sanctioned indie rock album? after all, the warning is par for the course with nu-metal (linkin park excepted of course), and just about every hip hop album ever, but in the world of sleazy 70's rock-n-roll glammed up fun, the warning is a rare beast.
as we all know, ever since the hell bound gyrations of elvis, the moptop shake of the beatles sex has been used to sell rock-n-roll, and conversely rock-n-roll has been used to get sex. well, i hope that these 4 young mascara'd lads from san diego get plenty of action following the release of their debut, because from the lyrics they are wired to the max and ready to explode. just about every track oozes a certain uncontrollable hormonal urge, making depeche mode look positively angelic in the process.
there is plenty that is questionable about this album : the cover, the lyrical game play (or is it foreplay), and perhaps the most unusual aspect, the mock english accent that dominates the singing throughout. it was a while before i read the accompanying pr and realised that the band are actually american, their use of english styled vernacular ( worst case : 'show us a little tit' where the t's are dropped a la eastenders - oh lovely), is a strange modern twist on the 60's mick jagger americanisms, so i guess it only fair that the favour is returned.
but, for all that starts the alarm bells ringing, why is it, that this album puts a great big grin on my face and makes me sing along with joyful glee? well, tis all in the sonic style that the band have ripped off. they have applied the same magpie approach to music making that noel gallagher has, but, instead of using the beatles as their blueprint, louis xiv have revived the sound of t-rex with a hint of the rolling stones 70's riffs to such a high level of accuracy i checked to see if tony visconti had been involved in the production. the songs are stripped down and bare (as should be expected), insanely catchy, witty and down right great fun. instead of coming over as a buncha worldly wise sleazed up greasy rock-n-rollers, they actually come across as sweet and innocent men with first blood in sight, hoping to, at last, move out of their family home (you just know that a couple of them are still dependant on their parents for residence) so the real party fun can begin.
so, by the fourth listen, you will know if you hate or love this album. i decided i was going to jump on in, and totally love this album for all of its unabashed politically incorrect 70's rock and roll. though i completely understand why it has been slated by other reputable online review sites.
in summary : a little piece of saucy postcard fun that will hopefully make a whole new generation of nme readers (this albums obvious target audience it must be said) buy a t-rex compilation. in which case, it's a win-win situation for all concerned.