After their modest success with ‘No Wow’ it would be easy to think that The Kills recent surge of popularity is due to Guitarist Jamie Hince’s attachment to Indie boy loving model Kate Moss.
However upon hearing ‘Midnight Boom’ it’s certainly apparent that the recent praise is warranted.
Being a male/female duo The Kills can’t help escape the White Stripe comparisons, and although the album still lacks that lasting substance Jack and Meg have to their name, Jamie and Alison are certainly getting closer. Hince’s guitar work is a great deal smoother and Mosshart’s vocals continue to echo one PJ Harvey.
Having only just played the Oran Mor in March to a sold out audience, to the couple’s credit the crowd this time round must nearly be at full capacity.
Unsurprising they open with single ‘U.R.A Fever’ and the interchanging of vocals isn’t as effective as on the album and Hince’s part is fairly unconvincing. Not a good start, but things soon pick up with impressive versions of ‘Pull a U’ and ‘Tape Song’.
With jet black hair draped over her face and bearing a striking resemblance to Samara from The Ring, Mosshart leers about the stage with Hince drifting around spitting out the effect layden bluesy rifts the Kills have become famous for.
The lack of a drummer doesn’t seem to hinder them musically one bit and Mosshart picks up a guitar on occasion to lend a hand.
The set is comprised mostly of the new album, the cool indie/blues swagger of ‘Sour Cherry’ and ‘Cheap and Cheerful’ provide highlights while old favourites like ‘Kissy Kissy’ and ‘Good Ones’ continue to impress.
Overall a decent set, and although The Kills still aren’t quite there in terms of success when compared to fellow Domino artists Franz Ferdinand and The Artic Monkeys, if they continue in this fashion they’re sure to be there or there abouts soon.
