The Kills - Blood Pressures

I've always struggled with The Kills, rarely making an impression with their recorded work although having a fervent fan base and continually receiving critical acclaim. With the release of their fourth album, "Blood Pressures" the time felt right to give Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince another chance to impress.

I find my diligence rewarded as "Future Starts Slow," "Satellite" and "Heart is a Beating Drum" prove more accessible, exploiting trademark primal rhythms with Hince's dark, ominous guitar.

"Nail in my Coffin" hints towards Mosshart's recent Jack White collaborations within The Dead Weather, including an interesting percussive sound, suspiciously similar to that of a table tennis ball making contact with a table."Wild Charms" is a short interlude with Hince assuming vocal duties before "Dna" another sinister sounding, atmospheric track, an area in which The Kills excel.  

The second half of the album, while not quite achieving the same level of intensity still houses a couple of real gems, particularly  "You Don't Own the Road."  


Perhaps I have been reticent, not affording The Kills the attention they deserve.  After "Blood Pressures" I feel a trawl through the back catalogue definitely merited.