Black Kids: Partie Traumatic

Black Kids
Partie Traumatic
Columbia Records [2008]









Fire Note Says: Florida band survives the hype machine and comes out with satisfiable album!

Album Review:
After last years super duper blogger excitement surrounding their highly acclaimed Wizard Of Ahhs EP, and the label courting battle that ensued, it would be real easy to dismiss the Black Kids debut record Partie Traumatic as an overhyped pile of major label crap put out by juggernaut Columbia Records. Like I said, it would be easy unless you take the record for a few spins and realize that it makes your foot tap, head nod and chime in on the choruses with perfect synchronization. The four tracks that made the EP so infectious all make an appearance on Partie Traumatic, especially “Hurricane Jane” and the longest titled ever song “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You”. That still gives you six new tracks to make your final opinion if the Black Kids live up to the hype. That answer is that they give it the college effort and reach the bar of reasonable expectations because this record is not going to change any scenes but is very enjoyable to just let play. Partie Traumatic is full of dancey beat heavy tracks that all have the combo male/female vocals of Reggie Youngblood, sis Ali Youngblood and Dawn Watley, which bounce off each other throughout the record in a fun and carefree manor. All of this energy is contained and channeled properly by producer Suede guitarist himself Bernard Butler, which I believe helped give the Black Kids an English vibe. Although Partie Traumatic may have some small issues with smooth song transitions, individually the tracks do very well when popped into a shuffle and can succeed on their own catchiness, which will make you a return customer to the entire record.

Key Tracks: "Hurricane Jane", "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend To Dance With You", "I Wanna Be Your Limousine"

Bands With Similar Fire:
bis
The Go! Team
New Young Pony Club

Official Black Kids Website
Black Kids MySpace
Black Kids Info [Allmusic]
Columbia Records

-Reviewed by Robyn Gatsby