Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Teaming up once more with Trial of the Century producer Doug Boehm, the French Kicks turn in an even more polished, poppy-sounding set of songs with Two Thousand. Problem is, even though the album overflows with pop signifiers -- strummy guitars, appealingly breathy harmonies, and infectious beats -- they come together in memorable songs at a surprisingly low rate. That's not to say that Two Thousand is flat-out bad. In fact, tracks like "So Far We Are," "Cloche," and "Keep It Amazed" are perfectly pleasant, but they just don't leave much of an impression after they've ended. The mere niceness of these songs is even more disappointing considering how hooky the French Kicks' previous albums were; it was the band's strong songwriting that made their transition from One Time Bells' spiky, rough-around-the-edges pop to the pretty synth textures of Trial of the Century so smooth. Once again, the Kicks spend a lot of time on Two Thousand's sound, coming up with a finely crafted patchwork that pieces together bits of classic pop, new wave, and electronica that separate them even further from the garage rock revival they were lumped in with originally (with this album and their last, they're getting much closer to the territory of their Two Thousand tourmates, Phoenix). "Hey I Wait I"'s galloping piano melody and "Basement D.C."'s carefully layered keyboards, guitars, and handclaps are particularly ear-catching, but the overall lushness and detail of Two Thousand's production and arrangements end up being the album's strongest points instead of its songs. A few tracks have songwriting equal to the album's sonics, offering some tantalizing glimpses of the French Kicks at their best. The sparkly, swooning "Also Ran" feels like a logical progression from Trial of the Century, while "No Mean Time"'s quirky mix of acoustic guitars and a Motown-inspired bassline gives the song an appealing lightness and movement. "Go On" ends the album on a surprisingly tense, moody note, but best of all is "England Just Will Not Let You Recover," which melds a skipping electronic beat, keyboard melodies and countermelodies that pop in and out, and silky, bittersweet vocals into one of band's best songs to date. On Trial of the Century and this album, it's clear that the French Kicks have worked hard on developing their music. Two Thousand is nothing if not well crafted; that it doesn't have more memorable moments is as frustrating as it is mystifying.
© Heather Phares /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From €13,50/month
French Kicks, Performance, MainArtist
© 2006 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2006 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
French Kicks, Performance, MainArtist
© 2006 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2006 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
French Kicks, Performance, MainArtist
© 2006 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2006 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
French Kicks, Performance, MainArtist
© 2006 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2006 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
French Kicks, Performance, MainArtist
© 2006 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2006 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
French Kicks, Performance, MainArtist
© 2006 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2006 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
French Kicks, Performance, MainArtist
© 2006 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2006 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
French Kicks, Performance, MainArtist
© 2006 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2006 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
French Kicks, Performance, MainArtist
© 2006 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2006 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
French Kicks, Performance, MainArtist
© 2006 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2006 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
Album review
Teaming up once more with Trial of the Century producer Doug Boehm, the French Kicks turn in an even more polished, poppy-sounding set of songs with Two Thousand. Problem is, even though the album overflows with pop signifiers -- strummy guitars, appealingly breathy harmonies, and infectious beats -- they come together in memorable songs at a surprisingly low rate. That's not to say that Two Thousand is flat-out bad. In fact, tracks like "So Far We Are," "Cloche," and "Keep It Amazed" are perfectly pleasant, but they just don't leave much of an impression after they've ended. The mere niceness of these songs is even more disappointing considering how hooky the French Kicks' previous albums were; it was the band's strong songwriting that made their transition from One Time Bells' spiky, rough-around-the-edges pop to the pretty synth textures of Trial of the Century so smooth. Once again, the Kicks spend a lot of time on Two Thousand's sound, coming up with a finely crafted patchwork that pieces together bits of classic pop, new wave, and electronica that separate them even further from the garage rock revival they were lumped in with originally (with this album and their last, they're getting much closer to the territory of their Two Thousand tourmates, Phoenix). "Hey I Wait I"'s galloping piano melody and "Basement D.C."'s carefully layered keyboards, guitars, and handclaps are particularly ear-catching, but the overall lushness and detail of Two Thousand's production and arrangements end up being the album's strongest points instead of its songs. A few tracks have songwriting equal to the album's sonics, offering some tantalizing glimpses of the French Kicks at their best. The sparkly, swooning "Also Ran" feels like a logical progression from Trial of the Century, while "No Mean Time"'s quirky mix of acoustic guitars and a Motown-inspired bassline gives the song an appealing lightness and movement. "Go On" ends the album on a surprisingly tense, moody note, but best of all is "England Just Will Not Let You Recover," which melds a skipping electronic beat, keyboard melodies and countermelodies that pop in and out, and silky, bittersweet vocals into one of band's best songs to date. On Trial of the Century and this album, it's clear that the French Kicks have worked hard on developing their music. Two Thousand is nothing if not well crafted; that it doesn't have more memorable moments is as frustrating as it is mystifying.
© Heather Phares /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 10 track(s)
- Total length: 00:42:01
- Main artists: French Kicks
- Label: Vagrant Records
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock Alternative & Indie
© 2006 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2006 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.