It’s a Partie Traumatic
Review of the Black Kids much buzzed about full length album, which continues to showcase the groups dance rock element, with anthemic choruses and word play that would make a Brooklyn battle rapper envious.
2008 was an explosive year for the Jacksonville, FL based indie rock band “Black Kids”. Formed in 2006 by guitarist/vocalist Reggie Youngblood, sister Ali Youngblood, Dawn Watley (both on keyboards and vocals), Owen Holmes (bass), and Kevin Snow (drums), the group laid low until they played the Athens Popfest in Athens, GA. Their EP Wizard of Ahhhs immediately started to get a good amount of indie buzz. With the media all a flutter over the young up-and-comers they embarked on a massive tour in support of the 4 song album with appearances opening for electronic band Cut Copy, a tour alongside indie pop singer/songwriter Kate Nash, and an appearance at the famed Coachella music festival.
In 2008 they followed up this success with the release of their full length album Partie Traumatic. The 10 track album continued to showcase the groups dance rock element, with anthemic choruses and word play that would make a Brooklyn battle rapper envious. On the track “Hurricane Jane” the band laments having a lonely Friday night after being rejected by the hard partying dance machine known as Jane. The title track “Partie Traumatic” implores us to not be so passive, and that this band, “live like champs, though we’re unemployed. We get it automatic.”
- Photo courtesy of The Guardian.
The album was well received in the U.S., peaking at number 127 on the Billboard Hot Charts. In the UK , however the album was a smash hit, reaching all the way to number 2 on the UK Album Charts. This prompted the group to appear on the late night talk show circuit, with appearances on “The Late Show with David Letterman”, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” When the year rounded out the accolades still hadn’t stopped. The New York Times placed the album at number 4 on it’s “Best Albums of 2008” list, “SPIN” magazine placed the album at number 22 on it’s list of the top 40 albums of the year. The albums first single “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You” hit number 11 on the UK Singles charts.
As of 2009 the group has been on a U.S. tour alongside husband/wife indie pop group “Mates of State” and will be playing at the Trocadero club in Philadelphia on April 3 at 8:00 PM.
