Inside In/Inside Out - Kooks

Advantages: The album is full of highlights.
Disadvantages: Some of the tracks are a little lacklustre.

The Kooks formed in 2004 whilst at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music where they were all students. The band were signed instantly to Virgin Records after playing and impressing at Brighton's Free Butt Festival. Their fourteen track 'Inside In/Inside Out' album was consequently released in January 2006, an album from which six Top 40 singles were released. The bands most commercially successful single to date has been 'Naïve', a track which hit ...
...The single actually turned out to be the 19th best selling single of 2006, a true testament to the strength of this release. The first time I came to know of The Kooks was when I saw them supporting The Subways at Brixton Academy. I didn't really think much of them, and whilst a friend of mine had seen a music video of theirs on MTV2 the previous week and seemed mildly impressed with their performance, I found them to be a bit bland and paid little ... Read review

Advantages: You might get caught dancing in the kitchen
Disadvantages: Some horrible NOISE tracks

...one day whilst in Sainsbury's, Inside In Inside Out by the Kooks came jumping off the shelf into my basket. Really impressed with the only song I knew from them, She Moves In Her Own Way, I decided this CD should move into my kitchen. The kitchen is where I listen to most music and it amused me to think I could be Kooking in the kitchen (yes yes, I know, I don't get out enough). But anyway, I couldn't wait to listen to this new purchase so I decided ...
...in her own way…?' Inside In Inside Out is the debut album from The Kooks, a band made up of four males from Brighton comprising Luke Pritchard (lead vocals, guitar), Hugh Harris (lead guitar), Max Rafferty (bass guitar) and Paul Garred (drums & percussion). Their style of music is Indie Rock and similar to bands like Razorlight, Coldplay and Maroon Five. This album has been out since January of this year and has spent months in the top 20 and has ... Read review

Advantages: Great Mix of Styles, Original, Upbeat
Disadvantages: None

Inside In/Inside Out by Brighton originated indie-pop band The Kooks was first released in January 2006; it's still getting airtime on the radio here in the UK over two years later. No less than six of the fourteen tracks on the album achieved top forty status as singles in the UK charts; an impressive achievement for any album let alone a debut. It peaked at number two in the UK charts and did almost as well in both Ireland and Belgium as well. ...
...special and the mild music and agreeable lyrics bear no indication of the funky indie-pop that follows. "See the World" is where The Kooks first grab our attention with their Nirvana-esque slurred lyrics and metallic guitar thrashes. There's nothing overtly special about this track but it's a great slice of indie-metal that leads the album nicely away from its gentle opener despite being in such stark contrast to it. "Eddie's Gun" is where we first ... Read review

Advantages: Catchy summmery songs, easy to listen to, singers unique voice
Disadvantages: Maybe not as lyrically strong as other current bands

The Kooks take their name from a David Bowie album, Hunky Dory, they're a punky band with modern rock flare. They come from the South Coast and are a Brighton based band. Brighton has produced bands like The Electric Soft Parade and British Sea Power, and it's a fantastic night out! The band met at college and started sending out demos to record companies, the band eventually managed to secure a record deal with Virgin despite only being together ...
...like The Rolling Stones and The Thrills signed to them. They're all aged between 18 and 22 years of age. The band lineup consists of :- Hugh Harris - Lead Guitar Luke Pritchard - Vocals, Guitar Max Rafferty - Bass Guitar Paul Garred - Drums The Kooks regard artists such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Stone Roses, The Doors and The Kinks as influences to their music, which is quite obvious on their Britpop/Psychedelic/Eclectic debut album. The debut ... Read review

Advantages: Decent debut album, sprung from nowherem building a gradual reputation
Disadvantages: Maybe the wrong choice of track to end the album.

...Supergrass I'd certainly recommend giving Inside In/Inside Out a try as I'm 99% sure you'll love it. If your not convinced then listen to a couple of tracks, in particular "Naïve" and "You Don't Love Me" and I'm sure it wont take long for the album to become part of your collection. Amazon: £6.99 Amazon marketplace: £5.52 ... Read review

Advantages: An array of magnificent tracks, Experimental, Creative, Great Album
Disadvantages: A few loose links

...Background Information: The kooks are an Indie Rock band formed in Brighton, England in 2004 consisting of Luke Pritchard, Hugh Harris, Paul Garred and Dan Logan. Their debut album Inside In/ Inside Out went on to reach critical acclaim peaking at 2 in the charts and with it brought an influx of fans that have paved their way to success. Konk is their recently named second album that peaked at number one in the charts with its first single "always where i need to be" peaking at 3. Band Line up: Luke Pritchard Lead Vocalist/Guitarist Hugh Harris Lead Guitarist/Back up vocalist Paul Garred Drummer Dan Logan Bassist Ex Members: Max Rafferty Bassist KONK Anticipating "todays" album is like anticipating a holiday. You wait all year and then when it's the day of departure your flight is late, your hotel is grubby... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Couple of simple, feel good tracks.
Disadvantages: Repetitive, almost boring. No real growth or variety for the band.

...This album was no more, no less than what I expected the Kooks to come back with following 'Inside In/Inside Out', which was sweet in so many words, with a few good, solid catchy pop tracks which were sure hits. Konk cannot be described as anything other than 'OK', which in my mind, is the last thing that a band has in THEIR mind as their aim when sat down producing and recording their material. There are a few of these 'ok' tracks, including 'Always Where I Need To Be', 'Shine On', 'Sway' and 'Do You Wanna', but they have nothing on the hits from 'Inside In/Inside Out'. The album shows little progress, development & growth on the band's part, if any at all. The Kooks had their career high, I believe, with their debut album, and although they'll continue to release ok standard tracks such as the above, they'll fail to captivate... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful