The French Kicks

Two Thousand

Star Time International/Vagrant • http://www.frenchkicks.com

Fluidity is an appreciated quality in high-standard goods: the lines of a custom-fit suit, a sleek sports car, a thoroughbred racing horse. But in pop-rock music, fluidity can be almost unnerving; the majority is meant to startle, to jolt, to be a good-natured slap to the back of the head.

The French Kicks just can’t seem to follow the rules of pop-rock. Instead, although they want to write in all manner of hooks, rolling drum lines and smart lyrics, they want their audience to feel their music as a bright spot of sunshine on the face, rather than a casual smack.

They’ve been perfecting this formula since 1998, changing up band members and touring with acts such as The Walkmen, affixing to themselves a solid backing of respect for their ability to write well-formed songs that are danceable, dreamy, poppy and imploring, with boyishly lilting vocal harmonies; pretty, but unaffected.

Two Thousand sees The French Kicks obtain a firmer grasp on their own sound by using it as a foundation to experiment with new instruments. Greek mandolin-inspired strumming, brush drumming and percussion extras give Two Thousand a worldly air while keeping the dreamy pop-rock brand of the band fresh and sparkling. “Also Ran” and “Knee High” are reminiscent of an 80s new wave dance party while “So Far We Are” is garage-y and “No Mean Time” is the closest thing to power pop The French Kicks have gotten around to yet. Despite this diversification, the songs of Two Thousand stay in the same fluid vein of their traditional sound, pumping out danceable pop, more sugar than vinegar.