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Recording:
 

Luck and Accident

 
 
Artist:
  Kim Novak  
 
Label:
 

Talitres Records

 
 
Release Date:
  2.April.2007  
 
Reviewed by:
  Brett Spaceman  
         
 
Rating:
   
         
 
Review:
 

They may have been named for the blonde Goddess of Hitchcock's masterpiece Vertigo, but my expectations for Kim Novak were not so giddy. More stabbing, abrasive guitar rhythms. More new wave of post-punk. Eyes glazing already? Yeah, well, stifle that yawn. I had to. Kim Novak's Luck & Accident forced me to, so I don't see why you should be any different.

On first listen, French art rockers Kim Novak sound like yet more makeweights in the great Joy Division wannabe steeplechase. Rank outsiders then, who will in all likelihood fall at the first fence and require shooting. Thing is, by the end of the race these guys are still running. Running hard.

What a cracking little album. In truth it is a little melodically challenging at first, but just needs those precious few listens for the required recognition to come though. One of the most impressive tracks on display is undoubtedly In the Mirror. This flickers stylistically between Tindersticks and Lou Reed. I'm both tempted and afraid to compare them to The National. Why tempted? Because it wouldn't be unjust. Why afraid? Again because it wouldn't be unjust, and right now I'm just not sure I could cope with another band as good as The National. Ant yet there is something slightly more warped about Kim Novak than say The National, Interpol, Tindersticks or anyone else we might care to mention in the same breath. Something less cool, less staged. Some Photographs reeks of Interpol, but theirs is an Interpol of cheap suits and bad hair. An Interpol lost to wild abandon. Maybe they should have titled this Le déclin de la puissance navale fran§ais? (Brendan's Translation: "the decline of French sea power")

There's so much (love) to admire in this record. The music is twitchy, arty and fun, bringing to mind Talking Heads far more than those ubiquitous Joy Division claims. The cover art recalls the opening of Dario Argento's Suspiria. (Am I right or am I right?) The titles themselves are delightful. I mean - Turn a Rabbit. How fantastic is that?

Racing certainties Kim Novak may not yet be, but perhaps we may be witnessing the first staggering steps of a newborn, soon to be thoroughbred?

Get your wallets out.

 
         
 
Related Links:
 

Label Website: http://www.talitres.com/
Band MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kimnovakk

 
         

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