The Kooks

This Brighton band is very earnest, a little messy and they certainly look up to their elders. Just check out the accented harmonies on songs like "Ooh La" and say a little prayer of thanks for the enduring influence of brothers Ray and Dave. Inside In/Inside Out was even recorded at the former Davies' Konk studios. But lyrically they are miles away from some of the topics tackled by the legendary Kinks' leader, who probably would not have been in the running for a songwriting credit on the laddish "Jackie Big Tits." We can only hope that the Kooks continue to emulate their idols while maintaining their youthful energy and originality without unraveling like similar U.K. acts with potential such as the Libertines.

British rock exports have been more hit than miss lately -- Arctic Monkeys, Art Brut,
Noisettes, cheers! -- so the Kooks serve as an important reminder that there are just as
many mediocre bands in the U.K. as there are here in the States. The faintly ska-tinged pub
rock from these floppy-haired Brighton rockers has inexplicably received lots of critical
lauds back home. There are a couple of decent Brit-pop numbers on their debut,... More >