Keep on Your Mean Side

The Kills: Jamie Hotel (vocals, guitar, viola, harmonica, organ, drums, programming); V.V. Alison (vocals, guitar).
The first full-length album by the Kills, 2003's KEEP ON YOUR MEAN SIDE offers up a stirring collection of trans-Atlantic indie-blues/punk. Consisting of Floridian singer/guitarist Alison "VV" Mosshart and London-based singer/multi-instrumentalist Jamie "Hotel" Hince, the duo superficially warrant their many White Stripes comparisons, but the Kills' strong Velvet Underground and Pretenders leanings set them comfortably apart from Jack and Meg White. While the woozy "Kissy Kissy" channels VU through a Jesus & Mary Chain/Mazzy Star filter, "Fried My Little Brains" is a revved-up stomper, and "Wait" showcases Mosshart's powerful and expressive lead vocals. An assured and dynamic debut, MEAN SIDE kicks off the Kills' career with considerable verve and aplomb.