The Kills - Ash and Ice

The Kills are a transatlantic duo featuring English guitarist Jamie Hince and American singer Alison Mosshart who is also well known as the singer in Jack White’s Dead Weather project.

First single Doing It To Death kicks us off with some YeahYeahYeah's flavoured slo-mo techno vibes; 6Music are all over this and it’s easy to see why. Signature moves are blues guitar and drum machine beats but this is feeling more polished, their vampiric TV soundtracks a natural fit with American gothic sleaze and tales of doomed love. Bitter Fruit has some wiggle under it, urging some southern boogie; on Let It Drop Alison sings “You love me with hot hammers, then your blood runs cold” wonderfully realising the thrill has gone. They’ve been compared to the White Stripes but really are closer to Black Keys with no eye on the charts and a belting voice. Church organ lends gospel to Hum To Your Buzz and she testifies. Believe. That Love has a soft Beatles piano melody, but sweary lyrics that counterbalance; Echo Home is a fine blend of distorted, detuned guitar and murmured words, a sexy tune.