The Kills — Midnight Boom

Spawned during a string of late-night recording sessions, The Kills' aptly titled third full-length is yet another batch of minimalist rock noir. And as usual, there's plenty of irreverent goodness to go around. "Time ain't gonna cure you, honey/Time don't give a shit," sings the London duo's female half VV on "Tape Song," just before it explodes into a fractured fit of distorted guitar and thudding drums. The cheery mood can also be felt on "Cheap And Cheerful," where she bemoans the boredom of being sane and happy. Like 2005's No Wow, Midnight Boom threatens to overstay its welcome as it plays on. How many gritty, sexed-up rockers can one take in a sitting, really? But just when your ears start to tire, "Black Balloon" offers up a mid-album breather that's, wait for it, kind of pretty. And while the duo quickly get back to business on the feedback-drenched "M.E.X.I.C.O.U.," they end it all with sleepy, comedown closer "Goodnight Bad Morning." You can look forward to seeing The Kills plastered on magazine covers all over again soon.

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