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We The Kings

Smile Kid

Written by: TL on 13/01/2010 17:22:40

We The Kings is a band I discovered later than everybody else, when apparently they were runner ups for some Best Upstart Award of 2007 a good while ago, and checking them out, I noted that while they had a few super catchy tracks, capable of becoming guilty pleasures (see: "Check Yes Juliet" and "Secret Valentine") the originality level of their radio-friendly brand of pop-rock/punk seemed slightly too low to really make a lasting impression on the more enlightened music fan. Nevertheless, when they released their sophomore "Smile Kid" this past Christmas, I still thought that I'd check it out just for shit and giggles.

The truth of the matter however, is that We The Kings haven't changed a bit from album to album. They're still super catchy, super cheesy and super shallow pop-punk, and still they present us with tracks that are instantly enjoyable and singalongable, some three or four of which stand out above the rest - "She Takes Me High", "Heaven Can Wait", "Spin", "The Story Of Your Life" - while the rest have more of a filler character. Common for all is that the level of intelligence and depth of emotion is kept minimal, probably not to confuse the target audience which must certainly be females in the age between 12 and 16.

And that's really all there is to it - no need to make a marathon review out of this one I think. In reality, as catchy an proficient as WTK are, as long as they write docile Kelly Clarkson-level material like this stuff, they'll always seem like little more than a guilty pleasure - Little more than that second rate substitue for All Time Low or Cartel, both of which come with higher recommendations. But hey, if you're in the market for some candyfloss-flavored powerpop to keep you bouncing through a day, then this can and will deliver, at least for a week or so.

Download: She Takes Me High, Heaven Can Wait, Spin
For The Fans Of: All Time Low, Cartel, Cute Is What We Aim For
Listen: myspace.com/wethekings

Release Date 08.12.2009
S-Curve Records