Physical weaknesses are naturally unpleasant for everyone. However for many musicians they are also a reason to create great pieces, look at Neil Young’s »Harvest« or Bob Dylan’s »John Wesley Harding«. After a number of surgeries on the hand, Jamie Hince, the male half of The Kills had to learn to play the guitar again, before the fifth album »Ash & Ice« could emerge. Their attitude is still characterized by coolness, between sexy and dangerous the sound is still minimalistic and raw, although not as minimalistic and raw as the earlier album. It is also striking that Alison Mosshart sings almost completely alone – the typical Kills-duets are mostly history. Once again tinkered with different rhythms and drum machines, the new album is more like »Midnight Boom« and less like the last work »Blood Pressures« which was pretty straight rock. Furthermore, sparks of wisdom of old age are visible, since on »Ash & Ice« there are noticeably many quiet pieces like the gently Blues »Hum For Your Buzz« with typical pipe organs, the piano-ballad »That Love« or »Echo Home«, where Hince then sings along. It doesn’t always have to be a masterpiece; sometimes illnesses are also valid reasons for a breather, in order to gain strength and to come to one’s senses.
Black Country, New Road
Forever Howlong
Ninja Tune