Search - Gary Usher :: Greats 1: Knights Vs. Kickstand

4 stars for the kickstands only!

L. Kirsch | Chicago, IL United States | 06/17/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I picked the Kickstands LP up as a lark about 5 years ago at a thrift store in Joliet while visiting my mom. The cover art made me laugh and I noticed immediately this was basically a surf rip-off of the Beach Boys-but cashing in on the motorbike craze of the 60's instead of surfing.At first listen I found the vocals and some of the song writing annoying "he's got long black hair running down his neck, his bike's not clean cuz he doesn't give a heck" for example. I then set it aside except when I wanted some music for while I worked on my bike. However, the songs did begin to grow on me and I find the instrumentals quite catchy and solid, mood-setting compositions! "Riding South" is probably my favorite track of all, along with "Two Wheel Show-stopper". If the Kickstands don't grab you right away, they will, and that's a good thing. In actively listening you'll find the musicianship is quite good (these guys were studio musicians for other popular artists of the time that got together to produce an album). If you're looking for vintage surf with a hokey twist, look no further...As for the Knights...well...sounds like a pep rally at the Brady Brunch high school. Basically, I'm embarassed to be caught listening to it. The surf edge from the Kickstands release is lost to a very cheesy marching band horn section. The Chuck Berry cover of "School Days" and the Bill Haley cover of "Rock Around the Clock" are embarassing and painful to endure. The hard edge and stomping backbeat of the original sound is lost...Pat Boone did better."