THE NOT-ITS! - "KidQuake!" (Album Review)

"Is that a park, Daddy?" asked my daughter, Addie, as she took a look at the colorful cover art by Don Clark of Invisible Creature, Inc (who does absolutely fantastic work, btw). "It looks like a park with instruments."

With ex-Velocity Girl (Sub Pop) vocalist Sarah Shannon leading the charge, THE NOT-ITS! are a platoon of indie-rock veterans that produce perfect music for those who lived the 90s alternative scene and have grown-up to have kids of their own. "Let's Skateboard" carries some IMPERIAL TEEN-esque vocal stylings, while "Walk or Ride" recalls THE LEMONHEADS a little bit with it's guitar melody. There's even little quirks that you might dig if you've ever enjoyed LETTERS TO CLEO or HARVEY DANGER (whose former drummer is a NOT-IT). You like a little of a new wave ska-kinda vibe? Then get "Busy"...

Family Music? Sure - it touches on temper tantrums, pet funerals, and trophies for participation, but it's all in the name of rock. Dig pinball? Check out "Full Tilt," which namechecks a bunch of arcade staples that I've played repeatedly (CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON and INDIANA JONES have sucked more than a few quarters from me over the years). That makes me a little worried actually... I don't know anywhere locally to expose my little ones to the joy of pinball. It's a dying art.

KidQuake! is an 11-track, 28-minute set that plays so well that you're ready to spin it all over again as soon as it's done. Don't be surprised if you find yourself listening to it for hours at a time.



The Rock Father Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Check out THE NOT-ITS! when they hit your town:

• -February 9 - FREE KidQuake! release party at The Vera Project, Seattle
• -February 16 - Symphony Space "Just Kidding" performance
• -February 17 - WXPN Music Festival, Philadelphia
• -February 18 - Jammin' Java, Vienna, VA, PLUS SiriusXM Kids Place Live Rumpus Room, Washington DC
• -March 9 - Mount Baker Community Center Kindiependent show

 
FTC Disclosure: A copy of this album was provided to The Rock Father for the purpose of review consideration. All opinions are that of James Zahn with feedback from his children. Aren't these disclosures dumb? I mean, it's kind of a standard that music is provided for review. Do they put these on every review in Rolling Stone or Spin?