They follow the tradition of the tempestuous male/female sparring of bands like X and Royal Trux with an utterly current sense of uneasy self-awareness.  Full text...

The first thing the band has going for it is the atmosphere it creates, or, conversely, the lack thereof. No Wow is almost painfully sparse, with Hotel’s simple, steady drums matching the straightforward guitar lines and vocals from VV.  Full text...

Compared to No Wow, The Kills' 2003 full-length debut, Keep on Your Mean Side, was positively baroque. Whittling things down to the bare essence, No Wow finds the duo of Alison "VV" Mosshart and Jamie "Hotel" Hince seeking the core of their maroon-colored blues sound.  Full text...

The sparse percussion and repetitive riffs employed on No Wow recall the edgy sound of Alan Vega's Suicide, the key difference being the languid vocals of VV (Alison), reminiscent of a more languid PJ Harvey. It's a distinctive sound which works well on a number of tracks.  Full text...

Their sound has progressed so far beyond the stagnating world of blues rock that it's almost scary, incorporating swatches of brutal noir and bombastic electro-punk into the virulent elixir.  Full text...

Give it some volume and the music's spidery insinuation will pull you in. But you'll want to remember the way out.  Full text...

The Kills are that kind of a duo -- partners in crime, sounding every bit the part, as though no interference (or criticism) can affect their journey. All they're lacking are a dress and a pair of handcuffs.  Full text...

No Wow doesn't make a huge stylistic leap from The Kills' 2003 debut, Keep On Your Mean Side. VV and Hotel may not have that in them. Instead, they narrow the focus and amp up the intensity.  Full text...

There is pleasure to be found in No Wow, though next time they'd be better off using their own voice.  Full text...

Their second album lacks substance.  Full text...