Released: March 7th 2005
What a strange thing, to have a parental advisory sticker on the cover due to the risqué pictures on its cardboard folds rather than any obscenity in the lyrics. But it’s downright appropriate for a band named after one of the more decadent Kings of the past. Each word drips and tingles with the overt sexuality, and when paired with a danceable rhythm, the mix is hard to resist.
The San Diego four piece has already started taking over the American radio waves with their first single, ‘Finding Out True Love Is Blind,’ liked almost immediately by most upon first listen even though the exact reason why cannot be truly pinpointed. ‘Louis XIV’ is just that, an egotistical trip all about ‘me, me, me, me’, but they are quite ‘neat’ and pull it off neatly. The EP’s title track, ‘Illegal Tender,’ stands as the highlight of this little EP, bringing to mind Jack White and his penchant to sing in a nasally voice over quirky guitars. ‘Marc’ is the slow one of the bunch, while ‘Louis Reprise’ is the mute one. And is that a hint of country music?
Overall, a nice taster of things to come on their forthcoming debut album. One can only hope that they will not be killed by their own hype and the keenness of radio DJs to play good songs one time too many.
Previously published on This Is Fake DIY.
