Quick, Before It Melts.

I've been really enjoying Partie Traumatic, the debut album from Black Kids. Originally hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, Black Kids kick-started their career with an attention-grabbing set at the Athens Popfest a few years ago, and since then have been on a musical thrill ride that's taken them to the UK and back, where they worked with Bernard Butler (Suede, The Tears) on their debut album.

There's some similarities to Los Campesinos!, mainly in the quirky lyrical content and smart-ass song titles. Musically speaking, Black Kids are more new wave than indie pop in my estimation, with the slightest touch of soul and R & B thrown in to give the songs a bit of, *ahem* colour. "Hurricane Jane" in particular sounds like it has some Detroit soul influences on it, but so far my favourite is current single, "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You," with it's almost rockabilly-like opening guitar riffs bleeding into a wash of synths that could have been on the last Killers album. Please note, the link below is not a direct download; click the song to be taken to a site where you can download the track yourself.



Long time no contest on QBiM! Well, today's your lucky day! Up for grabs, thanks to the fine folks at Columbia Records, is a Black Kids prize pack consisting of a tote bag, limited edition t-shirt and vinyl copy of the album. It's all you just for sending an electronic mail-type message to contests AT quickbeforeitmelts DOT com with "I want to Partie Traumatic with Black Kids!" in the subject line, and your full mailing address in the message body. Contest closes at 11:59 pm, Friday July 26, 2008.