Power duo gets it right the first time

Vocalist and guitarist VV can spin you from raspy Chrissie Hynde-sexy to the sweetness of self-endearment in six steps. Alison Mosshart (VV's real name) knows how to spill over with just a bit of self-destruction to make punk rock interesting, while avoiding the chick-rock stereotypes and your dreams of black leather and silk stockings. \n Hotel's (Jamie Hince, a dude) additional vocals and percussive precision pairs quite nicely with VV's stylings. Together they propel The Kills pretty close to whatever references you could make to other two-person bands out there. Keep on Your Mean Side, the duo's first full-length release, reeks of the same sort of unburdening depth and agony today's rock stars should steal from bands like them and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. There's enough crunch in the guitar and punch in the kick drum to make you forget there's only two people playing. Who the hell needs a bass player anyway? VV and Hotel aren't just one-trick rockponies, though. On some tracks, VV's and Hotel's vocals race each other toward desperation. Then on another, they pair up in a quiet, strong, resignation. It's not a point to prove but a means of getting there that the album conveys. On "Monkey 23," VV and Hotel wrap-up the punkness of it all with a sweet little wood block-backed acoustic ditty about a lady knowing her man and knowing that he's not what she wants followed by a bashful giggle at the end. Perfect.