Midnight Boom
The Kills · 2008
33 min · 12 tracks · indie rock
A visceral blend of garage rock grit and danceable indie rhythms, punctuated by provocative lyrics and raw energy.
Top tracks — play these first
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Cheap and Cheerful — This track encapsulates the album's infectious energy and clever lyrical commentary on modern life, making it a standout hit that propelled the band's visibility.
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U.R.A. Fever — Opening the album with a relentless drive, this song combines hypnotic rhythms and gritty vocals to set the tone for the entire record.
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Last Day of Magic — A haunting exploration of nostalgia and loss, this track showcases the band's lyrical depth while maintaining an engaging melodic structure.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends energetic rhythms with atmospheric moments, showcasing strong songwriting and production.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a driving beat on 'U.R.A. Fever', immediately establishing a high energy that persists through the first half.
- The latter part of the album introduces more atmospheric elements, such as the layered vocals in 'What New York Used to Be', creating a contrast with earlier tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short, punchy listening sessions
- energetic background focus
- quick bursts of energy
- front-loaded intensity
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2008, Midnight Boom is The Kills' third studio album, following the critically acclaimed No Wow. By this time, the duo had established a distinct sound that fused punk influences with a more polished production style, marking their transition into broader indie rock territory.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Yeah Yeah Yeahs· The White Stripes· Interpol
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 U.R.A. Fever 2:16
- 2 Cheap and Cheerful 2:26
- 3 Tape Song 3:35
- 4 Getting Down 2:55
- 5 Last Day of Magic 3:21
- 6 Hook and Line 2:03
- 7 Black Balloon 3:46
- 8 M.E.X.I.C.O. 1:37
- 9 Sour Cherry 3:06
- 10 Alphabet Pony 1:45
- 11 What New York Used to Be 3:15
- 12 Goodnight Bad Morning 3:51
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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