''Junk of the Heart'' is the third
studio album
An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as Digital distribution#Music, digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early ...
from British indie band
The Kooks
The Kooks () are an English pop-rock band formed in 2004 in Brighton. The band consists of Luke Pritchard (vocals/rhythm guitar), Hugh Harris (lead guitar/synthesizer/bass) and Alexis Nunez (drums).
Their music is primarily influenced by the ...
. It was released in Europe on 9 September 2011, and in the United Kingdom on 12 September 2011 by
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a record label owned by Universal Music Group. It originally founded as a British independent record label in 1972 by entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Simon Draper, Nik Powell, and musician Tom Newman. It grew to be a worldwid ...
. The first single, "Is It Me", was released on 4 September 2011 and the second single, "Junk of the Heart (Happy)" was released on 6 November 2011. This was the last album to feature original drummer Paul Garred.
Writing and recording
In April 2009, The Kooks revealed to BBC's Newsbeat that they were working on their third studio album. Frontman Luke Pritchard told Newsbeat, "We kind of barricaded ourselves in the countryside for a few weeks—stayed at some friends' who have a cottage in Norfolk." By August 2010, initial recording sessions had been produced by
Jim Abbiss
Jim Abbiss is a British music producer, best known for his work on records including the debut album of Editors ('' The Back Room''), Arctic Monkeys' Mercury Music Prize winning debut album, ''Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not'', Ka ...
(
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English rock band formed in Sheffield in 2002. The group consists of Alex Turner (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Jamie Cook (guitar, keyboards), Nick O'Malley (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Matt Helders (drums, back ...
,
Kasabian
Kasabian ( ) are an English rock band formed in Leicester in 1997 by lead vocalist Tom Meighan, guitarist and occasional vocalist Sergio Pizzorno, guitarist Chris Karloff, and bassist Chris Edwards. Drummer Ian Matthews joined in 2004. Karlof ...
,
Adele
Adele Laurie Blue Adkins (, ; born 5 May 1988), professionally known by the mononym Adele, is an English singer and songwriter. After graduating in arts from the BRIT School in 2006, Adele signed a reco ...
), with songs such as "Weight of the World", "Winds of Change", "Window to the Soul", "Strange One", "Rainbow", "Carried Away" and "The Saboteur" in contention for the album. Pritchard stated that the band's sound had changed drastically with the presence of new bassist Peter Denton and drummer Chris Prendergast, both of whom had joined The Kooks during the
''Konk'' touring cycle.
However, after working on six songs with Abbiss, the band decided to part ways with the producer because "we felt that it wasn’t the right direction — we were going down a road we’d already gone down. We felt that we weren’t progressing," said Pritchard.
After Pritchard voiced his concerns to Tony Hoffer, producer of the band's first two albums, Hoffer suggested that the band "needed to open new doors in terms of production and instrumentation." This inspired Pritchard to re-write and re-record the whole album with Hoffer as producer, after initial hesitation from the other band members who were concerned that working with Hoffer again would lead to repeating the sound of the first two albums.
The Hoffer sessions also saw the return of original drummer Paul Garred, who had previously left the band due to nerve damage in his left arm but had recovered sufficiently to be involved in the recording, if not the writing. "The way that we work is that we’ll write and record together, but he doesn’t feel comfortable on the road at the moment. But who knows in the future," said Pritchard regarding Garred's involvement with the band after the album's release. Prendergast resumed touring with the band leading up to the album's release in September 2011, while Garred was involved in promotional duties, including press photos, interviews, videos and live sessions. By October,
Denny Weston Jr. - who played percussion during the album recording sessions - had replaced Prendergast as tour drummer and would retain the position until mid-2012, while Garred would leave the band permanently in November 2011. From summer 2012 to mid-2013, the remainder of the ''Junk of the Heart'' touring cycle would be completed with former
Golden Silvers drummer Alexis Nunez, who would eventually become a full member of the band and be involved in their next studio album,
''Listen''.
Critical reception
{{Album ratings
, MC = 54/100
[{{cite web, url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/junk-of-the-heart/the-kooks, title=Junk of the Heart by The Kooks, publisher=]Metacritic
Metacritic is a website that review aggregator, aggregates reviews of films, TV shows, music albums, video games and formerly, books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted arithmetic mean, weighted average). M ...
, access-date=18 April 2021
, rev1 =
AllMusic
AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...
, rev1Score = {{Rating, 2.5, 5
, rev2 = ''
Drowned in Sound
''Drowned in Sound'', sometimes abbreviated to ''DiS'', is a UK-based music webzine financed by artist management company Silentway. Founded by editor Sean Adams, the site features reviews, news, interviews, and discussion forums.
History
''D ...
''
, rev2score = 5/10
, rev3 = ''
The Guardian
''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...
''
, rev3score = {{Rating, 3, 5
, rev4 = ''
MusicOMH
MusicOMH (stylized as musicOMH) is a London-based online music magazine which publishes independent reviews, features and interviews from across all genres including classical, metal, rock and R&B.
History
MusicOMH was founded and launched by ...
''
, rev4score = {{Rating, 3, 5
[{{cite web, url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/the-kooks-junk-of-the-heart, title=MusicOMH Review, website=]MusicOMH
MusicOMH (stylized as musicOMH) is a London-based online music magazine which publishes independent reviews, features and interviews from across all genres including classical, metal, rock and R&B.
History
MusicOMH was founded and launched by ...
, last=Burgess, first=Andrew, date=12 September 2011, access-date=19 April 2021
, rev5 = ''
NME
''New Musical Express'' (''NME'') is a British music, film, gaming, and culture website and brand. Founded as a newspaper in 1952, with the publication being referred to as a 'rock inkie', the NME would become a magazine that ended up as a f ...
''
, rev5Score = {{Rating, 2, 5
, rev6 = ''
Paste''
, rev6score = 6/10
, rev7 = ''
PopMatters
''PopMatters'' is an international online magazine of cultural criticism that covers aspects of popular culture. ''PopMatters'' publishes reviews, interviews, and essays on cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, fi ...
''
, rev7score = 7/10
[{{cite web, url=https://www.popmatters.com/146733-the-kooks-junk-of-the-heart-2495962640.html, title=PopMatters Review, website=]PopMatters
''PopMatters'' is an international online magazine of cultural criticism that covers aspects of popular culture. ''PopMatters'' publishes reviews, interviews, and essays on cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, fi ...
, last=Ezell, first=Brice, date=15 September 2011, access-date=19 April 2021
, rev8 = ''
Spin
Spin or spinning most often refers to:
* Spinning (textiles), the creation of yarn or thread by twisting fibers together, traditionally by hand spinning
* Spin, the rotation of an object around a central axis
* Spin (propaganda), an intentionally b ...
''
, rev8Score = {{rating, 6, 10
[{{cite web, url=https://www.spin.com/2011/09/kooks-junk-heart-astralwerks/, title=Spin Magazine Review, work=]Spin
Spin or spinning most often refers to:
* Spinning (textiles), the creation of yarn or thread by twisting fibers together, traditionally by hand spinning
* Spin, the rotation of an object around a central axis
* Spin (propaganda), an intentionally b ...
, last=Walters, first=Barry, date=13 September 2011, access-date=19 April 2021
, rev9 = ''
SputnikMusic
Sputnikmusic is an American music community website offering music criticism and music news alongside features commonly associated with wiki-style websites. The format of the website is unusual in that it includes both professional and amateur c ...
''
, rev9score = {{Rating, 3.5, 5
[{{cite web, url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/57744/The-Kooks-Junk-of-the-Heart/, title=SputnikMusic Review, website=]SputnikMusic
Sputnikmusic is an American music community website offering music criticism and music news alongside features commonly associated with wiki-style websites. The format of the website is unusual in that it includes both professional and amateur c ...
, date=3 July 2013, access-date=19 April 2021
''Junk of the Heart'' was met with "mixed or average" reviews from critics. At
Metacritic
Metacritic is a website that review aggregator, aggregates reviews of films, TV shows, music albums, video games and formerly, books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted arithmetic mean, weighted average). M ...
, which assigns a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, this release received an
average
In ordinary language, an average is a single number taken as representative of a list of numbers, usually the sum of the numbers divided by how many numbers are in the list (the arithmetic mean). For example, the average of the numbers 2, 3, 4, 7, ...
score of 54 based on 16 reviews.
It also received mixed reactions from fans on its release.
In a review for ''
MusicOMH
MusicOMH (stylized as musicOMH) is a London-based online music magazine which publishes independent reviews, features and interviews from across all genres including classical, metal, rock and R&B.
History
MusicOMH was founded and launched by ...
'', critic reviewer Andrew Burgess wrote: "Here, Pritchard and company aim for an even more mainstream success than Konk, and they will likely succeed in selling a boatload of albums. But they've lost something in the process."
''
Spin
Spin or spinning most often refers to:
* Spinning (textiles), the creation of yarn or thread by twisting fibers together, traditionally by hand spinning
* Spin, the rotation of an object around a central axis
* Spin (propaganda), an intentionally b ...
'' gave the album a 6/10, calling the tracks "both their best and blandest yet." Reviewer Barry Walters added, "The middle of the road was always their destiny, it seems, and they arrive with blatantly pleasant but character-free ditties."
At ''
SputnikMusic
Sputnikmusic is an American music community website offering music criticism and music news alongside features commonly associated with wiki-style websites. The format of the website is unusual in that it includes both professional and amateur c ...
'', the album was reviewed: "''Junk of the Heart'' is an exciting change of pace from their original sound and a leap forward for the band as a whole. The tracklisting on this album is okay and, despite a minor hiccup, seems to flow very nicely."
B-sides
;"Is It Me"
* "Winds of Change" (The Magic Shop, NYC)
* "Outstanding" (demo)
* "Stormy Weather" (live in Hartlepool)
;"Junk of the Heart"
* "
Pumped Up Kicks
"Pumped Up Kicks" is a song by American indie pop band Foster the People. It was released as the band's debut single in September 2010, and the following year was included on their EP ''Foster the People'' and their debut album, ''Torches''. "Pu ...
" (BBC live version)
* "Eskimo Kiss" (acoustic live version)
* "Runaway" (acoustic live version)
Track listing
{{tracklist
, title1 =
Junk of the Heart (Happy)
"Junk of the Heart (Happy)" is a song by British rock band, the Kooks, and the second single and opening track from their 2011 album.
Release and reception
AllMusic described the song as a "jangly, Dodgy-esque, summery opening title track". " ...
, writer1 = {{hlist, Luke Pritchard,
Tony Hoffer
Tony Hoffer is an American record producer, songwriter, and music mixer.
Career
Hoffer is credited for his work on multiple platinum-selling albums including The Kooks, The Thrills, Beck, Supergrass, Turin Brakes and Air. His records have been ...
, length1 = 3:07
, title2 = How'd You Like That
, writer2 = {{hlist, Pritchard, Hugh Harris
, length2 = 3:14
, title3 = Rosie
, writer3 = {{hlist, Pritchard, Harris
, length3 = 3:10
, title4 = Taking Pictures of You
, writer4 = Pritchard
, length4 = 2:42
, title5 = Fuck the World Off
, writer5 = Pritchard
, length5 = 2:52
, title6 = Time Above the Earth
, writer6 = {{hlist, Pritchard, Harris
, length6 = 1:54
, title7 = Runaway
, writer7 = {{hlist, Pritchard, Hoffer
, length7 = 3:00
, title8 = Is It Me
, writer8 = Pritchard
, length8 = 3:30
, title9 = Killing Me
, writer9 = {{hlist, Pritchard, Harris
, length9 = 3:25
, title10 = Petulia
, writer10 = Pritchard
, length10 = 2:42
, title11 = Eskimo Kiss
, writer11 = Pritchard
, length11 = 3:34
, title12 = Mr. Nice Guy
, writer12 = {{hlist, Pritchard, Peter Denton
, length12 = 2:40
{{Track listing
, collapsed = yes
, headline = iTunes bonus tracks
, title13 = Carried Away
, writer13 = {{hlist, Pritchard, Hoffer
, length13 = 4:02
, title14 = The Saboteur
, writer14 = Pritchard
, length14 = 4:34
{{Track listing
, collapsed = yes
, headline = Amazon bonus track
, title13 = Picture Frame
, writer13 = Pritchard
, length13 = 3:02
{{Track listing
, collapsed = yes
, headline = Japanese limited edition bonus track
, title13 = Good Times
, writer13 = Pritchard
, length13 = 4:41
Personnel
{{col-begin
{{col-2
;The Kooks
[{{cite web, url=http://www.contactmusic.com/press/the-kooks-return-with-new-single-down-available-april-20-listen , title=The Kooks Return With New Single 'Down,' Available April 20 ]isten
Isten may refer to:
Mythology
* Istanu, a god in Anatolian mythology
* ''Isten'', an alternative spelling of Astennu, a figure in Egyptian mythology
* ''Isten'' () is the word for God in the Hungarian language
Others
* Isten, áldd meg a magyart ...
, publisher=Contactmusic.com
Contactmusic.com is an online magazine of cultural criticism based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, and ...
, access-date=24 April 2014
* Luke Pritchard – vocals, guitar, piano
* Hugh Harris – guitar, piano, string arrangements
(tracks 6 and 7), backing vocals
* Peter Denton – bass guitar, backing vocals, piano, synths
* Paul Garred – drums
{{col-2
;Additional personnel
* Tony Hoffer – production, programming, synths
* Cydney Robinson – backing vocals
(track 3)
*
Denny Weston Jr. – percussion
(tracks 7 and 11)
* The Section Quartet – strings
(tracks 6 and 7)
* Jim Abbiss – production
(bonus tracks only)
* Chris Prendergast – drums
(bonus tracks only)
{{col-end
Charts
{, class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
, -
! Chart (2011)
! Peak
position
, -
{{album chart, Australia, 9, artist=The Kooks, album=Junk of the Heart, access-date=15 September 2014, rowheader=true
, -
{{album chart, Austria, 9, artist=The Kooks, album=Junk of the Heart, access-date=15 September 2014, rowheader=true
, -
{{album chart, Flanders, 16, artist=The Kooks, album=Junk of the Heart, access-date=15 September 2014, rowheader=true
, -
{{album chart, Wallonia, 28, artist=The Kooks, album=Junk of the Heart, access-date=15 September 2014, rowheader=true
, -
{{album chart, Netherlands, 6, artist=The Kooks, album=Junk of the Heart, access-date=15 September 2014, rowheader=true
, -
{{album chart, France, 19, artist=The Kooks, album=Junk of the Heart, access-date=15 September 2014, rowheader=true
, -
{{album chart, Germany, 6, artist=The Kooks, album=Junk of the Heart, access-date=15 September 2014, rowheader=true
, -
{{album chart, Ireland, 41, artist=The Kooks, album=Junk of the Heart, year=2011, week=37, access-date=15 September 2014, rowheader=true
, -
{{album chart, Mexico, 66, artist=The Kooks, album=Junk of the Heart, access-date=15 September 2014, rowheader=true
, -
{{album chart, New Zealand, 30, artist=The Kooks, album=Junk of the Heart, access-date=15 September 2014, rowheader=true
, -
{{album chart, Norway, 27, artist=The Kooks, album=Junk of the Heart, access-date=15 September 2014, rowheader=true
, -
{{album chart, Spain, 25, artist=The Kooks, album=Junk of the Heart, access-date=15 September 2014, rowheader=true
, -
{{album chart, Switzerland, 8, artist=The Kooks, album=Junk of the Heart, access-date=15 September 2014, rowheader=true
, -
{{album chart, UK, 10, artist=The Kooks, album=Junk of the Heart, access-date=15 September 2014, rowheader=true
, -
{{album chart, Billboard200, 68, artist=The Kooks, album=Junk of the Heart, access-date=15 September 2014, rowheader=true
, -
{{album chart, BillboardRock, 20, artist=The Kooks, album=Junk of the Heart, access-date=15 September 2014, rowheader=true
, -
{{album chart, BillboardAlternative, 11, artist=The Kooks, album=Junk of the Heart, access-date=15 September 2014, rowheader=true
References
{{Reflist, 30em
{{The Kooks
{{Authority control
2011 albums
The Kooks albums
Virgin Records albums
Albums produced by Tony Hoffer