The Kooks

With the recent surge of retro-inspired Brit pop in the indie scene, innovative bands come as a refreshing change. Unfortunately, the Kooks are not one of them. They are, however, a successful addition to the ranks.

The Brighton foursome, whose debut album Inside In/Inside Out saw unexpected success in 2006, returns with upbeat, infectious melodies and youthful emotion that are so addictive it's impossible to hate. Their new release, Konk, picks up where Inside In/Inside Out left off, creating a fast-paced blend of vintage guitar riffs softened by frontman Luke Pritchard's thick English accent.

On Konk, the Kooks further demonstrate their ability to appeal to the masses, drawing influence from fellow Brits Oasis, Coldplay and the Kinks. The band's name itself is an allusion to David Bowie's song "Kooks," while the album's title references Konk Studios, owned by Kinks' singer/songwriter Ray Davies.

With such subtle conceits, the Kooks display a sense of self-awareness that is fundamental to their music. Their sound is ultimately an extension of the band's philosophy-that music should be fun, uplifting and universally appealing. In those respects at least, the album is a success.

However, it is that very attempt to gain widespread appeal that threatens to be the Kooks' downfall. While enjoyable, each song so closely resembles its predecessor that it becomes unremarkable. Tracks "Mr. Maker" and "Shine On" boast unpretentious lyrics tinged with romantic optimism characteristic of the Kooks, while an equally spirited "Do You Wanna" shows off a naive arrogance as Pritchard chants "Do you wanna, do you wanna make love to me?/I know you wanna, I know you wanna make love to me." Songs like "Gap" and "See the Sun" have the potential to become popular singles, yet they too are almost overshadowed by the album's overall monotony.

Though repetitious, Konk is far from offensive. On the contrary, at times it is almost irritatingly likeable. But without further development or striking originality, the Kooks will be hard-pressed to achieve the scope of their ambition.