ON the surface, Florida pop quintet the Black Kids and American singer/ songwriter Sonya Kitchell have little to do with one another musically – where they connect is their passion for the song.
At separate but equally enjoyable performances Wednesday – Kitchell playing the Bowery Ballroom early and the Black Kids at Webster Hall late – both made you believe that they believe.
In her skirt-and-jacket combo, blond Kitchell looked as if she could have stepped out of a Young Republicans gathering. But her prim appearance stood in contrast to her fleet guitar work and wide-mouth wail. When she sang, there was a little Rickie Lee Jones (without the slurring), and some Joni Mitchell (without the jazz) in her voice. The Bowery crowd was sparse but obviously moved.
Meanwhile, at the Black Kids show, the house was packed but just as enthused for this buzz band with a knack for succinct and catchy pop.
The Black Kids played fast, upbeat party music in which shaggy-haired guitarist Reggie Youngblood traded vocals with his two female keyboard mates. Yeah, you might hear a bit of Beatles and maybe some Smiths, but the bright interplay of keys, guitar and voice seems to best reference the B-52’s.
And, also, the band’s songs liven up the party. “Listen to Your Body Tonight” was strikingly B-52’s, oiling the fans’ dancing bone for the night’s glam-slam home run, “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance with You.”
The worst that can be said of these newcomers is that their songbook is so limited it only allowed them to cobble together a 45-minute set, but it’s quality, not quantity, that matters.