French Kicks Are Somebodies Indeed

To the editors:

Leon Neyfakh’s review panning the French Kicks was aimlessly abrasive at best (Arts, Oct. 17). Although Neyfakh desperately tries to disparage the French Kicks with dramatic one liners (“the French Kicks are nobodies”) and weak wit (“the Kicks’ll be getting the boot faster than you can say ‘au revoir’”), his critique reads as though his vendetta is personal.

The French Kicks have enjoyed great success over the years and have built an ever growing international fan base. They are hardly the “guitar rock” band Neyfakh would love to ironically pin them as, but instead offer unique integrity among the neatly lumped “garage rock” movement. If “the French Kicks who played Axis were indubitably the very same French Kicks who made One Time Bells,” then consider those who actually appreciate good music relieved.

Jamie Hechinger
Nov. 15, 200