Dave von Raven made the good decision in 2011 to close The Madd and to focus on Dutch-language repertoire with his new group The Kik. The Madd's strength was the catchy summery simple straightforward beat songs. The Kik adds three more elements that explain the band's success. Firstly, it is Dutch-speaking and therefore striking in the predominantly English-language pop landscape. Secondly, The Kik
… has a second frontman with Arjan Spies who is just as charming and witty as Dave von Raven. And third, there are more and more original songs from The Kik. The Madd almost only played covers, on their debut Springlevend, some of the songs were translated (that's how the hit Simone is actually called The Dancer, a song by the Australian band The Allusions), but on 2 sixteen of the seventeen songs are written by members of The Kik. That gives the band an even more likeable appearance than they already had. The quality of the songs has not deteriorated and that is absolutely great. Sounding simple is more difficult than many people think. In short: a great album, made by a few nice guys. That's The Kik, nothing more and nothing less. (HF)more