Tag: kings x (Page 2 of 2)

When I reviewed Out Of The Silent Planet, I mentioned that the first 5 albums are all bonafide classics, well this is the 5th album. It was also the first without long time manager/svengali type figure – Sam Taylor. The sound is a lot heavier and the vibe is a lot darker. The album was also produced by hot producer of the time, Brendan O’Brien, and he worked his magic well as everything is louder, clearer, and fuller in the mix.

I will not ever hide my love for this band as there was a time when they were everything musically to me, and as I have already mentioned – the first 5 still do it for me. The opening track and title track is a statement of intent of the album as a whole – the huge sound just engulfs you. The trademark melodies and harmonies are still present – just surrounded by a new found heaviness. I think by this point they were also getting huge pressure from the record company to give them a hit single, and Let’s Pretend is this album’s attempt. It’s a great song, but by now I think everyone knew they were not a singles band. The melodies, vocal harmonies and the dirty groove of Shoes is just beautiful. The slow soulful blues of Flies And Blue Skies is just incredible. The vocals alone send shivers down your spine. It’s just a really moving song. The dirty drop D funk of Black The Sky follows, and jeez what a heavy sounding track. The guitar tone is off the charts. The laid back tones of Fool You are next, and shows just how versatile the band are. Fat, dirty, and heavy grooves return with Don’t Care – another epic tune. Harmonies, melody and big fat tone. This is what they want!

O’Brien’s production shines through on Sunshine Rain, everything is crisp and crystal clear. The short sharp blast of Complain is next, and if I were an A&R guy at the time – this would have been my choice of a single, simple and to the point. The supremely heavy, Human Behaviour, is next up. Nobody else do tunes like this…and I mean nobody. This is heavy in sound, not in speed or thrash. The tones and the groove are just huge…and the ever present harmonies. Jeez this is good!! Then with a flick of the switch the mood calms down with the beautiful Cigarettes. The 51 second short sharp punk rock blast of Go To Hell comes and goes, before penultimate track Pillow arrives with that deep bass rumble. The final track is a great cover of Hendrix’s Manic Depression – and we’re done.

Things were never the same after this album. Sure, they still made good records, and in places they were freaking awesome, but to me, this is the last great Kings X record.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

King’s X – a band that really defies logic. The critics loved them! Every album got glowing 5 star reviews, and yet other than a hardcore following, they never got the sales they deserved. I tried to it work out myself numerous times, and other than being Christians and some of their songs having Christian elements (it’s not in your face like Stryper for example), and maybe the songs were quite complex in places, but I’m at a loss. They have the classic band set up, a three piece with guitar, bass, and drums – and one of them sings – so the music has a chance to breath. They have one of the best rock singers in Doug Pinnick, an amazing guitarist in Ty Tabor, and a killer drummer in Jerry Gaskill. Everything should have been gold for these guys.

In The New Age is a great opening track, and right from the get go you know these guys are a cut above everyone else. This was ’88, and they were so much better than what was around them. The absolute awesome Goldilocks is next. The ultimate power ballad with so much feel and soul in the vocal. It has an epic solo in the middle, with wonderful melodies and harmonies. It makes a grown man cry!

This is a Metal Blade reissue, so it’s a double heavyweight LP and the tracks are spaced out more. It’s on to Side 2 we go with The Power Of Love, which is a somewhat simple song, but with great harmonies and a killer solo it turns into a whole different uplifting song. Wonder follows and is another epic song. The way it builds and grows is a joy to hear, and again the vocals and harmonies are insane.

Change the disc and to Side 3 we go, and the quality continues with Sometimes. A great riff and more superb harmonies. They really do compliment each other with different tones in their voices. Every song on this album would be a centerpiece song for any other band, but they just keep rolling them out. King is next, and again another great song and more of the same epic writing and delivery. Just when you think they can’t get any better up pops What Is This. I’m running out of superlatives to bestow on this greatness. This is a contender for my desert island song. It has everything!!! A killer vocal with so much soul and feel, and superb guitar playing (not just in the solos) -it sounds so huge.

Over to Side 4 and yet more greatness with Far Far Away. Just take my word for it – another amazing tune. The very commercial sounding Shot Of Love is next, and in a real world it would have made the singles chart. Then we come to the big ending with the track Visions. This was a great tune live as the pace really picks up in the song, and Ty just wails on the guitar.

I know I say this a lot but you really need this album in your life and soul. I find it a very uplifting record. Just a heads up that their first 5 albums are this good.

10/10 from The Grooveman.