KING'S X

King's X 4th album continues in pretty much the same vein as the first 3 with no real progression. In other words we still get Doug Pinnick's soulful vocals, the Beatles influenced harmonies, Ty Tabor's easily recognisable warm, heavy and inventive guitar. So it's pretty much another album of heavy rock with fortunately some great songs so we can forgive them for treading the same ground. However the title track in particular of their previous album, Faith Hope Love did see the band stretching out a bit and you can't help feeling that an opportunity was missed for a bit of progression.

The first two tracks kick off in fine King's X style with instantly memorable hooks. The World Around me has a great chugging riff complemented by excellent harmony work alongside Pinnick's lead and Prisoner is even better. Acoustic guitar alongside Tabor's trademark arpeggios and riffs and one of his most soulful solos too all contribute to make one of the albums best tracks.

Not wanting to go into each track individually, which due to the similar approach by the band to most of the material would lead to much repetition but other highlights include Lost in Germany, another excellent riff. Chariot Song is one of the more up tempo and heavier pieces and Junior's Gone Wild gave the band some much needed exposure by also featuring in the soundtrack of the film Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey. Unfortunately this excellent rocker did them little good in gaining them a wider following despite the cult success of the film at the time.

Due to the presence of a sitar Not Just For The Dead has an Indian flavour and towards the end of the album Black Flag proves to be the best track here with a killer riff and excellent vocals from Pinnick and of course those King's X harmonies. Another killer is wisely saved to close the album, Silent Wind offers nothing particularly new but is extremely catchy and memorable, though it does end with a haunting but short keyboard part.

So another very good album by King's X despite offering nothing new musically, though not quite in the same league as the first 3 but a deserved 3 ½ stars.

When I first purchased this album, I didn't quite know what to expect. There are certain King's X titles that are commonly seen on top album lists (Gretchen, Dogman), but rarely do I see this self-titled album. On closer inspection, this album doesn't really depart much from the sound of the three albums that precede it. While this may be the case, this is a strong album that shows that you don't have to mess with success.

The first two tracks, "The World Around Me" and "Prisoner", are two riff-heavy rockers that are catchy enough to be singles, and perhaps had "Black Flag" (a great song) been successful one of these tracks may have been used as a second single. You could also throw track four "Lost In Germany" in that category.

"The Chariot Song" is certainly the most complex song on the album with several tempo changes throughout. A fun listen with some heavy moments, followed by a slow but heavy "Ooh Song". "Not Just For The Dead" and "Dream In My Life" are beautiful songs that feature clean guitar with more emphasis on Ty's vocals instead of Doug's (on most King's X albums, all three members provide vocals, as is the case with this album). These two tracks are, in my opinion, the most positive and warming songs on the album (melodically) along with "Prisoner". The closing track, "Silent Wind", is a rather simple tune but is a solid though not spectacular song to end on.

However, there are a few tracks that I tend to pass over ("The Big Picture", "What I Know About Love") that do little to peak my interest, but the albums strengths outweigh these weaknesses. Unfortunately, the CD version of this album I own does not include "Junior's Gone Wild", so I cannot comment on that particular song.

This album would not be out of place in a prog music collection, though I would not consider this an essential purchase. A great album by a great band!

King's X were back a fourth time with a self-titled album!

But unfortunately, forgetting their progressive roots along the way to offer us a collection of hard rock songs of great quality, but with moderate interest for lovers of this genre.

In any case, it's impossible not to enjoy the good number of fine tracks that this "King's X" includes, with a pristine production and great musicianship from all the components of this power trio.

Best Tracks: World Around Me (good vocals and a contagious chorus), Prisoner (great guitar work, especially in the verses), Lost in Germany (a house brand song, with all the good that this band encompasses), Not Just for the Dead (fine sitar touches and another killer chorus) and Black Flag (very compelling hard rock song, with a hilarious video clip)

My Rating: ***

In 1992, almost all the elite of metal and hard music had nothing but good things to say about King's X (even Yngwie Malmsteen, although not a model of open-mindedness). Between the lack of recognition and the tensions with producer Sam Taylor, King's all the usual ingredients are present on the record, the recipe is scrupulously followed but the sauce does not take. The riffs lack substance, the choruses are too predictable, and in short, there is no enjoyable and spontaneous feeling of Gretchen Goes to Nebraska and Faith Hope Love. When Doug Pinnick admits to not even remembering the recording of this album, it helps to identify the problem: King's X makes an appearance, and that's it. The highlight of the album is "Dream in My Life"