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.

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: ***