King's X - XV

As a music consumer you ve got to be extremely cautious with a term such as cult band . It is often used to describe acts who are commercially unsuccessful or by groups trying to disguise their musical inabilities. With all due respect, this is certainly not the case with King s X. Doug Pinnick (vocals, bass), Jerry Gaskill (drums) and Ty Tabor (guitars) are consummate professionals who enjoy a brilliant reputation amongst fans, media and their peers. King s X s status as a cult band stems from their long time significance on the international rock scene as an all encompassing, fresh and innovative band. Their brand new album XV again proves to be a classic example of intelligent, varied and imaginative rock, on which they combine flawless skills, great compositions and superb production. Produced by sound maestro Michael Wagener in Nashville, Tennessee, the Texan power trio have produced one of the best albums of their successful career. And that is saying something! Product Description

Kings X - XV

Received on time and in perfect condition. Kings X is one of my favorite bands and I looked forward to receiving the CD from the date of purchase. It was all that I hoped for and more. November 3, 2008

Another Kings X success.

I love this band. This CD is a return to form. Heavy, and dark in spots, but still full of their amazing harmonies, and talent. If you like this band, this is a MUST have. So get your today. October 1, 2008

Green Like Moss (it DOES grow on you)

Honestly, I have been not only disappointed with more recent Kings X albums, but also with the majority of reviews on Amazon (long a trusted source for my music-buying forays)-- too often, the reviews are suffused with typical fan-style adulation and lack an objective critical perspective. In other words, I got tired of hearing "these guys still rock" in the absence of juicy details about exactly WHY.

My first listen to any album is basically "do nothing but sit and absorb the music" (i.e. I'm not surfing online or washing dishes or whatever). After that first pass, I was thinking "XV" was a 3-star effort (for reference, I'd give the best songs on "Gretchen" or "Dogman" 5-stars without a second thought, whereas many songs on "Manic Moonlight" would get just 1 star... I tend to evaluate bands by their best SONGS as opposed to album-only reviews). This album isn't too bad, but nothing caused an immediate jaw-dropping "wow" either.

Then, uncharacteristically, I decided to treat "XV" as background music while I worked in my home office (I say that because I usually try to give my favorite bands several "first listens" before doing anything while the album plays). First, I forgot who I was listening to and just drafted emails, shopped online and such. Then, I started catching little lyrical snippets and thinking, "Oh cool... what was that line?" Finally, I began appreciating whole songs for being honest efforts and having new sounds (I think it's now safe to say that with Kings X, "evolving" is not a euphemism for wandering, drifting and outright sucking). The music came into the foreground again and, enjoying this, I upgraded "XV" to 4 stars.

In the final analysis, I'd say there is hope for a revamped and revitalized Kings X sound. For me, "Manic Moonlight" represented the band's nadir, and "Ogre Tones" showed notable improvement on many fronts (production, songwriting and packaging alike... yes, I like to hold/read things while I listen). So "XV" continues an uphill climb, at least at a shuffle if not a gallop. And I agree with some folks that Kings X is now far more a "rock" band than a "metal" act (quotes because I don't usually care for such labels); it's been many years since I've referred to these guys as "the Beatles of hard rock or metal" (meaning, impeccable songwriting and harmonies married to crushing riffs and memorable solos, the latter notably absent from "XV").

I don't expect to be truly amazed by their output anytime soon (my apologies here to die-hard fans)-- but I am (finally) impressed, and I think "XV" will enjoy a shelf life comparable to their earlier work. I don't think Kings X has another "Gretchen" or "Dogman" in them, but if they continue to truly evolve and COHERE as a band and a songwriting entity, I think we'll be in for some more pleasant surprises soon enough. The moss is growing, slow but steady, finding the light in the forest. September 26, 2008

Go Tell Somebody... seriously

This is either top right after Dogman or equal to it. It is so heavy but done tastefully... I used to give people Bulbous to listen to to get into the band but now I give them this album... it can do no wrong. The 12 string bass thunders through songs like Pray and the bluesy "No Lie" reminds me of the boys just jamming. This album has something for everyone... unless you really like Jerry. This is a Dug heavy album but I don't mind. September 22, 2008

Not Quite the Home Run #2

Following King's X since the Faith Hope Love days, I actually quit buying this band's albums after "Tape Head". Too dark and depressing and not in a good way (think Pink Floyd's "The Wall" for depressing in a good way.)

"Ogre Tones" (produced by Michael Wagener) was a return to the band's old form. Not the same old album of yore, but a fresh reawakening of the band that I have come to know and admire from the earlier albums. I was excited about King's X for the first time in a long time!

This one is growing on me slowly. The performances, the production, the harmonies and solos are all there in top form. The weak spot is the songwriting, in my opinion. There are some good subjects to talk about here (hypocrisy, consumerism) but some of the lyrics just seem repetitive and lame to me. September 18, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...