Published on Dec 22, 2000
Christian Rock — Quick! Who do you think of? Amy Grant, Bob
Carlisle, Michael W. Smith… Mostly, this style of music has a
lite rock flavor, with references to Christian religious
anthems.
In King’s X case, they are referred to as “a band of Christians,
rather than as a Christian rock band.” Hard-rock, alternative
formats come to mind when it comes to King’s X, and listening to
their 1992 self-titled release, this album may be hard to find on
CD, but if you do locate it, it’s an album worth listening to, for
the fan of hard rock, and especially alternative.
“The World Around Me” certainly grabs your attention as a pure
alternative rocker that could easily get regular airplay on
alternative rock format radio, and likewise the repeat button
activated on your CD player. “Prisoner” is moderate, not as heavy
as the album’s opening track, yet this song has potential. “The Big
Picture” is more of an alternative rock ballad, and another good
potential player.
Having a more pop feel with an alternative mix, “Lost In
Germany” could also be another hit on regular rock formatted radio
stations. “Chariot Song” returns King’s X with an upbeat hard-rock
sound with a somewhat punk mix, yet it definitely fits the
alternative format. “Ooh Song” is another cool alternative rocker
— definitely alternative rock at its best.
“Not Just For The Dead” has a much more pop feel. (This sounds
crazy, but somehow Bon Jovi pops in my mind for some strange reason
when I hear this song…figure
that one out… Bon Jovi compared to King’s X? No way!)
Given enough airplay exposure, “What I Know About Love” could
easily be another alternative rock anthem — this one is worth
checking out… And another “worth checking out” cool alternative
rocker is “Black Flag.”
“Dream In My Life” slows the tempo a bit, yet it’s another cool
song that fits the alternative ballad style. The album’s closing
song, “Silent Wind” is a great way to end the album, with its
common alternative rock sound. And towards the end of this song, it
has a cool effect — a church organ. What a great effect to use for
alternative rock/hard rock, where that instrument is not commonly
heard of.!
If you’re a big fan of alternative rock,
King’s X is definitely worth checking out. Being a three-man
band, they follow in the footsteps of the “power trios” : Cream,
Jimi Hendrix Experience and Thin Lizzy (as well as being a
bi-racial band, like the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Thin Lizzy.)
Their music is definitely alternative, and this band does know to
rock in that particular style. It has heavy guitars, their lyrics
and vocal styles are incredible, and even though many of their
original albums may be hard to find on CD, they can definitely be
found at used record stores. (Now why would anyone want to sell
King’s X CDs to used record stores, is beyond me…)
But again,
King’s X is definitely worth the listen. For the alternative
rock lover, this album is a must, even though, according to other
critics’ reviews, this 1992 release was a disappointment. But for
those who experience King’s X for the first time, or even for the
long-time King’s X fan, the word “disappointment” is NOT in King’s
X vocabulary.