Description
The self-titled, fourth album by the American progressive hard rock band King’s X was released on Atlantic Records in February 1992. Front cover illustration by Randy Rogers who designed many of the classic covers of Petra.
Early on King’s X, a progressive power trio from Texas, decided to make it or break it in the mainstream music world. Known for innovative metal sounds and Beatle-esque harmony vocals, the band allowed their individual Christian beliefs to influence their music, but didn’t make an exposition of the faith a focus of attention. The music, the songs, the playing would stand up on its own merits and win fans or it would fail.
A trio of albums released from ’88 through ’90 (‘Out of the Silent Planet‘, ‘Gretchen Goes to Nebraska‘ and ‘Faith Hope Love‘) on Megaforce/Atlantic, and constant touring as a headliner and opening for the likes of Living Colour and AC/DC found King’s X fans growing in number exponentially.
This fourth album, ‘King’s X’, the band’s move directly to Atlantic (indicating the major label’s greater investment and support), represents a further expression of that thinking. From the artfully majestic cover art (an altar table filled with a communion meal, wine spilling down on the shoulder of a child) to the band’s experiential approach to spiritual expression in poetic lyrics and music of power, integrity and volatility, King’s X goes out of its way to share the intent of the Gospel message, without all the religious trappings and proselytizing pressure.
“From a simple word to a simple phrase/ Communication and forgiving/ Without the poets, with the way to sing/… I would never, never have known what I know about love,” King’s X sings in harmony, an invitation to all to learn what they have learned, to experience what they have experienced. «Black Flag» and «Lost in Germany» challenge selfish will, while «The World Around Me», «The Big Picture» and «Dream in My Life» explore what can be, as opposed to what is. We are challenged to travel in the knowledge of light («Chariot Song», «Not Just For the Dead», «Ooh Song» and «Silent Wind»), but never does King’s X speak as if it has all the answers, nor does it offer any ultimatums. Always it is an invitation, shared with dignity, patience and forethought.
Musically, ‘King’s X’ finds the band shortening the songs for the sake of accessibility, but if anything they are as hard and perhaps more aggressive than on ‘Faith Hope Love’. Ty Tabor’s guitars have gotten louder and more intense, while bassist Doug Pinnick and drummer Jerry Gaskill have fine tuned their now classic rock solid bottom with enough kinetic time changes to challenge the laws of physics.
Pinnick is singing more soulfully and on edge than ever, and Tabor’s lead vocals have grown stronger as well. The band’s three part harmonies continue to surprise and soothe amidst the music’s often hurricane-like swell. Beatle-isms continue to show up, and the songs here are aimed at rock radio airplay, but there’s no obvious cut with the melodic pull of «It’s Love» or «Over My Head». Still, «Black Flag», «Prisoner», «Chariot Song» and «The Big Picture» tend to grow with repeated listenings, and could become successful with the right video and radio promotions.
King’s X does not fall into what some celebrate as crossover. Like The Edge of U2 was quoted as saying recently, you get the feeling the members of King’s X “have no trouble with Christ,” but has trouble being lumped in with lots of other Christian groups. While Christian rock fans continue to support and enjoy King’s X, the band makes no concession to any ideology apart from the individual faith of its members and its music as a band statement. Nonetheless, the artistic integrity, the commercial success without the attendant pandering to the masses, an the sheer power of King’s X music is inspirational in a way that is reminiscent of listening to the «Silent Wind». [Brian Q. Newcomb, CCM, May 1990]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/kings-x/300973420)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “The World Around Me” – 2:56
A2. “Prisoner” – 4:14
A3. “The Big Picture” – 5:03
A4. “Lost In Germany” – 4:52
A5. “Chariot Song” – 5:22
A6. “Ooh Song” – 4:01
Side Two
B1. “Junior’s Gone Wild” – 3:08
B2. “Not Just For The Dead” – 4:47
B3. “What I Know About Love” – 5:38
B4. “Black Flag” – 4:01
B5. “Dream In My Life” – 4:57
B6. “Silent Wind” – 4:10
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Atlantic Records.
“Black Flag” (MUSIC VIDEO)
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