Deliriou5?

Item: King Of Fools
Author: James Stewart

King Of Fools

(1997)

Reviewed by James Stewart

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Label Furious? Records / Sparrow RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth1998

modern rock worship

The most popular British Christian band ever have finally made it to their first mainstream release and they certainly did it in style. King Of Fools entered the official UK album charts at number 13, an unprecedented achievement for a band coming from the tiny world of British Christian music.

Probably best known for the worship songs written by lead singer Martin Smith, deliriou5? were born out of a worship event called Cutting Edge under the moniker 'The Cutting Edge Band'. After several years and four mini-albums (which among them sold 70,000 copies through private distribution only) the band decided that it was time to move on. With the change of name the band went full time and further developed their distinctive sound.

That sound could be described as "U2 meets World Party with a touch of brit-pop" but might be better described as vibey guitar-pop. The players are really very versatile and with the combination of keyboards, guitars, bass, drums and sampled loops move quickly from pop singalong to guitar rocker.

The first thing noticeable about this CD is the packaging. Strong, primary colours and a reversible sleeve (with four possible covers) show that the band has put a lot of effort into the preparation of the album and straight away put me into a positive mood as I awaited the start.

First track up is "Sanctify." Lyrically it is a great first track, a confessional song of surrendering to God and asking for his presence. Musically however it is a strange choice to kick off the CD: the strained sound may suit the lyrics but its dense guitar sounds seem very strange at the start of the album.

The themes throughout the album mean that many of the songs can, will and have been used for corporate worship. "History Maker" with its singalong chorus and industrial-pop opening worked particularly well in my church recently. A song of dedication, this one is also a favourite with the fans.

If you're looking for something with an all out rock sound then the third single to be taken from the album is more like it. "Promise" was described by somebody on the internet the other day as having an Oasis-like sound but I would certainly disagree. Brit-rock is probably the style, not incredibly heavy but featuring a strange guitar distortion. This song is perhaps one of the standouts. Lyrically it is more searching than other songs but is best remembered for the guitar playing of Stuart Garrard.

Other features of this album are the choir brought in on some tracks, most noticeably "White Ribbon Day," a song about the troubles in Northern Ireland, and the big drum sounds that have been captured in the recording (in a big empty house).

Lyrically my favourite track would have to be "King Or Cripple."

King or cripple what have I become?
Beneath these robes there lies a fragile man
What made me a king can sometimes cripple
All that you give sometimes rubs my innocence

This song could perhaps be interpreted as being about the pressures of fame but could equally be about problems as a Christian. Opening in a tender acoustic mood and then leaping to high octane rock song certainly suits the lyrics.

A problem I have had with deliriou5? in the past has been that which I have with many evangelical Christian groups, the glossing over of issues and struggles, song titles like "Happy Song" have reinforced this at times but with this album we see the band in their more open, honest mode.

Otherwise an excellent album, unfortunately this album lacks the sparkle that would really class it as a classic, the sound is sometimes a little tired but this is not always noticeable and the production is otherwise fine. It will be interesting to see where the next year takes deliriou5?

4 tocks