King's X

Item: Ogre Tones
Author: Brian A. Smith

Ogre Tones

(2005)

Reviewed by Brian A. Smith

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Label Inside Out MusicThe Phantom Tollbooth2005

alternative rock hard rock progressive rock

Attention long time King's X fans: Ogre Tones is the album you've been waiting for since Ear Candy. From the opening scream on "Alone" to the closing bars of "Goldilox (Reprise)", King's X makes it clear that more time and energy have been employed on this disc than on any album since the 2000 release, Please Come Home Mr. Bulbous.

This shouldn't be interpreted as saying the last three King's X discs were throwaway discs. Each have several tracks that hold their own against any in the seventeen years of recording they've done. Ogre Tones, though, is their most consistent and complete album in ten years. Coincidentally (or maybe not so), it is their first album to use an outside producer since 1996. Long time metal producer Michael Wagener does great work here in guiding the band to bring out the best of their respective abilities. After over a dozen side projects and solo albums, we are once again reminded that Ty Tabor, dUg Pinnick, and Jerry Gaskill are each talented artists in their own rights, but that King's X is much greater than the sum of its parts when they are hitting on all cylinders.

"Alone" leads off the disc, featuring a whispered, then screamed out vocal from Ty Tabor (his best since "She's Gone Away" from the Bulbous disc) that sets the tone for the entire disc. "Stay" would have fit in on Ear Candy, and "Freedom," an outtake from that disc, finally sees the light of day here. "Hurricane", which may fall victim to bad timing given the recent events of Katrina, is actually a portrayal of a tumultuous relationship.

King's X openly questions God and His interaction throughout the disc: "Freedom" speaks of blaming everything on Him, and "BeBop", perhaps the most unique song here, shows Pinnick just flatly admitting "God is something I don't understand", and cites "a hundred million reasons" for that conundrum. "Get Away" simply poses the question to God: "Why are your people so f---ing mean?" "Mudd" simply hopes that all of us will go "up into the sky". This last is assumed by some to be a tribute to the late Dimebag Darrell (Pantera, Damageplan), but Pinnick says it's about an uncle of his.

"Honesty" is almost a solo track by Tabor, much like "Legal Kill" many years ago. It will receive criticism from some for its a-b-a-b rhyme scheme, but it comes across as plaintive and Beatlesque. "Sooner or Later" is a Pinnick demo that receives the King's X treatment, closing with an extended jam that recalls "The Burning Down" from the Gretchen Goes to Nebraska disc. "If" has a familiar feel (almost like that of Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror," oddly enough), and concerns itself with a faltering relationship.

Ogre Tones is a trademark King's X disc, and will earn a spot in the top 5 of their catalog immediately, and perhaps move up to top three status after repeated listens. The key to the whole album is Ty Tabor's willingness to sing lead on a few tracks, and trade leads with Pinnick at others. When he does this, King's X goes from good to great. Pinnick is the best vocalist in the group, but the interplay between the two, backed with Jerry Gaskill's harmonies, raises their game to a level few other groups can reach.

This disc is groove driven, a perfect mix of harmonic vocals, Tabor's blazing guitar work, Pinnick's trademark bass, and rock and roll screams, and Gaskill's underrated drumming skills. If this album were on a large label with any kind of publicity push, it would go platinum. Hopefully, being on Inside Out will not keep this band relegated to "cult favorite" status, but I fear that will be the case. This may well be the album of the year.

5 tocks