King's X

Item: Tape Head
Author: Doug Van Pelt

Tape Head

(1998)

Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt

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Label Metal Blade RecordsHM Magazine #74November 1998

alternative metal hard rock progressive rock

Two happy announcements were made today. First, we got a package in the mail from Metal Blade with this new King's X album in it. While it was playing, we got a phone call from the record company, confirming that there would be a King's X song on this issue's HM Sampler CD! One spin of this new disc told all six of us on staff here that the band had done it again. They'd cranked out some great tunes. The songs are immediate, too, as they were very easy to latch onto and start singing along. This is kind of a change after the initial hard slamming shock of Dogman. Even though Ear Candy had some great songs, it was more disjointed than this record. Each song here is worthy of serious listening, except for maybe the silly insert at the end "Walter Bela Farkas," which I guess was an impromptu soundcheck-type thing that maybe featured Wally Farkas with the band in New York? While my Galactic Cowboys review seemed to center on how different they were than King's X nowadays, it's only ironic to mention that this Houston trio sounds a lot like the Cowboys in the galloping riffs in "World." There's a lot of great rockers to choose from here, as well. "Groove Machine" starts the album with some heavy riffs that tell everyone they're listening to a King's X album a far cry from Ear Candy's "The Train." Picking a favorite is mighty hard. Tunes like "Fade" and "Happy" showcase great hooks and lush harmonies. "Ono" has some cool guitar effects to accent the catchy choruses, besides being a funny way to spell the expression of, "Oh, no!" Most every King's X album has that sweeping power ballad like only they can do. Classics like "Goldilox," "Summerland," "The Fine Art Of Friendship," and "Picture" come to mind. Close to this family of song is the surprising "Over and Over," which is a great slow song that reflects a lot of influences, from The Wallflowers to even Lynyrd Skynyrd! Another shocker is to hear a dobro or steel guitar on "Mr. Evil." In the song, "Happy," you hear a nice spoken word vibe, as well as some tribal percussion sounds near the end. It's also real nice to hear the band dip down solidly on its Sly & The Family Stone inspiration and not sound like they're afraid to do it. "Little Bit Of Soul" kicks back in a tasty groove and lets Doug's lead vocals swim along. This could be a radio hit now, and it could've ruled the airwaves of Motown in the mid-70's. Lyrically, I didn't know what to expect here. The new songs on the Best Of album seemed a bit earthy for the band, Doug's solo album seemed to focus on dark days, and then there were the rumors and speculation surrounding the band. It was interesting to see spiritual references still sprinkled throughout the album. While I haven't had time to sit down with headphones yet and study a lyric sheet, I'm pleased with what I hear. And, after 8 to 10 real good listens, I'm thrilled to hear the band relying on its strengths top notch songwriting, harmonies that beg a sing-along, killer musicianship, the classic heavy tunage from King's X past, and the recent sideways expansion of the band's sound.