XV [Digipak]

Performer: King's X
Engineer: Michael Wagener; Michael Wagener
Producer: Michael Wagener; Michael Wagener
Distributor: Ryko Distribution

Notes: King's X: Ty Tabor (vocals, guitar); Doug Pinnick (vocals, bass guitar); Jerry Gaskill (vocals, drums). Personnel: Dave "Fat Man" Williams, Michael Wagener, Wally Farkas (background vocals). Audio Mixer: Michael Wagener. Recording information: WireWorld Studio. Illustrator: Warren Flanagan. Photographer: Mark Weiss. While this may or may not be the Texas trio's 15th release it surely ranks among their best. XV is the second album with producer Michael Wagener (Extreme, Metallica) and again was recorded in Nashville. The band took a more relaxed approach by writing all the songs individually and ahead of time before tweaking them slightly in the studio. One of the most obvious differences is the use of various background singers on the choruses of "Alright" and "Broke" to create a feel similar to their all-inclusive live performances. Each member contributes to the songwriting and singing; even drummer Jerry Gaskill lends a rare lead vocal to the simple but poignant "Julie," recalling Tom Petty channeling the Beatles. Dug Pinnick's 12-string bass makes a welcome return on the opener "Pray For Me" and Ty Tabor's economical guitar solos always amaze. Fans of the old-school King's X vocal harmonies will swoon over "Stuck" and "I Don't Know."

Power trio King's X combine Beatlesque melodies with fierce hard rock and progressive leanings. Formed in the mid-1980s, the band emerged--along with Living Colour--as one of the few metal bands with an African-American frontman. The group's initial videos garnered MTV airplay, leading to increased exposure and lengthy tours. Since the early '90s, King's X has maintained a slightly lower profile, but they still have a very devoted following, eager for the next release to feature the band's genre-hopping sound.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.5