Review - Kings X - "Three Sides Of One"

 Kings X - "Three Sides Of One" Album Review

By: "Jonny D" - Metal Foundations on Metal World Radio

If you know, you know... Kings X is one of the most influential bands in modern rock n' roll. They've been praised by the who's who of the industry. Their shirts have been worn publicly by members of Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains and Pantera. They've had countless accolades in the press - too many for me to list. Yet they remain just outside the cusp of major mainstream success. For fans like myself, it's given me access to seeing them in small venues and meeting them after their shows. I've had the pleasure of interviewing dUg on the Metal Foundations radio program. One of the greatest things about this band is their ability to explore every facet of their artistic wants and needs. Soaring gospel influenced vocals cross paths with blues, heavy metal and funk - all rolled in with the Beatles. This brilliant mishmash allows the listener to explore sounds with the band and also attracts audiences from various other genres.

It's been 14 years since the release of Kings X's previous album "XV".  XV was a big change in sound from the 2005 release "Ogre Tones". Ogre tones was more of a brooding, melancholic album (which I personally loved) and XV to me felt more like a return to form - tapping in to the sound of classic albums like "Gretchen Goes To Nebraska" and "Out Of The Silent Planet". The huge gap between albums - the longest in the bands history since forming in 1983 (as Sneak Preview) - had me wondering as a long time fan what the future would bring. Heck, I wasn't even confident they'd release an album again. When I heard they were writing a new album (announced by dUg in 2015) I was ecstatic. However, time marched on. Several band members publicly battled health issues and then COVID 19 hit, which delayed the release by several years. When I saw the album for review in my inbox mid August the new album "Three Sides Of One" became a reality.

 The albums first track, and single "Let It Rain" captures all of the above mentioned musical influences and styles. It sounds like it could be off of ANY of their previous releases with brooding undertones. 

 "Nothing But The Truth" is a gorgeous song very reminiscent of 1994's "Flies And Blue Skies" off of the "Dogman" album. The vocal harmonies are beautiful and haunting. dUg's walking bass line is perfectly in the pocket with Jerry Gaskill's swing. The cherry on top is Ty Tabor's solo. Oh, if only I could pick that mans brain about writing a perfect guitar solo, as he's managed to do this countless times. Every facet is covered; tone, groove, melodies and technical mastery. 

After "Nothing But The Truth" brings you down to earth, "Give It Up" brings you right back up. I can't wait to see this song live. It's an anthemic stadium rocker. The track "Festival" is another fast paced rocker of a song that made me want to get up out of my chair and run around the studio playing air guitar... or a real one for that matter. One thing this band does for me is inspire me to play, learn and grow as a musician.

 "Swipe Up" brings the heaviness in to the chat. I've heard dUg mention he's a big fan of Meshuggah in interviews. I can hear the dissonant tonalities and odd timing heavily influenced here. And then Kings X being Kings X, sings well crafted melodic vocals over top of it. Most bands on earth couldn't pull this off yet Kings X manages to, and do it well. I think for the fans of the earliest material, this might be the most challenging listen on the album but I encourage anyone and everyone to digest it and let it sink in. After all, most of their albums are "growers" - AKA the best kind of albums.

The track "Holidays" brings me back to tracks like "Julie" (XV) and "Shoes" (Dogman). There's some deep grooves here and a very obvious influence of The Beatles and 1970's hard rock. This to me is a song for a summer night with a beer in hand with good friends on a patio. One that you can attach to good memories.

 The songs "She Called Me Home" and "Take The Time" are reminiscent of tracks like "Pleiades" (Gretchen Goes To Nebraska), "Life Going By" (Ear Candy), and "Goldilox" (Out Of The Silent Planet) . The song "Every Everywhere" brings be back to the tonalities and writing of Ogre Tones.

All in all you get what you've been looking for as a long time Kings X fan, and if you're a new listener you get a very good representation of their back catalogue and writing.

Is it everything I hoped for ? honestly? Yes! From what I understand the band went back to their more old-school form of writing where they collaborated openly together, rather than bring their individual efforts into the studio separately. Is it my favorite Kings X album? No. Will it be someone else's ? Probably. 

It's hard to give a new Kings X album a rating, as most of them have been "growers" for me. But after the first listen, I'd give it a solid 8/10. My only criticism is the production which at some points seems flat, or the drums sound a tad muffled. Mind you, the advance copy I received was digital. I'd be interested to hear the vinyl. 

In summary - this album meets expectations as a long time fan, and I think the variety and quality of music will attract new audiences to this influential and seminal band. 

 

Final Verdict - 8/10 

 ** This review is dedicated to the memory of my friend Dave Johnson, whom I met because of Kings X and their music, and whom I had the absolute pleasure to write songs with. I know you're listening out there somewhere Dave.