What is up with King's X?
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Forum Name: Metal Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
Forum Description: Discuss specific metal bands and their members or a specific sub-genre
URL: http://www.MetalMusicArchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1314
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Topic: What is up with King's X?
Posted By: topofsm
Subject: What is up with King's X?
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2010 at 2:22am
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King's X is apparently one of the most influential bands of the late 80s - early 90s. They contributed to tons of prog bands, grunge and alt bands, modern metal bands, and even pop music. Prog legends like Portnoy and Gildenlow have mentioned some of their innovations. Yet nobody seems to know anything about them. If you asked your average prog or metal fan what their most "classic" or greatest album is, they may not answer. Forums rarely talk about them, even on PA I don't recall a single topic on them. Despite their "classic" or "legendary" status, nobody really seems to talk about them. Heck, I'm not sure this topic will even take off, because not many people seem to listen to them. But discuss please. ------------- Lost respect for these archives when I saw Creed added, among other bands. Not going to be foruming here anymore. You can keep my reviews if you want. |
Replies:
Posted By: UMUR
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2010 at 2:55am
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I only have one album and it never did much for me ( is it called Black Sunday or something like that?). I too have wondered why they have the "Classic" status stamped on them. A fan might be able to give us some recommendations to clear things up. ------------- http://www.lyngby-boldklub.dk/" rel="nofollow - Forever TRUE - Forever BLUE! https://rateyourmusic.com/~UMUR" rel="nofollow - UMUR on RYM |
Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2010 at 8:43am
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I have two albums (XV and Faith, Hope, Love). I wasn't blown away by either, but I guess they were pretty important in the early prog metal world.
------------- Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2010 at 9:34am
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I have their entire discography and they are one of my favorite bands. Their first three or four albums are probably their best. They were on the "cutting edge" of progressive metal at the time that Dream Theater arrived on the scene. By the time Dream Theater released Images and Words, King's X had already released their first three albums. They played a brand of hard rock/heavy metal that was merged with the harmonized vocals of Yes and/or the Beatles. Just like many metal bands of the 80's and early 90's, what was considered heavy metal back then, is just merely hard rock through the view of modern day heavy metal glasses. ------------- 
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Posted By: Stooge
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2010 at 9:34pm
That's the worst King's X album in my collection (I own 7 of their albums). It was basically an album of pre-Out Of The Silent Planet songs re-recorded. I'm a pretty big fan of their first 5 albums. Gretchen and Faith Hope Love are my two favorite.  ------------- https://armchairmaestro.com/" rel="nofollow - My Music Blog |
UMUR wrote:Posted By: UMUR
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2011 at 2:55pm
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Hmm...so I guess I should start with the first 3 - 5 albums when I get around to it. I�ve been meaning to give King�s X a second chance but had no idea where to start. ------------- http://www.lyngby-boldklub.dk/" rel="nofollow - Forever TRUE - Forever BLUE! https://rateyourmusic.com/~UMUR" rel="nofollow - UMUR on RYM |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2011 at 10:48am
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Currently listening to Out of the Silent Planet = Yum!!! -------------
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Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2011 at 3:44pm
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I think that the Self-titled 4th album is probably my favorite, although I like them all to varying degrees. -------------
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Posted By: Stooge
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2011 at 3:57pm
Their self-titled is pretty underrated. Not a fan of every song on it, but I love "World Around Me", "Prisoner", and "Lost In Germany" among others. ------------- https://armchairmaestro.com/" rel="nofollow - My Music Blog |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2011 at 4:02pm
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Do you like Black Flag, or is it too commercial for you? -------------
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Posted By: Stooge
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2011 at 4:14pm
Oh no, I like Black Flag. That was actually the first King's X song I ever heard. It was on a compilation album I used to own, which also introduced me to Dream Theater with "Pull Me Under". I was going to a Dream Theater/Joe Satriani concert in 2002 that King's X opened. I just needed a little taste of what I was getting into. Here's the album "Hard Music":  http://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/various_artists_f2/hard_music_volume_1/" rel="nofollow - http://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/various_artists_f2/hard_music_volume_1/ Wow, I didn't even remember Faith No More was on that album!! I didn't start getting into them until 2006/2007 if I was to guess. ------------- https://armchairmaestro.com/" rel="nofollow - My Music Blog |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2011 at 4:35pm
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Cool. I love the song myself, but I know people who hate it because it was played on the radio and such. That is an interesting compilation. I've heard most of the songs on it, but not all of them.
Do you happen to know the story behind the album cover for Dogman from King's X? Is there any specific reason why they put it out in 4 different colors? -------------
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Posted By: Stooge
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2011 at 4:41pm
I'm not really sure, but I have the blue one. ------------- https://armchairmaestro.com/" rel="nofollow - My Music Blog |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2011 at 4:49pm
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I thought maybe it was a gimmick where different bonus songs were included on the different colored albums, but I am pretty sure that isn't the case. I think that I have the yellow cover, but I don't remember for sure. It might be the blue cover. -------------
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Posted By: Stooge
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2011 at 8:57pm
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I wonder how many die-hards bought all 4 covers. ------------- https://armchairmaestro.com/" rel="nofollow - My Music Blog |
Posted By: topofsm
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2011 at 6:38pm
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I recently bought and started listening to "Gretchen", and I can't say whether it's the best or not, but to me it sounds like a 'cleaner' Rush. If that's the case, they really don't seem to have offered much to the prog table, which would explain their relatively low popularity for such a classic band.
------------- Lost respect for these archives when I saw Creed added, among other bands. Not going to be foruming here anymore. You can keep my reviews if you want. |
Posted By: Pelata
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2011 at 6:44pm
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King's X is my favorite band of all time. I discovered them in high school when Out Of The Silent Planet was released. To this day they remain, in my eyes, the greatest active band on the planet. I know that is pretty lofty praise, but in all honesty I love every album they've ever done. I've seen them live six times. I own all the side projects the members have been involved in. The way they blend groove with heaviness and harmony vocals...and the hooks are ridiculous! I do not understand how King's X is not one of the most popular bands in the world...instead they are just the opposite. How musicians from Nikki Sixx to Gene Simmons to Jeff Ament to Chris Cornell can sing the praises of a band for years and relatively nobody knows who they are remains a mystery. They are highly respected among musicians and industry folk, but they've never been able to translate all that respect into record sales...boggles the mind. My Top 3 albums would be: Gretchen Goes To Nebraska Dogman Ogre Tones ------------- http://www.facebook.com/FinalSignOfficial" rel="nofollow - FINAL SIGN - US Power Metal |
Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2011 at 5:54am
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The new Live in London album is very good - perhaps their best, esp CD 2.
-------------  GLAM METAL!
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Posted By: Pelata
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2011 at 7:17am
------------- http://www.facebook.com/FinalSignOfficial" rel="nofollow - FINAL SIGN - US Power Metal |
Posted By: Stooge
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2011 at 5:16pm
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I've only seen some of the footage from Live In London. I recall their vocal work on it being below their standard (at Doug's age I'm not surprised) , but I haven't heard a lot of it. Regardless, I'll most likely get the DVD down the line since I've always wanted a King's X DVD.
------------- https://armchairmaestro.com/" rel="nofollow - My Music Blog |
Posted By: Pelata
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2011 at 7:52am
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Yeah, I will concede that the vocal harmonies are not as "glorious" sounding as they once were. There are a couple reasons for this, IMO.
1 - dUg is 60 years old, the other guys over 50...as much as they tour, age can catch up with you
2 - they tune everything so low now, even the older songs, that even when they do harmonize (as opposed to just "sing together") it doesn't carry that soaring, layered vibe it used to
They're still one of the best live bands I've ever seen...thankfully, I got to see them on the Faith Hope Love and Dogman tours where the harmonies were REALLY on!! They were amazing on those tours... ------------- http://www.facebook.com/FinalSignOfficial" rel="nofollow - FINAL SIGN - US Power Metal |
Posted By: MAVIIIVAM
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2011 at 1:45am
Man . . . Its been awhile to be here, how did I miss this thread  ?Hey fellow Kings Xers  First, they got a little appreciation here  :http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=799&title=kings-x-appreciation-thread" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=799&title=kings-x-appreciation-thread So some here have made comments at that thread, hopefully we can spread the good word. Ha! Seems I'm the LAST on to post there  I hope I'm not a "Thread Killer" here too  !The 3 guys seem like very likable people, so I would imagine anyone working with them-find them alot of fun to play with (side projects etc.). So I would guess they have garnered a lot of respect from their peers. I was amazed seeing Pearl Jam, for the 1st time when they were the musical guests on Saturday Night Live (An American Comedy Skit Show) for the 1st time and the Bassist was wearing a "Faith Hope Love/Kings X" shirt and Paul Schafers Band (The CBS Orchestra) on Late Night with David Letterman play the difficult "We were Born to be Loved" on Commercial breaks on a regular basis! "Black like Sunday", "Manic Moonlight" and "Welcome Home Mr. Bulbus" are the 3 I couldnt get into but MM's "Believe" is super funky and got a great groove, WHMB gets a bit Avant Garde believe it or not-so its a bit experimental for them  . "Fishbowl man" is a bit wackey but quite good.I need to give these 3 another chance. If I had to recommend the "sequence" of Albums . . . 1. Out of the Silent Planet 2. Gretchen Goes to Nebraska 3. Faith Hope Love 4. Kings X (I have NEVER heard "Black Flag" on LA Radio . . . EVER!  I guess I'm glad because I lovethat song). 5. Dogman 6. Ear Candy 7. Tape Head 9. Ogre Tones 10. XV I think if you go by that sequence, you'll understand where they are going .. . . I say the rest of my 2� at the Appreciation Thread. And a new "Jelly Jam" album is on its way  .And I bought The Special Edition of "Live Love in London" DVD as a Christmas Gift for me .Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kings_X" rel="nofollow - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King's_X ". . . If you really do believe, then dont forget to pray for me!"  "Its Love" on The Dennis Miller Show! (Circa 1990-91): Can you name the "Beatles" song at the end? ------------- "If you're happy to be an Ant in the Sand Box, you're welcome to it!" -Forbidden For Progressive Metal and Prog Rock, come visit, request songs and explore at PrOgulus.com |
Posted By: Andyman1125
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2011 at 11:35am
I've got Dogman, which is some really cool prog grunge. I've heard Out of the Silent Planet is amazing though. I'll investigate it eventually  ------------- http://bit.ly/kZR7BC" rel="nofollow">  http://andywebb.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - My Bandcamp
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Posted By: Pelata
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2011 at 4:00pm
------------- http://www.facebook.com/FinalSignOfficial" rel="nofollow - FINAL SIGN - US Power Metal |
Posted By: cannon
Date Posted: 31 May 2011 at 2:54pm
| I have almost thier entire catalogue and well as thier offshot projects. Ty Tabor has to be one of the most underrated guitarists. Gretchen is a classic. 10/10 |
Posted By: Charcaroth
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2011 at 10:04pm
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King's X is pretty underrated, but then again, most of their middle era output is so bland, it probably works against them. From "Ear Candy" to "Manic Moonlight" is stuff you'll want to steer clear of until you've heard at least "Gretchen Goes to Nebraska", "Faith, Hope,Love", their self titled, and maybe, "XV". Even at their most progressive, it wasn't in any classic sense, they were mostly just really eclectic, mixing a whole bunch of different sounds and doing it well. Great band. Ty Tabor is a sadly underrated guitarist. ------------- http://img844.imageshack.us/i/skullmoundsig.jpg/"> 
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Posted By: MAVIIIVAM
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2011 at 11:00pm
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Hey! Ear Candy is a VERY Kings X album. imo theres not a bad cut on it . And this is how the album starts . . . . . . "around the world" ------------- "If you're happy to be an Ant in the Sand Box, you're welcome to it!" -Forbidden For Progressive Metal and Prog Rock, come visit, request songs and explore at PrOgulus.com |
Posted By: Charcaroth
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2011 at 3:49am
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Oops, I meant that was the last one before the blandness set in. Even "Tapehead/Bulbous/Moonlight" have a few moments here and there, but those are the least essential to me."Ear Candy was good, but to me it was the first one to dip slightly. I find myself skipping a few tracks, anyway. Train is a great track. Mississippi Moon and Picture too. ------------- http://img844.imageshack.us/i/skullmoundsig.jpg/">
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