Artist: King's X
Label: Metal Blade
Release Date: 9/25/01
Rating: 3 Skulls
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Title: Manic Moonlight Artist: King's X Label: Metal Blade Release Date: 9/25/01
Rating: 3 Skulls |
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Reviewed by Solomon (10/18/01):
Alright, here's another band that would only be called "metal" by a very long stretch of definition. "Heavy rock?" Yes. "Heavy metal?" I seriously doubt it, although, I think Dogman could be placed in that catagory. I wrestled with a bit of a moral dilemma over whether I should even submit a review of this record on grounds of "genre conflict" but, hey, if metalheads aren't going to appreciate a bit of King's X, who will? We've already taken the plunge by tackling Gretchen Goes To Nebraska, and you probably won't see Manic Moonlight in Rolling Stone too soon 'cause they're too busy with Alicia Keys and Slipknot to care.What's the verdict? Well, I must say I'm disappointed. Now, I'm not one of those people who thinks Gretchen is a landmark that should be rebuilt every time the band puts out a record, but those days are gone and I miss them. Actually, a repeat of the heavier Dogman or something close to it would suit me just fine. Nostalgia aside, Manic Moonlight doesn't do it for me. There's an almost industrial-style repetition of too much of the material ("Yeah," "Static," "Skeptical Winds") and the guitar riffs themselves don't pull me in and hook me like I've heard Ty Tabor do before. The band seems almost bored, like they can't find any other source of inspiration apart from clicking away with the rhythmic loops. In all fairness, not everything is so automated. Semi-ballad stuff like "False Alarm" and "The Other Side" have plenty of warmth to them. "Believe" has a cool, funky groove that drives the song and "Static," while never moving from a drone, is a heavy, moving track that features some great lyrics. You have to stop and grin at the simple, honest display of personal frustration, of belief in God or the lack thereof, a statement made by a soul who has obviously been through the spiritual meatgrinder a time or two. There's confession ("Hello, I didn't mean to put my faith in you/I was afraid of losing my place and get nothing from this") and accusation ("Give me your address I'll send you my life in a jar maybe, you can give it to whosoever you like"). "Jenna" is a highlight as well, as the verses build up a nice dynamic that spills over into a punchy chorus.
These songs started to grow on me after a while, but they ultimately leave me wishing I had got something more. I have a feeling these tunes cook better in a live setting. Still, the one thing you can count on from this Texas trio are sublime vocal harmonies and melodies, coupled with light-hearted and non-offensive lyrical matter that almost demands you sing along. You also have to give the band credit for forging ahead with their own vision. Manic Moonlight may be "progressive" or "alternative" in a general sense, but you can't lump it with anything else out there. King's X continue to march to the beat of their own drummer (or electronic loop), bucking trends and turning their back on a world that hasn't embraced them, anyway.
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