So this album came out a while ago and I didn't really pay more than a weeks worth of attention, but returning to it now, it really is a breath of fresh air compared to the last album "the Hazards of Love." Dont get me wrong, THOL is a wonderful album. It is dynamic, surprising, inventive, interesting and challenging. In fact, Hazards of Love IV is one of my favorite songs of all time. But, with all that glorious, rock-opera-esque narrative and sound, it can become a bit overbearing. It's hard to listen to just one song...It's hard to even remember which song is which, and there aren't that many times I can sit and listen to an album the entire way through. Hazards definitely has some great songs, great overall concept, and some fantastic moments throughout the record, it's just not a casual listen which, sadly, is most often the type of music we're looking for.
The King is Dead completely lacks the overall cohesiveness of the singular story, straight line narrative style of Hazards, but the album still stands together and each song can stand individually as well. It's, simply put, an easier record. Filled with fast-paced alternative pop songs such as "Don't Carry it All" and "This is Why We Fight" the album moves along much faster than its predecessor, relieving the listener of the involved story, the different tones of the characters, and the up-and-down pace that tends to drastically change with every song. But while only 6 of the 10 songs on the album are fast-paced, even the slower songs come across with a bit of kick. "Rise to Me" has a bit of country twang backed by harmonica and piano. It's definitely a bit melancholy, but I can't help but feel a sense of optimism and strength behind it and I suppose its that base feeling of moving forward that seems to blanket the songs of the album.
It makes sense. This is the album style that they went with through their early career and it served them well. They took a chance on Hazards and lost some hardcore fans, gained some prog-ish props, but generally lost that "hit single" attraction that lets you listen to the album eight times in a row. With "The King..." they go back to their roots of solid, single song writing while still managing to make a record in which the songs connect. There are two gems that demonstrate this fantastically, and in my opinion, create one of the best two song compliments that I've heard in a long time. June Hymn and January Hymn are slower, simple sounding, lullaby like songs that are gorgeous, relaxing, and while reserved, have this wonderful optimism and is usually lost on similar tracks. They move quickly and before you know it, disappear into the wispy vocals that they rode in on, returning you to the hard, driving drums and guitar that populate the bulk of the record.
While I do miss some of the eccentricities on Hazards, the experimental vocals, distorted guitars, solos, and theatrical ranges in mood, The King provides a much easier and relaxing ride. An album you can drive to, sing to, rock out to or relax to, each song a separate idea while still relating, much like a well formed mix-tape.
Check out the link below and buy the record to support a really great band...six albums into their career and they still have failed to disappoint, never repeating themselves, and never taking the easy road.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vay0-XsruGk&NR=1
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