All hail the Kings

Still inarguably one of the most underrated bands in world, King's X soldier on with their appropriately titled XVth (including live albums and compilations) record. It's not one of the finest in their catalog, but it's a damn good record from a band that can't get enough praise.

"If you really do believe, then don't forget to pray for me," sing the band with typically immaculate harmonies on the religion-themed first track, 'Pray.' It signals King's X's freedom from their previous self-consciousness over the "Christian Rock" label, and that free-spiritedness is one of the only consistencies on XV. Spontaneous, multi-layered and versatile, XV has all the soul, hooks and musicianship that's made King's X one of the most distinct hard rock acts of the past 20 years. Michael Wagener's production is a little safer than it was on 2005's landmark Ogre Tones, but it never drowns out King's X's best qualities. Bassist dUg Pinnick could merit a spot in the band based on his choir-worthy vocals or his funk bass chops alone, but somehow he combines both to incorporate the primal and the peaceful in the urgent-sounding 'Move,' the radio-ready 'Alright' and 'Stuck,' which sounds like a lost track from their early '90s heyday.

Guitar god Ty Tabor sings more than he has on the past few albums, and the reflective "I Just Want to Live" is one his best achievements to date. Later on, his 'I Don't Know' finds the middle ground between Pete Townshend and Elliott Smith, and it may be the album's best example of why commercial success has eluded King's X for all these years--it's saccharine to most metalheads and too loud for most old school soul fans. King's X still exist in their own universe, and the best tracks on XV are peerless.



At times, the band still gets a little too free-spirited. Even some of King's X's very best albums (Faith, Hope, Love and Dogman among them) could've used a little trimming, and XV flounders on subpar tracks like 'Julie,' 'Love and Rockets,' or 'Repeating Myself,' which simply aren't catchy enough to transcend their cornball lyrics. But King's X is nothing if not adventurous. Like many great artists, Prince and Elvis Costello included, King's X could afford to be a little shrewder with their output, but that willingness to venture also takes them to great heights. Case in point: 'Go Tell Somebody,' a spiritual hard-rocker with a singalong, almost gospel chorus that could bring Anton LaVey to church. With a killer Tabor solo, incredible harmonies and driving drums from Jerry Gaskill, it blends the band's best aspects of King's X into one of their very best tracks. The CD edition's unremarkable bonus tracks may derail some of the song's momentum, but XV will still have new listeners scratching their heads as to why this band isn't topping the charts and selling out arenas.

Picking up a King's X CD (or even better, getting tickets) is not only a good service to a band that needs it, it's one of the best listening experiences you're likely to get anywhere. Go tell somebody.