Review Summary: Perhaps the most overlooked of their peak years but still pretty damn good
Releasing a self-titled album that isn’t a debut tends to be under interesting circumstances and the 1992 self-titled from King’s X is no exception. Perhaps the most overlooked effort of the band’s classic run, it sees some notable transitions taking place as their first release through Atlantic Records as well as their last under the thumb of producer/manager Sam Taylor. There’s also a stylistic makeover gradually setting in with the band moving away from their early psychedelia and toward the blunt approach that would define Dogman.
Right off the bat, “The World Around Me” demonstrates a major chance of pace. While the group’s established aesthetic and vocals provide a familiar overcast, the guitar and bass feel more powerful than before with beefy tones driven by a metallic chug. “Chariot Song” and “Ooh Song” (no “Campfire Song?”) offer similar heaviness with the latter putting its heavy groove through a dark grungy tint. Even some of the softer tracks have a sharper edge as “Prisoner” keeps the opener’s momentum going despite throwing on an extra folk flavor while “The Big Picture” throws some wild vocal effects and a slight crunch into its wistful meandering.
Of course, it’s not the most drastic overhaul as the tracks maintain plenty of their signature melody. “Lost In Germany” is a particularly easygoing song despite its stomp while “Not Just for The Dead” comes straight from the Gretchen playbook with its trippy sitar/guitar, abstract drumming, and golden vocal trade-offs. “Black Flag” may be the album’s best-known song, having been its choice for lead single, and earns its keep thanks to a heavy main riff and classic rock-friendly chorus.
I must admit that King’s X’s self-titled album may be my least favorite of their peak years, but it’s still pretty damn good. It may not have the bells and whistles of their first three efforts and the more grounded approach would be better achieved in the future, but it still offers its fair share of great songs with unwavering chemistry. It was obviously churned out quickly as a means of maintaining momentum, especially having just expanded their platform, but it never feels like a filler release. If anything, it’s a great album to dig into once you’ve dug into their absolute best.
