Review Summary: A record that is almost too safe, yet still has plenty of highlights.
After the large success of
Pennybridge Pioneers with its pop/punk bliss and the follow up
Home From Home also gaining all sorts of critical acclaim, Millencolin had to try something different, and back up the great work that they had accomplished in their previous two releases. And with the track record they had
Kingwood had to be good. While maybe lacking in the consistency that
Home From Home and
Pennybridge had,
Kingwood still brings a fresh and catchy sound making it quite an enjoyable listen, yet struggles to be a solid listen the whole way through.
Beginning with the high tempo ‘Farewell My Hell’ you automatically get a good vibe that this album is going to be enjoyable. The sound is reminiscent of the old Millencolin demo’s, though has a much darker and fuller sound making the song quite heavy, though that weight is dispersed with the killer bridge that is very uplifting. Millencolin also stray back to the
Home From Home sound with ‘Birdie’ and ‘Mooseman’s Jukebox’ which is definitely not a bad thing, as it brings together a sound the band had perfected on the last album, and these two tracks could easily be the best on the album. Both songs encompass massive sing a long choruses and heavy layering of vocals, and lyrics that just don’t make sense:
“Take warning, boxer, I threw it all away.
She, tag's along, I'm only sleeping, can't make me, stay.
Time of her time, Bob, get it right.
Let's go, Duncan, dress you up, blindfold.
Talk to me, Shandi, the first part, as we're told.
Oh sister, panic, one more night, Rip it out”
Millencolin also visit their roots, with the 1 minute 29 second whirlwind which is ‘Simple Twist of Hate.’ A fast past punk-y track that really achieves nothing, which is a shame since the build into the ending could have led to so much more since the climax of the song gets cut, making it quite annoying considering song could have lifted to a much higher level.
The real shame about
Kingwood that it is definitely front loaded with all the better tracks, though thankfully ‘Mooseman’s Jukebox’ is slotted in between all the glum that is the ending tracks, otherwise the tail end of the album would be a large drag. The first five or six tracks from the album are really the highlight, like led single ‘Ray’ which is probably the most poppy song the band have ever wrote, though it really shows how much the band have progressed from the
Life on a Plate fast paced punk days to the accessible pop/punk veterans of now.
Kingwood is probably too safe of an effort from the band, though still highlights some fantastic songs in ‘Ray’, ‘Mooseman’s Jukebox’ and ‘Birdie’. Though don’t let that deter, as it is still a very solid album, and as always Millencolin will cast its infectious spell all over you.
