Album Review

Now I love my funk, I love my old skool rhythm n blues, I like a bit of rock, but when you say blues band I automatically see two slightly oversized men wearing dark shades and suits. This debut album by the band King King featuring Alan Nimmo has been pigeon holed as blues music, but I think it is so much more than that. I mean one sound is never purely one genre but a mix of influences, and this is apparent with King King.

This album has been produced by the same team who brought us the Kaiser Chiefs, The Noisettes and the Artic Monkeys and they have had much success playing at festivals such as Glastonbury. With numerous amounts of gigs under their belts, a Maida Vale live session and great feedback on Radio 2, the band are doing pretty well!

When I first whacked this CD on I did pull a face the kind of face which simple said, this sucks! The first track reminded me of some average pub band doing rock (and badly!) who are trying to make it in showbiz but failing miserably because their sound is boring. It doesnt excite me therefore I do not care. I really wanted to stop listening but Im all about being fair (and nothing was on TV at the time!) so onwards I went to the second track and things picked up somewhat!

Its like King King switched it up and quit performing as wedding singers with random accompaniment, to a tight band with some decent funk shapes being thrown all over the shop! The track Take My Hand is a little head bopper with a feel good punchy brass section and some soulful vocals. This vibe continues with a few other tracks where you can really feel the bluesy tones as they evoke the true essence of soul with great backing singers and an up tempo beat. You can also imagine how great these guys must sound live with their track All Your Life which has the hand claps, the organ sounding off and a bit of call and response with random outbursts of yeah! just for good measure!

There is a classic old skool RnB feel with certain songs where you can envisage some dude with a harmonica swaying in a Stevie Wonder type manner throwing out lyrics like My baby left me ba da da da daaa! as the congregation are waving their arms as if they understand the pain of the lead singer! One track called Feels Like Rain does have a gospel type flavour in there with super heartfelt and emotive lyrics. So if you feel like saying Amen then just do it my friends!

In stark contrast to the up tempo tracks of funking out to some heavy blues and rock, there are the odd slower jams to chill to. For example Eric Claptons Old Love and my favourite off the album, Nothing Takes The Place Of You. This is purely because it reminds me of the old Motown sound from the 60s. A simple beat coupled with reflective passionate lyrics all packaged up in a beautiful love song. Winner!

So initially this album for me was a slow burner that may grow on me, but it got there in the end! I think I would prefer to see them live in a random venue or on stage at a festival as I can see myself jumping around like an overly enthusiastic fool! However, I still felt like it was missing something. But maybe after a few more listens I may change my mind who knows!