THE KING IS DEAD

With apologies to Andyman, and the others who put this album down, I disagree with what they said. I had the Hazards Of Love CD and like it too, but I dont think they sold out. Much on the contrary, I put The King Is Dead in the same league as their previous work. Ok, I reckon it is much simpler, not really progressive in the way Hazards Of Love was in terms of complex structures and elaborate lyrics. However, simpler never meant worse for me. In fact, to keep it simple and still manage to come up with pleasant melodies and convincing tunes it´s an art that few people can handle. And The King Is Dead is surely a very melodic and pleasant record for the ears. And original too, by the way (just show me anyone that makes the same kind of music nowadays).

So why the three star rating? Because as much as I love this album, this is more a country record than a prog record as far as labels are concerned. And PA is a prog site. I´m glad this band is in the site because they are really progressive in the way progressive rock was meant to be originally, I.e., it expands the original musical language it came from. So, for a country rock CD, the King Is Dead is quite progressive, even if it never really reachs the heights of the acclaimed (and much more difficult to digest) The Hazards Of Love.

It´s funny how I really rather hear this one to their previous, more famous, efford. It´s music that touches the soul. The production is quite good, the performances of the musicians are excellent and the songwriting is top notch. I really loved the tasteful arrangements that enhances the already fine tunes with lovely subtleties. Some tracks may be better than the others, but there are no real fillers. And songs like Rise to Me, Down By the Water and Rox In The Box are really divine, inspired tracks that make me hit the repeat key several times.

This band is still surprising me. And they reached the supreme objective of any muscial project: to deliver somenthing full of power and energy, something that strikes a chord emotionally. And The King Is Dead does the job. For a country rock record, 5 stars (a real classic). For a progressive work, 3 stars (excellent, ok, but not really essential for the prog collector).

If you like just good music regardless of the genre, go for it!