King's X＜限定盤＞

Having lost their way somewhat with the overtly commercial and carefree Faith Hope Love, King's X tried to regain lost momentum with their eponymous fourth release. The album explores the darker side of their songwriting with mixed results, often over-compensating for the cheerfulness of its predecessor at the expense of the courageous experimentation for which the band had become known. The unprecedented aggression in the opener "The World Around Me" illustrates the band taking stock of this new challenge and fighting back, while the first single, "Black Flag," clearly displays their fresh no-nonsense approach. The excellent "Prisoner" and "Lost in Germany" are also standouts, and despite its confusing lyrics, closer "Silent Wind" manages to put a positive spin on things. Other interesting moments include the wistful "Dream in My Life" and the somber "Ooh Song," which harkens back to days past with its prog rock feel and use of space. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia