KINGSLEY
Kingsley (Blood Orange)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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There's really nothing about this albums opening tune, "New Rock City," that suggests anything special to come. It sounds very much like nearly everything in the middle of the pack from the last half dozen years of Alt Rock, only there's really no hook. To keep from losing potential fans, they should name the album It Gets Better As You Go. Before very long you've got interesting lyrics, unexpected arrangements, ever-increasing power, sharp hooks and plenty of ear candy. Harry Thurmond (ex Hammerbox) approaches guitar from somewhere deep within the chaos theory, attacking the strings as if he were crazed, making jagged, scary sounds that couldn't possibly be intentional, except that they're perfect in their imperfection. Moments later he'll be playing something beautifully structured, haunting and lilting, tricking you into thinking there are two guitarists with opposite styles. Uh uh, just Harry. He happens to be a damned good singer, too, in a damned good band with a damned good CD that gets better with each successive track. To be honest, the alt scene makes me crazy. Bands like this give me hope.

© 2005 - DJ Johnson