Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0039841451320
Format: Live
Label: Metal Blade
Manufacturer: Metal Blade
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Metal Blade
Release Date: 2004-11-02
Studio: Metal Blade
MPN: 14513

Hard Rock

Customer Rating:
Summary: Amen to the poor sound and horrible production
Comment: First let me say that I have loved King's X since Gretchen Goes to Nebraska (which is simply one of the greatest hard rock albums ever recorded and I bought OOTSP within 2 weeks) have seen them multiple times and think Ty Tabor is one of the best guitarists out there. I also agree with the reviewers who think this is one of the most underappreciated bands in the history of rock music.

But, after reading all the negative comments concerning the sound of this album, I never bought it and I'm glad I didn't. A friend recently got a used copy; I listened to his, and must say that there is just NO EXCUSE, in this day and age, for a live album to sound THIS awful!! It's HORRIBLE!!

For comparison - a few months ago I reviewed Riot's live album "Shine On" and it sounded just fine. For those who don't know, Riot is even MORE underrated and overlooked than King's X (but not quite as good) so I'm sure has an even smaller recording budget that they do. But, heck, Shine On, even being live, sounds better than the two studio albums before it! So King's X has no excuse! NONE!

In fact this thing is SO horrible I doubt I will ever listen to it again because I have BOOTLEGS that sound better!!

If this was a lesser band than King's X I would most definitely give this a big fat ONE star! But, the band's performance doesn't sound bad and the song selection is pretty good (echo the complaint about no 4th album cuts, wouldn't mind The Prisoner or Not Just For The Dead) so: band and content = 5 stars/production =1 star, which comes to what it deserves - 3 stars!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: I have loved these guys since OOTSP, but...
Comment: well, this is kind of hard to say, because I have been a fan of King's X since I was a teenager, when they released Out of the Silent Planet back in the abysmal 80's (which I hated musically until these guys came along). Every album up to Dogman was absolutely fantastic, and that includes the transition from their original label and producer to the mainstream guys that released Dogman.

All of that being said, it is strange to listen to a CD with some of the greatest music I have ever heard, and not feel a lot of emotion. I have seen the boys several times and never did they sound like what this disc makes them sound like they sound (if that makes any sense).

Here's the deal, of course the songs are great, the musicianship is great, the harmonies are great, that is what Doug, Ty and Jerry do. But, the recording and mixing is B-A-D, bad. It sounds like they're playing inside a dumpster or a big tin can with one microphone and one amp.

Having seen them, I know that this is not what they sound like, so it is disappointing and I don't understand why the production is sub-par.

Regardless, King's X will always be in my top 3 bands and anything they produce is worth the money, if for no other reason than to show my support for 3 guys that were a big part of my life, even if they didn't know it. I would say that this is a good album to have for the die-hards or those of you that are aware of the King's X sound.

But, if you don't know King's X, and I mean really know King's X, like from Out of the Silent Planet and Gretchen Goes to Nebraska and Faith Hope Love and King's X and Dogman, I would recommend that you start there. At least get their Best of so you understand the talent, the sheer force behind what these 3 guys can do, because when they are on, they are off the hook. I recommend a listen to "Manic Depression LIVE" from "Dogman" and "Over My Head LIVE" from "Best of" for a true understanding of what these guys sound like live.

I left every one of their concerts with my chest hurting from the sound that was bouncing off of my body. I have memories of tears and laughs and smokes and drinks listening to King's X; and I have a very special memory of meeting and talking to Doug in Richmond, VA after a show back in 94. He is a truly kind man, a phenomenal bassist (I still try to emulate him but to no avail), and an exceptional singer (the blues of rock just drip from his lips like Jimi Hendrix or B.B. King; he got soul).

I LOVE KING'S X and I always will, but I really wish that this release would have better displayed the talent that I know that Doug, Ty and Jerry bring to the table as the most underrated, unrecognized and utterly talented band of all time (and there's only 3 of them, can anyone say Rush, because that is the only other band that I can think of that does what King's X does; as a 3 piece, and I think King's X does it better).

But, like I said, I can't put down King's X, even if the sound is a little off; I just love these guys too much. So, I give it a 2 for the technical, a 5 for musicianship, talent and all-around kick-A55 album making, and a bonus point because they ARE KING'S X! Which is how I arrive at a 3-4 star rating.

Hurts to say so, because I have never rated a King's X album lower than a 5. It just doesn't seem right.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: can't wait for the dvd!!! greatest underrated rock band
Comment: this is 'the' greatest underrated hard / classic / progressive rock band of the last 20 years. if you listen you wont be dissapointed. hope to see them live at least on dvd, because chances of them coming to south america are close to zero. long live king's X!!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Hurts me to say this but.....this is not good
Comment: I am a huge KX fan for over 15 years - I have all the early albums and a few of the post Sam Taylor albums (i.e. Dogman, Ear Candy, Bulbous Head etc.). I paid about $23.00 for this Live Album at Borders (or B&N:don't remember) and I was really displeased with it. I am very surprised they even let this get out to the public. I know they are pretty quality driven guys and this surprises me. For what it is worth; I also haven't really ever thought they surpassed the high level of quality they achieved in the first 6 albums (first 6 albums being: OOTSP, GGTN, FHL, KX,KX, Dogman & Ear Candy). I do believe Sam Taylor and the engineering and production team involved in the first 4 records were superior to anything yet to date as well (the fellas would hate me for saying that). Brendan O'brien did capture some magic and passion on Dogman but even that is missing the Ty Tabor signature sound, since he ditched his old Fender Strat Elite and Lab Series amp setup for the most part on that album and most of the rest since. To sum it up: All albums after Earcandy (1996) have songs that normally would have not made the cut on major label releases, in my honest opinion. This is where I have been turned off lately (post 1996 albums such as Tape Head, Bulbous Head, and even the new one bore me both in song quality and tonal creativity as Ty once had) CAVEAT: Ty's website has some cool stuff on it - try buying stuff off there.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: King's X Sounds Great Live!
Comment: This is one of my favorite live albums, and has to be considered one of the best live rock albums of the 2000's. King's X is arguably the best working rock band of the last fifteen years, and terribly underappreciated. The 3-piece band is great in this CD's shows and lays down deep, growling grooves throughout the album. All of their best songs are here from Over My Head to an acoustic rendition of Goldilox. If you haven't been able to see King's X on tour, then this 2-CD set can definitely help you live the experience. The Live All Over the Place set would be a great gift to give to any King's X fan or fan of melodic rock in general! Make sure you pick up a copy today, and you'll need all of their studio work too!

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