Can I bend your ear (or eyes I guess) for a minute? You ever feel like life is kicking the crap out of you. The Dogman understands you. He gets you. Doug, Ty and Jerry lay it all out in soulful verse over pounding drums, sick guitar licks and outrageous bass (Doug plays a 12 string bass like no one I have ever seen). The 12 sting bass should be a requirement but I just think that everyone stays away because no one can do with it what Doug does. He is the poster child for Hamer Basses because he has made their 12 string a thing of lust and desire of bassists around the world; I know, I am one of the lusting bass players that knows I have no prayer of ever pulling this kind of insane bass line on 12 STRINGS! DID YOU HEAR ME? 12 STRINGS! THE GUY IS AWESOME, INCREDIBLE, UNBELIEVABLE, GIFTED BEYOND BELIEF. There is not one bad song on this album. Not even one that I could classify as a borderline song. This is the most solid album the band produced to date of release and still may be their album of legacy because it just doesn't get any better than this. The standout track is a standout for one reason only; it is a LIVE VERSION OF "MANIC DEPRESSION". You know, that little diddy that Jimi Hendrix played so well all those years ago. If I didn't know any better, I would think that Jimi came back and sang with King's X for this one show. Doug hits the same blue notes of pain that Jimmy made an artform. What is amazing is that it is LIVE! These guys just make it look too easy. ONE OF THE GREATEST LIVE RECORDINGS BY ANY BAND EVER. OK, next. "Shoes" deals with the pain that causes people to commit suicide, "Pretend" seems to be directed at pleasing people because the truth just gets you in trouble even if the truth is the best answer, "Flies And Blue Skies" is a blues/rock tune that oozes pain, "Black The Sky" is a cry for peace and quiet, for a chance to be left alone, "Fool You" is hard to call, Doug was dealing with some serious issues with people that take advantage, "Don't Care" kind of says it all, except that there is pain because he doesn't want to let go, "Sunshine Rain" is another blues/rock tune that hurts, beautiful pain, "Complain" just points to the fact that we always have something to bitch about but rarely put it in context, "Human Behavior" speaks of every person's battle with conscience, "Cigarettes" is a cry for attention, a truly sad song if you listen to the words, "Go To Hell" is a quick 30 second blast of loud guitars, bass and drums with lyrics that no one has yet to understand, and finally "Pillow" is a hard hitting cry for sleep in my mind, I feel the pressure because I struggle sleeping because I can't shut my mind down and the wrongs that are done to me each day are a big part of that, tough to let go. If I had to recommend 1 King's X album, other than their best of which followed the album after Dogman, I would say with 100% assurance that this is the one you have to have. The pain and grief expressed on this album is a mirror through which each of us should look at ourselves. This album got me through my late teen years. I listened to it, angry at the world. Then, 1 night after I saw them in concert, Doug spoke to me for about 45 minutes and opened up to me about life, love and the pressures of trying to stand up for what you believe in when everyone is kicking you around. We wrote back and forth for several years after and I credit him with helping me to grow up. Thanks Doug.Read full review
While the band's talent is obvious, this cd is simply not as good as Gretchen. For some, it might actually be a disappointment. While their creativity is to be appreciated, there is still some musical direction that is lacking. They definitely have a social conscience, which is good to hear. They are sensitive yet emotive. The band is solid musically. The bass is especially prevalent on some songs. It comes across heavy and crunchy at times. This is not their heaviest release nor does it have gut-wrenching ballads as on other cd's. The Hendrix cover is of course very well done, but both its inclusion and Go to Hell are confusing here. Pretend and Complain are both good songs lyrically that lead us to compare our fates with those of others. I really haven't got it so bad, even on bad days, so what do I have to complain about really? Contentment is a biblical virtue, after all. The band here explores human depravity more than spiritual issues common to other outings.Read full review
Verified purchase: No
This CD was printed in 4 colors and fans collect all 4. I was expecting the yellow cover as pictured but received red one. Fortunately, I needed that one also but was disappointed that it was not as advertised. The CD is in great shape otherwise.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Cd was in great shape
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
..period.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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