Crash Kings

Crash Kings | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 26, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Custard / Universal Motown Records
• ASIN: B0026IZR7K
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #74,339 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2009 debut from this Alternative Rock trio from L.A. signed by Linda Perry. Crash Kings is a guitar driven band without a guitar. They play anthemic Rock on analog instruments. Their lyrics are intimate and honest, sung in a soaring voice. Crash Kings are the first U.S. band producer Dave Sardy (Oasis, Wolfmother, Ting Tings) has worked with in seven years. Features 'Mountain Man', '1985' and '14 Arms'.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I Can't Drive 55, July 20, 2009

By 

Bicycle Day - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Crash Kings (Audio CD)

(What's this?)

What is wrong with a little piano pacing the mix?

The Crash Kings - Antonio Beliveau (vocals, piano, keyboards), Michael Beliveau (bass), Jason Morris (drums) - ditch the lead guitar for a unique sound on the 10 tracks. And though "Mountain Man" - which packs a punch of the best arena rock from Billy Squier - may lure in the curious, it is where things are kept simple that's most successful.

The top cut is "Come Away," which has a wonderful strings arrangement from David Campbell. "It's Only Wednesday" has the pop sensibilities of the Small Faces, with elements of the Climax Blues Band sprinkled into the mid-tempo "My Love." Morris drives the beat on "Raincoat," while Michael Beliveau provides a harder edge on "You Got Me."

The only stumble is on "Non-Believer," where the gimmicky layered-vocals sounds like something arranged by a clone of Sir George Martin who is on anabolic steroids. But the next cut - "14 Arms" - has a frantic pace that works very well.

The road may be winding, but the twists and turns find this "power trio" commandeering the tangents without the use of the guardrails.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Crash Kings Are Standing On Top of a Mountain, Everybody Else Is Rockin' That Valley Down Below, March 11, 2010

By 

Flap Jackson "Sky Is Burning, But At Least We... (State Road, NC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Crash Kings (MP3 Download)

Let's face it, since the demise of Ben Folds, piano rock has been lacking of late. So, if you're tired of the pop stylings of The Fray, prepare for the real thing with Crash Kings. Crash Kings knows what they're good at, and they do it pretty well. Most of the songs are primarily piano-driven and guitar-free, but when the guitar does make an appearance, the band juggles the two instruments well.

Highlights Include:
Mountain Man
1985
14 Arms
Raincoat

Vocally, the band sounds like a more southern-rock version of The White Stripes. And it not only works on the rock songs, but they also do a pretty decent ballad. Add to that some good lyrical work, and some memorable songs, and you got yourself the full Crash Kings package, and a pretty good debut from the band. It may not be that expansive sound-wise, but if there's one thing you can't say about the band, it's that they never crash and burn. No crashing here. Just cruising along the little-tread highway of true piano rock.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Get Moving!, February 22, 2011

By 

Seth C. Dortch (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crash Kings (Audio CD)

(What's this?)

Linda Perry is a pretty smart lady. Say what you will, the woman has an eye for talent. This is proved by this cd and many others. Sure we have all heard the #1 single Mountain Man, but how is the rest of the album?

Pretty darn good actually. The cd keeps the music upbeat and lively. Each song flows nicly into the next and keeps your foot tapping. It is piano driven and a little like The Fray, but has more rock injection in my opinion. How do the songs break down? Let's do the 1 to 5 scale (5 is the best).

Mountain Man - 4.8
Song speaks for itself. It's upbeat and will get you up and moving every time.

1985 - 4.2
Another upbeat song. This one could be a single as well.

It's only Wednesday - 4.4
This song is pretty cool for 2 reasons. One it shows off Tony Beliveau's vocal range nicely. And second, Ben Folds Five are back together! That's who they remind me of on this track.

Come Away - 4.0
You know, I am not a Crash Kings fanboy or anything. This album is just solid. Songs like this one are in the upper range because they are just that darn good!

Non Believer - 3.2
The third single from the cd. Good but nothing special in my opinion.

14 Arms - 4.8
Possibly the most rocking song on the whole cd. Listen to this and try not start bobbing to this one! I found this one of the most exciting songs on the whole cd.

Raincoat - 3.4
Another song that could have easily been a single.

You Got Me - 4.3
The second single. By this point in the record I decided I wanted to see them live. The energy is amazing.

Saving Grace - 3.6
It strikes me on this song how they are not just good songwriters, but also good musicians as well. Kudos!

My Love - 4.8
You might think the last song on the album would be filler, but it's honestly one of the best songs on the whole cd.

Total 41.5 / 50.0. Not too shabby! This cd is completely worth your hard earned money. No need to just buy single songs off amazon.com. Just fork the cash over for this great record.