Customer Reviews

Dogman

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While King's X's fan base is incredibly strong and supportive, the general public have missed out on one of the best rock bands of the 80's, 90's, and now. Dogman is a bluesy hard rock album which occasionally takes a break to pump out some thoughtful and melodic ballads. Doug Pinnick dominates this album, and his singing is in tip top shape. He wails with abandon but never loses track of himself and the music. Ty Tabor's guitar playing is stylish and heavy, but at times gentle and restrained. Jerry Gaskill backs these two musicians up with strong drumming and percussion (not to mention helping out with those vocal melodies). Highlights include the heavy blues of Dogman, the heavy pop of Pretend, the gentle and meaninful Flies & Blue Skies, the wonderfully dynamic Fool You and the staggering melodic power of Ciggarettes, arguably the album's best track.

This album is an incredibly strong offering of blues infused metal and hard rock mixed with some beautiful slow tunes. To miss out on this record is a sore mistake, and anyone with an appreciation for great rock n' roll with a heavy edge had best run to their nearest CD store and scarf this one up. Thanks for reading. (Like this review? Don't forget those nice helpful buttons below it...you want to hit yes don't you...yes...yes...)

Dan :-D

I remember delivering pizzas the day that this album came out, and the title cut was borderline violent. I'm like "This is King's X?" A month later I bought the tape, and of course I could never get enough of the title cut, but other songs came along too like "Shoes", "Pretend", "Sunshine Rain", and the other monster of a song "Human Behavior". This one blew Nirvana, Alice In Chains, and Soundgarden off the stage. It did good enough to bubble under the top 40 for awhile, but like Christian artists they don't mix too well on the regular charts. A real shame. This should've been album of the year.

Reflecting the moody grunge of the day (1994) while still maintaining the band's stylistic dignity, King's X put together this underrated gem that ranks among their best. (Okay so all of their CDs are underrated gems!) Rich, deliberate, at times primal, and distinctly dark, this release expands on the band's prior musical endeavors but still fuses King's X's unmistakeable style of funk-ish rock and awkwardly cool chord progressions. That said, this is as close to mainstream as I've ever heard King's X get.

This CD would be a fantastic listen for someone who likes Soundgarden/Alice In Chains, Rush/Yes, AND Dave Weckl/The Brecker Brothers. Just be forewarned that the predominant element is the edgy grunge, and it may be too much "hard rock" for some. To paint a clearer picture, if you have a baby in the womb and you want a peaceful childhood, DO NOT listen to this CD repeatedly! Compared to their other releases, there is some clear anger and aggression being played out in this release...but don't worry, King's X is not a hate-yell metal band.

Overall this is a wonderful CD for those in the right (or wrong) mood to listen to it. There are some weaker tracks, although all have some redeeming value in my opinion. However the songs titled Dogman, Shoes, Pretend, Black the Sky, and Pillow are all undeniably rockers. King's X is one of my favorite bands, partly because they aren't mainstream and don't sell out to every new style that comes out. In "Dogman," they DO incorporate some additional grunge style into their music but DON'T incorporate their music into grunge. Admirable for sure!

FOR KING'S X VIRGINS: If you might enjoy hearing this band's markedly unique style of rock from its roots, I would recommend starting from the very beginning, borrowing "Out of the Silent Planet" from a friend first. Then buy Gretchen Goes to Nebraska and really indulge yourself in that listen. "Gretchen" is frequently recognized as one of the best CDs in rock music history, although most mainstream rock fans aren't familiar with it. So you need to hear "Gretchen" before you can start to pass judgment on this band. Next, Faith Hope Love is also fantastic, and their self-titled CD released in 1992 is severely underrated in my opinion. (Track 5, "Chariot Song," for example, is one of the average tunes on the CD but contains an allusion to all the band's prior CDs, which I find hilarious and makes the whole song worth it!) Only after listening to the others a few times do I recommend spinning the "Dogman" CD, so that you can understand the full impact of the band's style change on this CD.

BOTTOM LINE: For those who appreciate unique bands in the rock and jazz/funk genres, King's X's "Dogman" is worth considering for your collection. For current King's X fans, you'll love the metamorphasis from the "King's X" you know as they change into a "Dogman" on this CD!

This my friends is my favorite kinkg's x cd. This is as crushing as Panteras Vulger display of power, Slayers Reign In Blood, Metellicas Master Of Puppets.

By crushing I mean the overall heaviness of the entire cd. When I first put this on I could not believe how brutal yet melodic it was! Every song fits like a glove. There's no way anyone should give this anything less then 5 stars. Crank it up and tell me Dogman doesn't sound like a giant slamming his feet to the ground crushing everything around him!

Dogman is a very strong album from King's X and their best album next to Gretchen Goes To Nebraska. This album was released when grunge rock was at its peak and Brendan O'Brien's production mirrors that time. Doug Pinnick sings all the lead vocals, which is appropriate considering the heavier tracks here. While their excellent harmonies are still intact, the tracks are more based on the groove and the riffs than on their other albums.

All of the tracks are very good, with the first half being particularly strong. The heavier tracks are excellent with the best being "Black The Sky", "Shoes", "Pretend", and the title track. The tracks "Don't Care", "Human Behavior", and "Pillow" are even heavier with their slow Black Sabbath-like riffs. The harmonies are still great, particularly on the slow ballad "Flies And Blue Skies" and the excellent "Fool You." Also present are the punk of "Go To Hell" and a killer version of Jimi Hendrix's "Manic Depression." The only thing stopping this from being a classic like Gretchen Goes To Nebraska is that a few of the tracks start to sound the same after repeated listens. Fans of the music from this era should definitely check this out.

For years my favorite Kings X album was their self-titled one, mainly because it's the one that made me a dedicated fan of the band. When "Dogman" came out I didn't know what to think, because prior to that album the band recorded layer upon layer of tracks. Anyway, I didn't listen to it for a couple years, but upon putting it back in my CD player it blew me away! "Dogman" is not as consistent as their self-titled disc, but what it lacks in consistency it makes up for in honest, spontaneous emotional music. Brendan O'Brien (producer) got some very honest and seemingly unrehearsed performances from these guys - and they shine brightly. Ty Tabor is a genius at making bone crunching rhythms melodic, while the bands harmonies lilt on top like the finest cake icing. "Tapehead" is comparable in heaviness, but "Dogman" has MUCH better production. The sound is honest, live, in your face, and pristine. The songs are also more interesting, relying on dynamics, use of aural space, and honestly written lyrics and soulful vocals. Doug Pinnick has a voice that is just incredible (though I personally prefer his gospel-like singing on "Kings X"). I disagree that this is a negative album: What it is is a realistic album. If calling things as they are is negative, then I guess reality is something we should avoid? The slow numbers of "Cigarettes" and "Flies and Blue Skies" (the latter particularly) are songs almost everyone can feel and enjoy. The rest of the album rocks (check out "Complain"). In conclusion, if the opening track of "Dogman" doesn't have you playing air guitar, air bass, or air drums, right off the bat - you got a problem!

After separating from their longtime producer/manager Sam Taylor in 1991, King's X came thundering back in 1994 with what, in my opinion, is their strongest album. Atlantic Records set them up with Brendan O'Brien, who was one of the biggest rock producers of the time (most notably producing Pearl Jam's best work). O'Brien brought a sound that was more stripped down than their highly polished first four albums, and though it brought a different element to the band, it fit the songs on Dogman perfectly.

O'Brien's production brought Doug Pinnick's bass further up in the mix than it had ever been before, and peeled back the layers and layers of Ty Tabor's trademark guitar parts, until it was much more of a guitar/bass/drums trio. Gone are the occasional sitar riffs, crunching rhythmic breaks, and layers of guitar under Ty's solos that Sam Taylor had made into a trademark of the band's sound. The group's trademark three part harmonies are also pushed more onto the back burner as well. The result is a darker, heavier, and more raw sound for the band.

However, with the combination of musical influences that Doug, Ty and Jerry Gaskill bring to the table, King's X still maintain a unique flavor to their music. O'Brien's leanings toward grunge music, combined with the band's penchant for tight rhythms, Beatlesque harmonies, Doug's soulful vocals, and all-around top notch musicianship, make for a classic, and tragically overlooked, album.

I have all of the King's X albums and this one, IMHO, is the best. Upon first listen, I really wasn't sold on this album. However, I had forgotten to take it out of my player and decided to give it one more try. I liked it better the second time. It wasn't until the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and so on listens that I started noticing what these geniuses had created. It is truly a classic! Maybe die hard King's X fans didn't need multiple listens to love this album, but I just wanted to express my experience. My 1st King's X album was 'XV' because I got it for half price at a Border's store. I knew nothing about the band, but thought the cover was interesting. What a find! However, 'Dogman' eclipses 'XV' and all of the other King's X albums I believe. Give it a listen and you will see!

BTW, King's X side projects are pretty good too! I still prefer King's X, but their side projects are still better than most bands out there. It is a joy to listen to music created by exceptionally talented musicians in terms of instrumentation, composition, song writing, and lyricism.

One last comment. I am spiritual, but don't care one way or another about what religion a person holds close. Don't let the beliefs of these gentleman dissuade you from listening to their music. I am a 'Wagner' fan and someone got mad at me because of Wagner's anti-Semitic leanings. He said, 'how can you listen to that stuff. he is a hater'. I told this person that the gift of music is independent of the man. I am not comparing these guys in any way to Wagner. I just want to let people know that King's X music is just wonderful. I don't find it 'preachy' in any way. It is spiritual, but isn't this what great music is supposed to be all about?

Maybe their beliefs keep them from gaining a wider audience. From my heart, this is a real shame. This is truly a great band! Give them a try and you won't be disappointed.

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. If you are out there. Thanks Doug. You changed my life.

This album rocks. I think that it is King's X s best album . It has a dark side to it which give it a little bite. Cigarettes has to be one of the greatest songs ever penned. It has an awesome ty tabor solo that is intertwined with depressing lyrics about hopelessness sung in a way that only doug Pennick could do. Once you hear it this song will stay in your head for a long time. the rest of the album rocks also. Definate must have for anyone who likes rockin blues.