Customer Reviews

Future Kings of Spain

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

 

 

If you were a Dinosaur Jnr fan of the "Where You Been" era, or dined out on the glorious era of early 90's alternative rock (reads mainstream now) this album by FKOS is the best thing to happen to you yet. There are so many tracks here that sweep you away in a melodic barrage of post My Bloody Valentine guitar. I was amazed this band didn't break big time in the US (or that this is still an import). They toured the UK last year to rave reviews. This album is so good, that the next, which they record this year, if it's better, will be mind blowing.

This is just flat out a great album. Great range of songs, from soft to full on, and they do it all well. FKOS are one of those bands that should be so much more recognised than they are, but their stuff is so hard to come across (in Australia at least). After I lost this album the first time, I just had to buy it again..

The Kings have a few things going for them. They have a certain style and production that brings back flashes of the true roots of alternative rock that bands like Nickelback have pissed on, then ate and shat out for good measure. Despite the desperate rage of the first track, the album quickly settles into a set of fairly good, not bad but not awesome, grungy, mid-nineties Weezer-esque tunes while "Venetian Blinds" is a veritable interpolation of the Flaming Lips' "She Don't Use Jelly." It's not hard to listen to but I doubt it'll break any sales records or light anyone's world on fire [that's what Global Warming is for]. There are a few production attempts here and there but there really isn't a whole lot of bells or whistles to make this very interesting. It's pretty standard really except standards have dropped drastically since '96 so an honest attempt at anything should be applauded on principle. Creed, they ain't. But the key word out of this tirade is standard. Their songs are polished but polished silver is still worth less than dirty gold. If you're in the store holding this CD, think first. Do you already have Pinkerton, In Utero, and all the old Alice In Chains? Just because they're not new doesn't mean they're not still valid. Listen before you buy.

FKOS were nominated (with 5 other bands including The Metoeros and The Thrills) as the best Irish rocks acts of 2004. This first album is sensational and is the most refreshing guitar thrashing sounds since Dinosaur Jr's "Where You Been" in the ealry 90's. I'm a huge fan of the early 90's explosive indie rock fare, and this album picks up the mantle and takes it into the new milenium. 'Ventian Blinds' is the single but 'Meanest Sound', 'Simple Fact', 'Traps' and 'Starlight' are all standouts. Along with the band Razorlight, FKOS represent the best new indie music on offer. New album comes out this year, look out.

source: www.alternativemalta.com

Be warned: The Future Kings Of Spain's peaceful album cover of a rhinoceros on a yellow background may denote a fey indie pop band. Nothing could be further than the truth. Future... Kings are a noisy band yet with a load of catchy hooks to give The Strokes a run for their money. Opener `A Place for Everything' is shouty and loud. In fact I would like to say that loud is definitely the key issue here.

These are songs straight from the studio into the busiest area of the mosh pit.
Most of the songs here are anthemic beyond degree. Take `Venetian Blinds'. It has a riff not dissimilar to The Flaming Lips `She Don't use Jelly' and `do do do' backing vocals, and then singer Joey Wilson assures us that when he opens his eyes he can almost see us (but through venetian blinds), and as the song goes on you feel more and more uplifted. The best thing is that the album does this a further 10 times, by the end of which you'll feel so ... powerful and confident that you just have to listen to the album again. Top quality all around. These guys may not be kings now but they'll reign over the music world soon.