4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Like the song says, Give It Some Time..., August 13, 2006
I saw these guys live, without actually meaning to. They played a small club in Portland in support of this CD, and I went to see a friends' band that opened the show. Afterwards, another buddy mentioned he thought Maktub was okay, so I stuck around for about three songs, and was completely underwhelmed. Most of the crowd drifted away to the bar even before that (except for a few die-hards, presumably on a road trip down from Seattle for the evening). They were possibly the lousiest band I've ever seen live. Not musically - that part of the act was fine, but despite their blazing alt-rock poses and singer Reggie Watts' big 'fro, as a group Maktub had as much charisma on stage as a bowl of soggy oatmeal.
A year later, I found Khronos stuck in a bargain bin at a record store. For some reason, it struck a chord and I bought it on a whim. I popped the disc into my car stereo and, crazy enough, there it stayed, for most of the summer.
Maybe I was still a little prejudiced from the lame live show, but it took a few listenings for me to get into this album. Maktub is one of those bands who's stylistic influences don't always mesh gracefully, resulting in music that oozes all over the place: bland, soul-less ballads mixing with with bombastic, Led Zepplin-ish style rock and Sly Stone funk; much like the original Saturday Night Live crew, when the boys are on, they are on. Unfortunately, when they're not, they're not.
Thank God for my iPod. It's given this album a whole new life, being able to edit out the boring crud from the jams. 'Give Me Some Time' rocks, and the moody 'Just Like Murder' is the best song on the CD - and they're probably the most radio-friendly tunes on the album, too.
After immersing myself in Khronos, I went back and bought Maktub's debut album, Subtle Ways. The leap Maktub has made musically since then is immense. The band is solid, but the addition of versatile guitarist Thaddeus Turner since that first effort has really fleshed out the band's sound (and their follow up to Khronos, 2005's Say What You Mean, is even better).
The star here though, is Reggie Watts (a fixture of the Seattle music scene since the early '90's), and his deep, expressive baritone. He's got the vocal chops - and the hair - to burn bright enough to eventually leave these guys behind (see his solo album, Simplified).
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sweet sound.., May 8, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: Khronos (Audio CD)
Reggie Watts provides spectacular vocals, combined with outstanding percussion from Davis Martin and sweet solid guitar, bass and synth, makes this one of the best CDs I've ever purchased.
This CD is well recorded and produced with the sound being super rich and smooth, just as the promotion says "soul drenched and raw".
What can I say? Was turned-on to Maktub by a freind and am better for it. Just bought 4 more copies to give as gifts.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An oasis of GREAT music, October 14, 2004
I can't begin to describe just how gratifying this CD is. I've been listening to it almost exclusively for several months now and I've been addicted to every song at one point or another. It is the favorite CD in our household by a landslide - my wife and both of my kids (8 and 9) are severely addicted to it as well.
The musicianship, the orginality of the song arrangements, the power and texture of Reggie Watt's vocals, the very tasteful blend of blend of Rock & Soul, the addition of Thaddeus Turner on the guitar... I can't say enough about it. Although I loved their first CD - Subtle Ways - Khronos far surpasses their debut album. And I have enough faith in this band that I think their 3rd CD will be just as good as Khronos.
Maktub is going to be huge. Their music is substantial, original, and has 'staying power'. It's not what I call 'popcorn' music - music that leaves you feeling hungry for something else after listening to it 2 or 3 times.
Buy this album now.
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