Customer Reviews

King Cool

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For those of you that think Donnie Iris was only good for "Ah Leah" and "Love is like a Rock," you've missed out on some incredibly catchy music.

With "King Cool," Donnie Iris continued with the same variety of pop/rock/r&b that came on "Back on the Streets." "King Cool" just edges that album out of the top spot in that it has even more layered vocal harmonies. This is especially evident on songs like "Broken Promises" and "Color Me Blue," a personal favorite.

There were a few hits on the album -- "Love is Like a Rock," "That's the Way Love Ought to Be," and the criminally ignored "Merilee." Each of these songs is pop rock perfection. As a matter of fact, the album as a whole is enjoyable all the way through; there really isn't a bad song on the disc!

If You're new to Donnie Iris's music, your best bet would be to start with one of the greatest hits compilations. But even if you do buy the individual albums, you really can't go wrong. Both "Back in the Streets" and "King Cool" are great power pop classics.

If you ever have a chance to see this band live, make sure you do it. They are tremendously talented and still sound like they did 20 years ago. It's always a thrill when I catch them on the radio or hear their music being played at ballgames or someplace like that. Get this CD if you don't have it already.

When a band has a huge hit with their first album, often the next release just doesn't measure up, but Donnie Iris didn't have that problem with "King Cool". Once again, the power vocals are unbelievable and every song is worth listening to over and over. You feel like you know the characters in the songs.

After breaking out with the perfect single, "Ah Leah!," Donnie Iris and his new Cruisers launched forth with a semi-concept album. "King Cool" was a street bard with love for "Sweet Merilee" and a knack for Buddy Holly pop. In the span of ten songs, King Cool sees his love rise ("Love Is Like a Rock") and ultimately crash ("The Last To Know"). In between, Iris and his band tackle a variety of styles. From Elvis Costello new wave ("Pretender") to Huey Lewis Top 40 hits ("My Girl"), "King Cool" expertly wove an album as solid as the eighties could provide. This was Donnie Iris' best full length album, even though he still turned out some top flight singles on all his albums. The proof of the kind of ecstasy that Iris was able to pry out of his work is best witnessed in "That's The Way Love Ought To Be." As the song nears its climax, Iris/Cool asks Merilee to "come a little closer, a little bit closer, and kiss me" just before leaning in with a perfect rock and roll yelp of "oh oh oh yeaaaaaahhhhhhhh" delight. As poppy as Huey Lewis, but not as threatening as Joe Jackson or Elvis Costello, Iris walked a fine line all the way through "King Cool."

I bought this way back in the early 80's and wore the cassette out. I have not heard these songs since then. Donnie has had very little radio play over the years. What a shame that is. This Cd is one of my favorites, great lead and background vocals. Favorites include My Girl, Love Is Like A Rock and Sweet Merilee. Many thanks go out to Amazon for carrying this cd. This is a gem. If you like solid Rock and Roll with great vocals give this a try. Donnie is very good.

An incredibly underated and underlistened to artist. If you ever get the chance to see Donnie Iris in concert, you will definitely be an instant fan.

Since the release of the "Love is like a rock" single, all the way through college and up to today, this classic album will always be a rock and roll great. Excellent guitar work, powerful vocals and dynamic lyrics make it a great !!!

My tuneful Cleveland-based roomies in college at Ohio State (music major and criminologist) introduced me to Aaron Copeland, Manhattan Transfer and the favorite son of Cleveland, Michael Stanley Band. I never caught on to MSB but I did discover Donnie Iris through them.

Sure, he looks like a geek, but he definately can jive & wail. The last song, "The Last To Know" is my favorite and brings back memories of keggers and term papers (and getting dumped). I haven't heard the song in 16 years and I still have it buzzing in my brain. The story is soooo pitiful to listen too and Iris' singing carries the message. The guitar work is unique and enjoyable. The entire album is chockful of good tunes, unlike the album with "Ah, Leah" which has two good songs. I'll get that one too, however.

I've been looking these two Iris' albums for the past two decades but nobody gotz in their catalogs--until Amazon. I think I'll go look in the Stylistics section as well.

Color me blue, is definately in my top 10 songs of all time (A+), and then theres 'love is like a rock (simular to Joan Jetts 'I love rock 'n roll' only better) my girl, and 'Thats the way Love aught to be ,all 4 star or (A) excellent, and 'Broken promices, King cool, the promis and sweet merilee are great tunes (about B+ to A-) the others are no worse then (B) there are no fillers on this album. Donnie Iris started gradualy slipping whith each album afterwards though. (or I guess I should say Mark Asvec since he is the real genius, until 'Cellarful of Noise' by Asvec, a totaly awsome album which gives 'King cool' a run for its money, unfortunately it is extremely rare.

I've been listening to this album since the year it was released (first on wax, then CD and now digitally). Great pop/rock--solid vocals and guitar work from beginning to end.