King of Fools

Delirious?

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 19, 1998)
• Original Release Date: May 19, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sparrow
• ASIN: B000006R8P
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #91,280 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In addition to its message of all-out, headlong surrender to the Gospel, Delirious's first widely accessible album also has just plain old good music. Often described as the "new U2," Delirious's resemblance is not hard to detect. Martin Smith's vocals, like Bono's, are far ranging and have a captivating, heart-wrenching emotionalism. The band as a whole has a kind of reckless innovation that consistently surges into stunning new territory. On King of Fools, for instance, the presence of a violin, a choir, and a Rickenbacker in one song is not an unusual combination, and the use of every kind of guitar in existence seems to be their specialty. Anyone would agree that Delirious is casting a mold of their own. Their hunger for God is strenuous and explores the depths of all struggles: the longing for more of Him and developing the patience to wait, the struggle for belief when "blood rolls down upon our land" and when love spills "down that wooden cross" ("White Ribbon Day"), and the struggle when the gifts He brings "rob [our] innocence" ("King or Cripple"). In every song, the tension eventually culminates in a contemplation of the Cross--as when in "All the Way" Smith erupts, "with you I'm washed as white as the snow and all crimson stain becomes as a shadow"--and the effect is only more stirring. Never has an album had so much rock and so much passion; listen and you'll be hungry for more. --Courtenay Kehn

From CCM Magazine -- Subscribe Now!

The problem with Delirious name is that you might expect the band to be more... something... than it really is. Louder, perhaps. Or perhaps a little crazier. But the good thing about Delirious is that these five guys do what they do (guitar-driven alterna-praise, for lack of a better term) very, very well.

If you haven't heard the story yet, here's the nutshell: Delirious grew out of a series of youth group meetings called Cutting Edge that began in 1992 in Littlehampton, England. Very quietly, the band garnered a stable of praise songs and originals, culminating in album releases that caught the attention of BBC Radio, and another Brit-pop sensation was born (albeit without most of the problems that seem to dog the rest of the Brit-pop sensation population).

King of Fools, released last year in the UK, is just now making its way over to "this side of the pond" and is composed of 13 exceptionally well-crafted tracks that, lyrically, speak directly to youth populations of both cultures who are seeking their spiritual path. Perhaps the intended listeners are churched, perhaps not, but the approachability of the lyrical sense will neither offend the saved nor turn away the sinner.

If there's a flaw in Delirious sonic approach, its that they sound a little too much like a British version of Big Tent Revival (and mind you, this isn't a slam to either band). Yes, the musical nods to English contemporaries such as Oasis, Del Amitri and The Verve are there, but there are times when, if you scrubbed the accent from lead singer Martin Smiths voice, you'd swear you were listening to BTR's Steve Wiggins.

Standout tracks include the contemplative title cut, the Vigilantes-esque "Revival Town," the swampy opener "Sanctify," and the (probably) U2-inspired manifesto "White Ribbon Day."

The primary question surrounding Delirious now is "When can we hear more?" -- Lucas W. Hendrickson (c) 1998 CCM Communications, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful!, February 19, 2000

By	"tinspott" (Owosso, Michigan) - See all my reviews

Where do you begin when you have such a wonderful album? Sanctify-WOW! that song gets to my heart every time. Deeper-their pop hit has such a true chorus. (And the wonder of it all is that I'm living just to fall more in love with you.) Revival Town-To put this song out as a single was possibly a risky move because the lyrics are so unabashadly christian but I think thats what makes the song great. All the way and August 30-beautiful worship pieces.Promise-Pure Rock(A Preview of whats to come on Mezzamorphis). King or Cripple- this song starts our like it might be a ballad but the the chorus jumps out and bites you. Its one of my favs.Hands of Kindness, Louder than the radio, and What a friend I've found are reminisent of Cutting Edge. Where White Ribbon Day, King of Fools and History Maker are all anthums for my generation. This album is one of the best christian or secular ones out there. It has beautiful production and displays many different instruments played to their fullest range.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Who says Christians can't rock?, April 20, 2003

By	"storiteller" (Clifton Park, New York United States) - See all my reviews

I became a Christian because of music. The people who showed love to me helped, but it was the music, all-encompassing and powerful that made me feel like something important existed beyond myself. Delirious's music was a big part of that.

King of Fools is centered around the complementary themes of doubt and faith, questioning God and redemption. One of the reasons I love this band so much is the fact that they aren't always "happy-clappy" like so many other other worship bands. Their songs are sincere, thoughtful, intelligent, and most of all, powerful. They address issues that anyone with a complex faith has struggled with, and found their faith stronger because of it.

For example, take their single, Deeper, one of my favorite worship songs, and one of the first I learned. It's alternatively questioning, enthusiastic, humble and completely in love with God. From the honesty of "I want to be meeker/But have you seen this old earth? and "I want to go deeper/But is it just a stupid whim?" to "And the wonder of it all is that I'm living just to fall/More in love with you," this song encompasses so many of the emotions inherent in the contemplative Christian life. (Or at least in mine.) Plus, it rocks. Likewise, "White Ribbon Day" expresses many of the same fears, and is particuarly relevant today (although it was released in 1998). I certainly couldn't help but think of Bush's lack of doubt about God's support for the War in Iraq listening to the lyrics "How can it be that God is love?/When blood rolls down upon our land." In all, the song is an insistant call for peace and love, following Jesus's message of loving one's neighbor.

As for music, anyone who thinks Christians are all uptight Republicans who can't rock hasn't listened to Delirious?. Beyond their punkish look, the band can rock with plenty of loud guitars and passionate singing. The music is generally straightforward rock, with a few lovely songs breaking the mold. For example, "What a Friend I've Found" starts as a sparcely arranged, prayer-like song and evolves into a gorgeous gospelly song backed by guitars.

In addition to all this, Delirious? prove you can write a terrific worship song without using the words "Jesus," "Lord" or "God" (in fact, they have several). If you want a Christian band that is just a great band in general, listen to Delirious? They're my favorite Christian band, and one of my favorites overall. As for King of Fools, it's pretty amazing for a debut album.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars unashamed, October 16, 2000

By	Robert Jaeger (Temecula CA) - See all my reviews

This was the first Christian CD I ever bought that I wasn't afraid to role down the window in my car and crank up the volume.