Customer Reviews

King James Version

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I was as floored as anyone once I gave "Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone?" a listen past "Flagpole Sitta." When your only popular single can easily be among the worst songs on your debut, the public as a whole seems to be missing out. "King James Version" hasn't even got that much respect. Nelson's lyrics come out as strong as ever in one of the best rock albums released that year, and if any band deserves more recognition its Harvey Danger. Unfortunately, this has to go in to that infamous category "Best Band You've Never Heard."

Let me just start out with a short tribute to Harvey Danger. I bought the 1st CD for the song "Flagpole Sitta" and realized that there was much more to this band. It was more than a one hit wonder. Much to my dissapointment, there wasn't another hit off of that CD. Then I heard the news that they were working on a new CD. I was overjoyed! And here it is... KING JAMES VERSION! I think this CD has the same potential as the 1st one...and then some! When I 1st put this into my CD player, I went straight to track 4 (Sad Sweetheart of the Rodeo). I love this song. It has everything I loved from the 1st album all combined into one great hit. After I listened to that a couple of times, I started from the beginning of the disc... When I hear a song for the 1st time, I listen for the music and for the beat. Then I listen again for the lyrics. Then I listen a 3rd time to put it all together as a whole. By the time I was halfway through my 2nd round with KING JAMES VERSION, I knew that this was the Harvey Danger I'd been waiting for! It has everything from fast-paced rock songs to slow-meaningful ballads. Harvey Danger shows the listener that they are still the same Harvey Danger from the 1st CD, and then they show you that they aren't afraid to go where only few bands go and try new things. I love every song on the CD, but I do have my favorites: Meetings with Remarkable Men (Show me the Hero), Sad Sweetheart of the Rodeo, You Miss the Point Completely I Get the Point Exactly, (Theme from)Carjack Fever, Pike St./Park Slope, Underground, and The Same as Being in Love. If you liked Harvey Danger's 1st CD, then don't think twice about buying this one...and if you are a 1st time listener wondering if you should give them a chance, then go buy the CD...you'll be glad you did!

After hearing Harvey Danger's debut album, Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone?, I became an immediate fan. Heading into this album, though, I had admitted to myself the brooding feeling that maybe they were a group that wouldn't be able to ever once again create such a great whole work, or if they did, just pump out albums that could be interchanged in your cd player with others of theirs at will with little to no notice of the changeover. However, with King James Version, they've proven me, and all the critics heralding them as one hit wonders, wrong. King James Version takes everything a step up from what Merrymakers was, with the band attempting much more dynamic songs and styles. From the catchy first single Sad Sweetheart Of The Rodeo to the more subdued, stunning chords of Underground and Loyalty Bldg., Harvey Danger prove they're a band that should definitely escape the label of oneders. The album shows just what a band can do to both keep the parts of their style from who they formerly are, and also mix in some new to create great music. The only small downside to the cd is the occasional lyric by lead vocalist Sean Nelson which may make you cringe ("I have a stinger, I am a honeybee..." Nelson sings on Authenticity, the album's most infecteous track), but he too escapes these, at times crafting some of the best lyrics in modern-day alt rock. The songs are quite different than most out there in that each and every one flowing seems to contain a single small story with a beginning middle and end, conveying the point well and not just pining about love for 3 1/2 minutes. King James Version has the feel of a concept album, yet with none of the pretentiousness and stupidity that often consumes them (See: Styx), and that in itself is amazing. Overall, King James Version is a blueprint of how to do a followup right, and well worth your money and time.

Oh man, I can't believe how overlooked this album got. Little publicity, and not really a critical hit, this album is still very great, as it shows the band expanding what they do. This album has so much variety, I can't believe some write it off as boring. And that's what I thought of Where Have All The Merrymakers' Gone? at my first listen. Although I like it now. However, this is one of my all-time favorites, because it keeps depth, and has some pleasant surprises. However, go to your used bin or pawn shop if you must to get this.

Meetings With Remarkable Men: This has things at its own pace, and the lyrics are real clever here. They meet Jesus Christ in a brunch, just before He dies for their sins, later with the avatar who says it's clear he's never got over Morrissey (how can you hate that?), then later to KIP WINGER! That's the surprises.

Humility On Parade: Lyrics continue to impress, and it's a standard HD track. Actually, it's my least favorite on here, despite the fact that I like it a lot, and the track is just a bit too consistent for me.

Why I'm Lonely: This one's excellent. Sean kind of sings in a whiny voice, but it gets better as it goes on, and you'll just have to listen 'cuz you'll eventually be hooked. I've always loved it.

Sad Sweetheart of the Rodeo: One of my least favorites, but still excellent. It is very simple, although it's got more musical growth than one might expect. It still has clever lyrics, including, "The Marlboro Man died of cancer. And he wasn't a rocket scientist when he was healthy".. You'll sing along with the chorus, as well as the song's first line, "not another existential cowboy"

Another one that's great if you give time is "You Miss The Point Completely I Get The Point Exactly", a song that I can't say too much about. While it's one of my least favorite tracks here, that doesn't say much, because everything here is great. The guitars sound familiar with most other modern rock. Listen to it because it flows well with "Francais interlude", a dream interlude that appears as the same track number as its predecessor song itself!

Then, it gets to the excellent, "Authenticity". It is the catchiest song on here, and sounds a bit like "Sad Sweetheart of the Rodeo". However, this is shorter, and Sean Nelson's vocals sort of distinct the two songs, and there isn't really organ use on this one.

The fun doesn't stop just there. You get to "(theme from) Carjack Fever", which is a song that is for those who like songs that are just crazy. This one has some pretty stream-of-conscienceness lyrics in the car metaphor, it's addictive. Sean Nelson sounds excited when he yells on this. The coolest part though is the intro.

It goes from that insanity to the lovely piano ballad, the sensitive "Pike St./Park Slope", which is in the style of Ben Folds. It reveals a conversation with a girl, and features excellent lines such as "when I like something, it's an opinion, when you like something, it's a manifesto." That strong song follows with the line, "pomposity is when you think you're right, arrogance is when you know." I completely disagree with the Amazon.com editorial review on this one. Just listen to Jeff Linn's excellent use of the violin here!

This Is The Thrilling Conversation You've Been Waiting For: This pokes fun at the political-correctness of speech, and is just as witty and clever as any other track on here. It's a pretty good song, and I think it'll keep you listening on.

It then follows with the strong six-minute "Loyalty Bldg", which doesn't end up as boring because there's enough edge in that one.

Then you get into a cover of This Busy Monster's "Underground", but I can't compare that with the original since I haven't heard it, but it's edgy enough, and it starts out pretty cool as well.

Expanding their musical horizon doesn't end until the album ends. And that is with the excellent "The Same As Being In Love", which you'll repeat over and over again. It's as melodic as the other songs on here, as well as featuring insturments like banjo and triangle, which only help sharpen and expand the sound of the album. A great way to close things.

Also, you should check out the "footnotes" on the lyric booklet, which are pretty funny. Some stuff doesn't make a lot of sense with where they're included, including stuff such as "list of authors cited". Also, they are all good at what they play, and Sean Nelson sounds like a cross between Morrissey and Frank Black, with a menacing vocal range like that.
It's a lot better than the first one in my opinion, although you should buy it because it's got "Problems And Bigger Ones", and is good as well. I bet with Sean's The Long Winters coming along, indie people are biting they're tongues for ignoring this. Buy this if you like any alt-rock.

More than catchy music, not just about being fun, KJV displays genius in every song. It's not for one looking for a mainstream, mass-produced sound. Unpredictable, yet extremely enjoyable, this album is one of the few you won't skip around on.
It might take one or two listens to get used to Nelson's off-kilter vocals. But give it a chance. The band's grooving bass and moving melodies will leave you begging for more. The lyrics aren't afraid of offending somebody; social commentary is punctuated by humorous and ironic statements while the songs experiment with different characters and varying points of view. A well-planned, well-produced album without any "filler."

I'm not easily impressed by up and comer bands. They tend to have their 15 minutes and then fade quietly away, and they never have anything meaningful to say in the first place. It took me a fair while to come around to Harvey Danger. Their first CD had a couple of killer songs and some okay ones. It wasn't a debut to get excited about but it did have me anticipating what their next would be like.

Here is what I think: Harvey Danger is quietly one of the best pop-rock bands at the moment. 'King James Version' is a winning follow-up and it's a much more eclectic album. The clever and catchy first single, 'Sad Sweetheart of the radio' takes a dig at the Marlboro Man. 'Authenticity' sounds like a potential single, along with about half a dozen tunes here. It's 'Theme from Carjack Fever' and 'Loyalty Blg' that feature among my personal faves. Not all the songs are great but they hold together well as an album.

It would be a shame to see this group slink into obscurity like another Seattle pop outfit, the Posies. This is a band with plenty of talent. Harvey Danger's lead man Sean Nelson has a voice that seems to suit the quirky lyric. Maybe, they're TOO literate; unlike Fountains of Wayne who seem to go for that laugh out aloud, Harevy Danger seem more intent on the sly, all-knowing smirk. Still, this is a great record. I certainly wasn't struck by it the first time but everything falls into place by the second listen. Top stuff.

When i picked up harvey dangers first cd for flagpole sitta, i was confused by the rest of the cd and past them off as a one hit wonder. upon picking it up again about a month later i fell in love with it. every song amazed me and i learned most of the words. So when i heard that the new cd, King James Version, was coming out i rushed to the store and got a copy before the clerk had even taken them out of the box. Upon first listening to the new cd i was thrown due to the fact that the sound was somewhat different then the first one and i wondered if harvey danger had failed to live up to my own personal hype. I then picked up the lyrics in the cd case and read the first part of the first song and instantly put the cd back in. Some may find what the singer said offensive but i found it to be a strange and humorous insight into the human nature. Jesus left to die to save this man and all he was concerned about was the money for the check. After hearing this i gave the album a full second listening and fell in love with it. though it's different, it's still great and it's still harvey danger. Both cd's are excellent and will always be favorites of mine. songs that make you think and some that make you sing along. whatever you're looking for harvey danger's got it. don't pass these guys by.

"King James Version" was a more than welcome addition to my collection when I bought it, the day after it was released. At the first listen of the CD, you find it to be catchy, and groovy, with a few moody parts in between. After about five listens, you begin to really understand the depth of the songs. After a tenth listen, you're ready to worship the genius of Harvey Danger.

Today, bands (i.e. Limp Bizkit, Creed, Backstreet Boys, etc.) seem to have lost touch with dignity and style in their music. The banality of violently angst-filled lyrics and choreographable tunes plague the airwaves, and one becomes desensitized to the lack of depth to the so-called 'emotion' of modern rock. So It comes as a breath of fresh air to hear a singer who don't have to scream and whine, or repeat the same five notes from all their songs to convey their thoughts. It's equally relieving to hear bands who can play more than 3 chords, and add more instruments to their sound than just sampled music and turntable scratches. To be able to rock out, or even make a pop song, slamming on instruments with the volume pumped or using trite lyrics aren't necessary. Take a gander at songs like "Authenticity" and "Park Street/Park Slope" to hear some of the best single-worthy tunes that could be on the radio right now, if the stations weren't congested with rap/metal and boy bands.

"King James Version" was the first CD I'd bought in at least 2 years in which every song became a new favorite. Tired of listening to the crap on the radio? Tell your local DJs to play the latest single form Harvey Danger, "Authenticity." Make them put it on regular rotation. This is a band that does not deserve to go down in history as a One-Hit-Wonder.

This is one of the greatest, but most under appreciated album of the 2000s. Definitely worth a listen, it's a lot more polished than their first record, and the lyrics are great. If you enjoy good, clever, rock music, you will most definitely enjoy this record.

We waited too long for this album and unfortunately it isn't as good as the first one. Perhaps if it had come out first with nothing to compair it to it would be better. My favorite is "Pike St/Park Slope" which is absolutely beautiful. But there are no songs that compair with "Carlotta Valdez," "Wolly Muffler," and "Problems and Bigger Ones." It's not a bad album and for the true Harvey Danger fan, I would say - go ahead and buy it, but don't expect too much. If you liked "Sad Sweetheart of the Rodeo," go buy the first album!