Customer Reviews

King of the Road

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This cd is exacty what I needed. Music is at a standstill right now with all of the rap metal acts out there. It's nice to hear something different. Granted this sounds like riffs from the 70's but I like it. I saw them open for Sevendust and P.O.D. the other night and as far as I am concerned they blew both of those bands off of the stage. Get this if you are into heavy music and want to try something different. I think that you will pleasantly surprised.

The few people that I have run across that do not like Fu Manchu in my opinion just don't get it. Fu Manchu is considered "stoner rock", which is a revival of the roots of Heavy Metal from the 1970's. Perhaps as a backlash against the hair-metal of the 80's and the hip-hop rap metal of the 90's and beyond. So Nu Metal fans should probably avoid Fu.

While most bands of the stoner rock genre draw their inspiration from bands like Black Sabbath or Kyuss, Fu Manchu tend to create their own vision of the 70's in metal form. Songs are about custom vans, muscle cars, skateboards, motorcycles, etc. Their music is chock full of 70's era references. But most of all it is done with a laid back cool overtone that brings it all together. It's like seeing a vintage muscle car, standing back, admiring it, and saying 'hell yeah'. You don't have to shout it, because you didn't have say anything anyway. That's Fu.

The song 'Boogie Van' is the optimy of the Fu vision. It's a song reminiscent of the custom vans of the 70's. It starts out metal with the aforementioned laid back cool. It is a solid song and a personal favorite.

Mind you this is not some drone metal when I say laid back. Songs like 'Drive', and 'Hell On Wheels' pack in the energy. I personally suggest that you not drive listening to either. And especially not 'King of the Road'.

The album finishes off with the cover of Devo's 'Freedom Of Choice'. While you may think they should cover Foghat instead, they pull it off and make it their own.

Again, this is a good introduction to Fu Manchu. Their newer music lays off the 70's stuff and Scott's laid back cool vocals a bit. The older stuff is a bit less polished, but in good way. 'King Of The Road' is right in the middle. A good intro in my opinion.

This is band is unique. With the 70's theme, you may be quick to call them retro or derivative. However, nobody did this back then and only Fu is does it now. Also don't expect a Sabbath, Kyuss clone either. Fu is kinda their own thing.

And if you know what cool is, you'll get and get it. And I hope you do.

Point blank-Anyone who says this album ... or isn't creative enough, or sounds like a throwback to the 70's or whatever...needs to get a grip. This album is one of the best rock records made in the last 20 years. It's pure, straight forward, put it in the CD player and drive until it's over rock music....then do it again. From the first track until the finale' "Freedom of Choice" ( a Devo cover), you CANNOT lose buying this album. I read some reviews where people were complaining about the lyrics, or how all the songs sound the same, or blah, blah ,blah...whatever. PEOPLE...this ain't Radiohead. If you want some experimental diversity...yeah, you might need to go elsewhere. But if you like fuzzy, thick riffage that grooves like you would not believe, this is without a doubt the next record you should buy. I also recommend Queens of the Stone Age if you like Fu Manchu, but you would prefer some deeper, tripier lyrics. The Fu however is good old fashioned Southern California music with lyrics about Skatin' Surfin' and Drivin'. I personally think this and "The Action is Go" are their best efforts. "California Crossing" is a good record, but it doesn't quite have the energy as "King". Immediately purchase "King of the Road"-this is a can't lose record buying experience. (By the way, they have a live album coming out in July 2003 "Go for it-Live"...so if you dig the Fu..get ready.)

this album caught me off guard on the first song. its the same ol fumanchu but that opening riff to hell on wheels is the riff that killed elvis. possibly the coolest riff ever made.besides gardenia by kyuss. the thing that makes this album so great tho is brant bjorks god like drumming. blue tile feaver is a cool song that starts off kinda slow for fu standards, but starts rocking real hard not to far onto the song. breathing fire is pure fury. my advice buy this album then go on a trip this is one of the best driving albums ever made.

Wow! What a cd! This thing rocks! It's a great throwback to the days of vans, bell-bottoms, and long hair. You almost need to be in a jacked-up Camaro with an 8 track to really appreciate this cd. This is pure no bs pedal to the metal rock and roll. Very Heavy and it never lets up. If you like brutal and simplistic rock and roll this is the cd for you. Just buy it ok?

Instead of talking about every song, I'll jsut say this--this CD is awesome, and is probably Fu Manchu's second or third best album, depending on which style you like; the old Fu Manchu with Eddie and Ruben ('91-'96), or the new Fu Manchu with Brant and Bob ('97-'04).

With "King of the Road," Fu Manchu dives in completely and gives itself totally to the new sound for the first time. Gone are the dark, sludgy sounds we heard as recently as "Grendel" and "Anodizer" on the last album, and the same sound which permeated "In Search of" and "Daredevil." Now, we get pure rock songs, with that signature FU wall of power chord pounding guitars, like "Blue Tile Fever," "Hell on Wheels," "Over the Edge" and "Boogie Van." These are the best songs on the CD, in my opinion, but truly every song on this disc is catchy, loud, and satisfying. They can be compared roughly to earlier songs "Urethane," "Mongoose (demo version)," "Action is Go," and "Hogwash."

They've dropped the sludgy sound. It still sounds like they've got 22 guitar players, they've just dropped the dark riffs. If you're cool with that, Fu is cool with you, I guess.

A tremendous CD by the heaviest band on earth. From start to finish this CD rocks. The production is first class, the riffs are classic, Fu Manchu just gets better and better. I bought this when it first came out and listened to it non stop for about 2 months then went back to the older Fu, after about a year I just listened to this again and I can't believe how good it is. Great for listening to while cruising. Can't wait for California Crossing !!

When I first purchased this CD I brought it home and cranked it up on my home stereo, I was a little disapointed. But I needed to run to the store to buy some stuff so I brought it along with me, big difference. This definatly needs to be played in your car, van, el camino, whatever and played loud. I only wish I owned a camaro. These guys know how to make rock that doesn't take itself too seriously and, at the same time, isn't some parody of itself. An album for any intelligent music listener who wants something that would appeal to their less than intelligent side.

Ditch all the Korn and Limp Biscuit garbage jokers, you hit the jackpot!

If you dig heavy rock of the late 70's; the hard semi-psychadelic rumblings from So Cal, then you don't get any better then Fu Manchu.

I bought this CD off a whim and never regretted it. Bought Daredevil soon after. This band rulz-it and is definatly beyound underated.

If you dig 70's style heavy rock, you better get this! And after you buy all three disks you better get The Queens of the Stone Age. Best music you will make!

Straight up rock and roll. Not too soft, not too metal, but just enough crunch and plenty of good ole-fashioned stoner-rock straight ahead riffs. Creativity, style, attitude, these guys have it all. I count at least 5 EXCELLENT songs on this one CD. I mean TOTALLY EXCELLENT. Another 5 very good songs. I mean, come on, what more can you ask for on one CD? This might be their best CD, or close to "In Search Of", "Action is Go", but ahead of "California Crossing". Plus check out the extra folders on the CD (use your PC), there's extra songs and 2 movies on it too.