Customer Reviews

Kingdom of Welcome Addiction

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I actually didn't love this album the first time I heard it-- and that's coming from a loyal Sneaker Pimps fan, and from someone who instantly fell in love with both of his previous IAMX albums. I was disappointed that this album didn't have any driving dance beats, like I'd heard on tracks like "Kiss & Swallow" and "Nightlife".

I've been listening to this album on repeat for a few days, though, and each time, it gets ten times better. Chris's voice is at its best in this album, and the songs are more memorable than they have ever been. This album is more mature, more epic, and is produced perfectly.

Corner's incorporation of 3/4 time waltzes, hauntingly pretty piano, and soaring vocals set him apart from other electro-rock, dark wave acts.

For anyone into this style of music, Kingdom of Welcome Addiction should not be missed!

The first thing I noticed about this album is that there are no real dancy tracks like Kiss & Swallow or Nightlife. This is a minor complaint however, as Chris Corner has made a beautiful mid-tempo record filled with lush ballads. Highlights include I'm Terrified, with its big bold chorus, The Tear Garden, and My Secret Friend (duet with Imogen Heap). While it would have been nice to have some faster or more agressive tracks, it is obvious that wasnt the intent for this record. Kingdom of Welcome Addiction plays out like a melancholic cabaret waltz. The album has a timeless feel.

This record leaked long before its release so lets show Chris Corner that we appreciate the honesty and quality he puts into IAMX by purchasing this record. It is a fine album. I cant say its better than The Alternative because it is just a very different album. This is an album to be enjoyed when you arent in the mood to dance like a fiend.

Enjoy

The third IAMX album, "Kingdom of Welcome Addiction" is his best album yet. I didnt think there was anyway to top "The Alternative"......but Chris Corner delivered and raised the bars once more :)


With each album it seems that IAMX matures in terms of sound, lyrics and vocal delivery. Its edgy, raw, dark, catchy, & very well produced. Its surely to send chills up your spine.

One of the years best !

Frankly, I was disappointed in the first two IAMX releases. I found them often repetitive and uncreative, especially in the context of compariing them to Corner's previous work with Sneaker Pimps. To my ears, the sounds and programming were compelling to a point, but for the most part, the songs just weren't there. This album, though, is where Chris melds the songwriting with the technique, and produces something akin to the Pimps' "Bloodsport" album. Amazingly, everything you hear on the album (outside of Imogen Heap's vocals on one song) was played and produced entirely by Chris Corner. Perhaps that's where I would have preferred a bit of outside assistance - nobody is a master of ALL instruments - but still, an excellent album, minus a few repetitive moments on songs like the lead track Nature of Inviting. And if you only know Chris Corner from the Pimps massive debut album "Becoming X", you will find this a pretty different affair, both musically, and vocally (Corner was not singing on that album). Overall, one of the best CDs I've heard this year - a pop/alternative/New Wave amalgam that's entirely captivating from start to finish.

A gorgeous new release from IAMX. Thought provoking, sexual, bold, fierce, intelligent, and darkly beautiful. It captures your mind and my only wish is that it were longer than 11 tracks. If your a fan, I'm sure you won't be let down.

the passion put into his music is just amazing. he knows where his vice belongs and where the music blends beautifully with his voice he is a genius!!!

Personally, I find it fairly difficult to compare Kingdom of Welcome Addiction with IAMX's previous effort, The Alternative. The latter was stuffed to the rafters with dark, throbbing dance hits while his new album takes a more subdued tone overall. Fans of IAMX's previous work might be disappointed by this new direction, but will likely be satisfied by tracks like Think of England and My Secret Friend. That being said, the other tracks do bear repeat listening, and I've found that they become better and better with each perusal. I would highly recommend this album to fans and non-fans alike, although I would suggest it as a companion to The Alternative for the full IAMX experience.

Es indescriptible la sensación de cuando escuchar por primera vez un álbum, hace detener cualquier cosa que uno este haciendo. Cuando genera una compulsión inmediata de salir a buscar reviews de otras personas, expertas o no, que tienen que estar igual de sorprendidos a uno.
En estos tiempos rápidos es imposible seguirle el paso a todo el mundo, y estar al día en los sonidos y géneros que me interesan, pero son estos trabajos como el de Chris Corner en "Kingdom of Welcome Addiction" los que detonan una satisfacción indescriptible; una tranquilidad de pensar que así no se tenga toda la música existente, sí se escucha la talentosa y relevante.
Dejo que otros reviews describan canción por canción, y qué sonidos son recurrentes y detalles son importantes.
Yo me quedo con la emoción de un IAMX que me impide parar de mover la cabeza, que me hace pensar insuficiente las 5 estrellas que le pongo en mi iTunes, y me hace agradecer que al menos exista una canción floja en el álbum (An I For An I), para quitarme la responsabilidad de decirle "perfecto".

This is the best of the 3 that Chris Corner has out. It's awesome. Every song is different from the last and the album itself is hauntingly beautiful.

Personal favorites are #'s
2
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5
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11

Even if you are new to IAMX..... this would be the album to choose out of the three for sure.

Took me quite a while to get into this album, not because it isn't good, but because it isn't what I was hoping for.
It's very refined, a work of art for sure. Beautiful, sad. However, I'm a sucker for the sassy, dancey, gratuitous electro that permeated 'Kiss + Swallow' and 'The Alternative' - so it was a bit of a let down to get none of that in this recording.
I love IAMX, and always will. I applaud the extent of his vision and the depth of this album, and recommend anyone picking it up and giving it a listen. If you are shallow like me, though, and expect an album laden with club mixes and arse-shaking basslines....be forewarned that you won't find them here. Still worth every penny, though!