Customer Reviews

Kingdom of Xii

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

 

 

Though I wish I had waited until Amazon offered this for sale, instead of paying such a high price as I did for an import, the extra money spent was well worth it. This third offering from the "new" Molly Hatchet is an excellent addition to their growing discography, and any fan (old or new) should definitely add it their collection.

Every song is another worthy entry in their canon, but personal favorites on this disc include - "White Lightning," "Kickstart To Freedom," and their cover of the Rolling Stones tune "Tumbling Dice." Another acoustic number, this time out consisting of "Edge Of Sundown" (found either on The Danny Joe Brown Band 1981 LP or Molly Hatchet's own 1985 Double Trouble - Live) closes the set.

However, not all is calm for me on this release. Drummer Mac Crawford has left the band, and has been replaced by Sean Shannon. Though Shannon's work is very competent, I must admit to missing Crawford. I viewed him as the best drummer the band had ever employed, and wish him well in his endeavors. Charlie Daniels has been brought aboard to add fiddle fire to two tracks ("Gypsy Trail" and "Angel In Dixie"), and for some reason, though I'm a fan of Daniels work, wish he had been left off the final release. Finally, before I really start nitpicking (lol), I want to throw a barb at vocalist Phil McCormack. I've been very pleased with his work up and through this album, but finally began to notice some cracks in the foundation. A dead-ringer for original vocalist Danny Joe Brown, McCormack initially started off as just one helluva replacement (see 1996's "Devil's Canyon"); but on this album sounds to me as if he's actually attempting to sound like Brown. Either way, I'm really cutting my complaints to the bone because, let's face it, there really isn't much to complain about concerning "Kingdom Of XII." You'll see once you give it a listen.

Finally, a friend of my mine from London, England had the opportunity to see Molly Hatchet kick off their European tour the other night jamming at the famed Astoria. Having seen Monster Magnet only the previous night, my friend lost no words in explaining there was no comparison between the two. Molly Hatchet had earned every cent of his money, leaving him wanting more.

Let's hope they get stateside soon!

But, this cd rocks! And so does the "new" Molly Hatchet! I've been a MH fan since their first "8 track" and to be honest, I hadn't bought any of their newer stuff, I took a chance on KINGDOM, and I'm happy I did! It's a damn good cd! Classic rock fans, do yourself a favor, and pick up a copy.

Being able to help define a particular genre of music usually means that a new release from that band is pretty important. Molly Hatchet, along with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackfoot, and others, help define what is called Southern Rock.

Their latest release, entitled 'Kingdom of XII' holds up their reputation as having a southern rock sound. Hatchet has always been a bit harder edged than some of the other Southern Rock bands, and this album holds true to that for the most part.

Stand-out tracks are the nearly 8 minute 'One Last Ride' and a cover of the Rolling Stones 'Tumbling Dice.' If you like Southern Rcok, check this one out!

The current Molly Hatchet line-up does not include any of the original members of band. However, as long as guitarist Bobby Ingram remains on board, especially with longtime keyboard player John Galvin and excellent lead vocalist Phil McCormack, the Molly Hatchet legacy will continue untarnished.

Many of the "classic-rock" bands that record new music are unable to capture the magic that brought them their original appeal. This isn't the case with "Kingdom of XII" - the Hatchet sound hasn't changed much since the mid-70s and the formula isn't damaged here. That said, the new material is compelling enough to warrent a purchase of the CD. "One Last Ride" is a true standout track.

God Bless Danny Joe Brown, Hatchet's original vocalist who is now in a difficult battle with diabetes. But also be thankful that Bobby Ingram has had the drive to keep Molly Hatchet a vital band.

If you have the chance to see the current line-up on tour, don't miss out. These guys give all they have, especially Phil McCormack. Their performance of "Dreams I'll Never See" is worth a $25 ticket.

Being able to help define a particular genre of music usually means that a new release from that band is pretty important. Molly Hatchet, along with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackfoot, and others, help define what is called Southern Rock. Their latest release, entitled 'Kingdom of XII' holds up their reputation as having a southern rock sound. Hatchet has always been a bit harder edged than some of the other Southern Rock bands, and this album holds true to that for the most part.

This lineup up is really the 'new' Molly Hatchet because it doesn't contain any original members. But, the new lineup has captured the original Hatchet sound, hard-rocking songs, upbeat, with melodious guitar. My only complaint is the two songs that feature Charlie Daniels, both sound way to country for a Molly Hatchet album and could have been left off.

Stand-out tracks are the nearly 8 minute 'One Last Ride' and a cover of the Rolling Stones 'Tumbling Dice.' If you like Southern Rcok, check this one out!

If you like Southern Rock, you'd like this one. It has some great new songs that any fan of the genre would like. Special guest Charlie Daniels on the song "Gypsy Trail".

KINGDOM OF XII once again features none of the original members, but the current band is still filled with great players. There are some great songs on here, like the Vietnam veteran tribute "Heart Of The USA", the outlaw anthem "One Last Ride", the driving "Kickstart To Freedom", and a few others. There's a bit of filler on here, but the great tracks are so good that this album gets 5 stars.

You want Molly Hatchet? Then look no further. Make no mistake about it, this is Molly Hatchet in music and in spirit. The music speaks for itself. Well crafted songs soaked in whiskey rock 'n roll. And of course those long blazing pentatonic guitar solos. Phil Mccormack does a terrific job stepping into DJB's big shoes. If you're looking to be slugged in the guitar by some good 'ol southern fried rock then check into this latest album.

By now it's no surprise that the lineup of players has changed but the new blood has brought something fresh to southern rock. Its heavier but still has the Hatchet flavor. The new approach is a natural evolution of the southern rock sound. Get it, you won't be disappointed!

Though I've owned this title for quite a while, my recent review of Hachet's latest release, Justice, spurred me on to review this superior album as well. seemingly every reviewer thus far has pointed out that this is indeed NOT the "original" line-up of Molly Hatchet, you know--the line-up that lasted for all of 2 records, the self -titled first album and Flirtin' with Disaster. Two phenomenal records that I gave 5 stars to. But the "original" line-up argument is lame considering all the line-up changes this band has seen over the years, beginning with their third record. But yes, having NO original members whatsoever? Yeah that's kind of strange, Molly Hatchet seems to be a kind of "family name" that lives on, regardless of the line-up. as of this writing, founding member Dave Hlubeck is back with the band, so that should help quiet most naysayers.

Now on to the music at hand, Kingdom of XII is a great album, one of the best from this current "new" Hatchet, right up there with Devil's Canyon. As far as comparing the "new" Hatchet's releases to the older, classic material, I don't think that's fair, they're basically two different bands. They have many similarities in style and attitude, but how do you compare a 2001 release by this band to a 1978-79 release by a totally different band?

This record takes the original idea of Hard Southern fried rock and brings it to 2001. This IS a hard rock/ metal tinged album, made by Southerners, complete with slide guitar, fiddle (courtesy of Charlie Daniels), heavy drums, guitar jams and rough vocals. It amused me when another reviewer seemed to be surprised that Hatchet played Hard rock, they always have!

Not every track is heavy though, there is the seemingly mandatory ballad (track 5)a very Country/folksy tune (track9--with C. Daniels) and another acoustic re-make, this time of a Danny Joe Brown Band song, Edge of Sundown.

There are 2 tracks, that if removed, would have made a very near perfect album. The Rolling Stones cover, Tumbling Dice, is needless and horrific. Having never understood the hype over the Stones, I find Moly Hatchet--a superior band, covering the Stones, a tragedy. If they absolutely HAD to cover the Stones, why not Sympathy for the Devil?

The next track I would have removed immediately, if not sooner, is the ballad, track 5--Turn my Back on Yesterday. Generally speaking, ballads from rock bands suck. Only a handful are even palatable.

The acoustic re-make of Edge of Sundown was needless, but still entertaining. It was done well by a talented band, but why? When I think Molly Hatchet I think amps, electricity, power, loudness, guitar solos. Not unplugged sets. Oh well, I'm sure others have differing opinions.

The best tracks? That would be the rest of them.
Track 1 is an excellant opener, a very cool song.
Track 2 is a little more down-south, deep-fried rock.
Track 3, Last Ride is the highlight of the entire album, this song will smoke you, this is the epic, guitar slinging song of the album.
Track 4 is a little weaker than than the other rockers, but still OK.
Track 6, Gypsy Trail features Charlie Daniels and is another deep-fried rocker.
Track 7, White Lightning is a very cool, Dukes of Hazzard tune.
Track 10, is also a very cool rocker, one of my favs.
Track 11, Dreams of life, is another epic tune, very similar in style and substance to The Journey on the Devil's Canyon album. Very cool, but kind of cliche too.

This album is highly recomended to anyone who likes hard southern rock, it's one of the better ones in the Hatchet catalogue. Better than a lot of southern rock actually.