The Bigger Picture: 4th Album Pre-Production
Artist: King’s X 
Label: Molken Music 
Length: 10/39:35

A few things become evident upon hearing the demo versions of the self-titled King’s X album.  One is that producer Sam Taylor was given way too much credit for the band’s early success – these songs are almost finished products.  Another is that bands can sometimes realize when something isn’t working, and then recraft a song into something amazing (“Not Just for the Dead”).

Two songs are missing from this era: “What I Know About Love” and the bonus track “Junior’s Gone Wild” are absent from the disc.  What is different from the released versions?  “Prisoner” omits the guitar solo, and the harmonies on “Lost in Germany” have nothing to do with the final product.  “The Big Picture” is the standout, showing the song needed little change from beginning to end.  “Chariot Song” and “Ooh Song” are once again revealed to be criminally underrated.

I’m one of the rare King’s X fans that considers their fourth album to be their best (by a small margin over Faith Hope Love, Dogman, and Gretchen Goes to Nebraska.)  That said, this disc needs more.  Some commentary by the band members would have been a welcome addition, and there are no outtakes here – did every song they wrote make the cut?

For fans and completists, it’s a must have.  For the casual fan, I recommend the latest Molken release: the June 6, 1992 concert from the Empire Club in Cleveland.  I’ve had the bootleg for years, and cannot wait to hear it remastered – it’s one of the top ten shows that have come to light from King’s X.

Brian A. Smith
2 January 2010