After ‘Gretchen Goes To Nebraska’ was placed in my CD player many years ago I became attached to King’s X and found myself frequently citing them as an example of Christian rock that didn’t suck. In fact, they were the example of Christian Rock that didn’t suck. Songs like ‘Summerland’ and ‘Over My Head’ from the above record displayed an artistic creativity which embarrassed any and all of the genre’s meagre offerings. However, after 14 albums, King’s X have yet to dominate the niche that they have carved out for themselves- will the aptly titled ‘XV’ be the album that accomplishes this?

My initial reaction to ‘XV’ was that whilst being outwardly a strong record, something about the order of the songs didn’t seem right. The heavy, swaggering feel of songs like ‘Pray’, ‘Alright’, and ‘Go Tell Somebody’ feels diluted by the slower songs which proceed them. However, the fact that this is my only major criticism of the album says something about the vividness of the individual songs themselves.

In ‘XV’, King’s X have hit upon a ‘delicate grunge’ sound which teeters on the cusp of a Faith No More whilst replacing the latter band’s aggression with a more composed introspection. Perhaps their trademark composure is the reason why King’s X have never conquered a more youthful market, but after drinking in Ty Tabors clean guitars and vocals on tracks like ‘Repeating Myself’, it becomes obvious that this composure is essential to the band. The song has a swirling, contemplative energy about it which captivates the listener from start to finish: guitar and vocal harmonies have always been the band’s greatest strength and there is no absence of them here.

Exempting ‘Repeating Myself’, the album’s highlights come in the grittier grooves of ‘Rocket Ship’ and ‘Love and Rockets (Hells Screaming)’. ‘Rocket Ship’ deserves to be called the album’s best for its infectious verse groove alone, and could well be the song which propels the band back into the limelight.

‘XV’ is diverse, vivid, and energetic, but whether it will lead King’s X to a dominance of their niche remains to be seen. What can be said for certain is that the band have returned to the top of their game with this record.