Words by Anselm Anderson
King King ascends the throne as true blues-rockers with their fourth studio album Exile & Grace.
The Glaswegians are a rising force after an arduous touring schedule last year that took in such sites as Mumbai and a support slot to their idols, Thunder at Wembley stadium.
This album promises to deliver a bigger punch than ever before and that is no understatement. It carries all the expected stylings of classic blues-rock but with more clout than a flurry of uppercuts from a heavyweight champion.
Opener (She Don’t) Gimme No Lovin’ is receiving rave response from radio listeners. This is no surprise as the first crunch of chords resonates long in the listener’s ear before Alan Nimmo (lead vocals) purrs with delight like a Cheshire cat with a glint in his eye. Edgy rock remains the theme throughout, with strong lyrical content on the current state of the world; evident on Broken, a contemporary track that leaves you pondering the weight of global affairs.
It becomes deep with soulful ballads like Betrayed Me that oozes the raw emotion and power of Nimmo’s vocal, before reverting to more upbeat foot stompers like Long Time Running and Nobody Knows Your Name with sing-along hooks and blazing keyboards, including a nod to southern rock.
Tight drums, smooth vocals and meaty riffs topped with a polished production proves to be a winner here and you should expect no less from this band. This album deserves to be listened to with care and attention, which will be no chore for anyone.
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