Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Sometimes it seems that you can come across a band that you instantly fall for when you weren’t even looking. As when you stop looking for that one special person and just concentrate on the small things that make you happy and take life on a day to day basis, out of nowhere they come and take root in your life. Such is the effect of Glasgow band King King and their Blues styled rock and their album Standing In The Shadows on the heart that for a while you cannot think of anything better to listen to every night.
Of course the cold light of day can pour cold water direct from Alaska over such romances but even after a few listens, day and night the fact remains that Alan Nimmo, Lindsay Coulson, Wayne Proctor and Bennett Holland stand tall, the passion of the blue and white of Scotland behind them and ready to break your heart whilst you whimper for more.
Standing In The Shadows doesn’t just pay homage to some of the great Blues sounds of old, it mixes the feel of Joanne Taylor Shaw and Joe Bonamassa in a way that is a delight whilst adding that deft richness of spirit that you would in some of Scotland’s greatest rock exports. Not only is Alan Nimmo’s lead guitar a superb listen but the quality of his voice fences in with great care the other musicians, especially Wayne Proctor’s excellent percussion work and offers everything on a plate to the listener to savour and taste.
From the opening kick of More Than I Can Take, this Glasgow band take you on a journey down a path that you weren’t ready for, that may have been un-signposted and forgotten by all but few and delivers you into a realm where tracks such as the admirable A Long History of Love, the sensational What Am I Supposed To Do and the intense gorgeousness of Coming Home (Rest Your Eyes) all play their part in keeping you company along the way.
Sometimes an album comes along and takes you by surprise and when it’s done leaves you breathless and addicted for more, Standing In The Shadows feeds that musical addiction with a smile and manly hug, knowing full well you will be back for more.
Ian D. Hall