I was browsing through the new releases online when I came across Outlier by Kingdom Come and thought I surely needed to take a further look. Outlier is the thirteenth studio album from Kingdom Come having existed now for over twenty years, though the band was most successful earlier in their career performing alongside some of the biggest names in rock like Van Halen and the Scorpions.
I hadn't heard Kingdom Come in so many years in fact it was the 1993 release Bad Image that was their last album which I had purchased. I really enjoyed the songs of their first four albums and never got caught up in the controversy of those Led Zeppelin comparisons that were being drawn of which some just couldn't get past.
Back to the present day and to Outlier which after sampling the impressive tune "God Does Not Sing Our Song" a song about people abusing the "name of God" to justify their actions, it totally raised my curiosity so I had no choice but to investigate further.
Kingdom Come have changed since my last taste of their material, now with a style that is more relevant to the music of today. Kingdom Come have encompassed a wider range, but the melodic side remains and the rock and blues have not been forgotten. There is no mistaking the vocals of one Lenny Wolf, and there is a component of that earlier style that I associated this band with "When Colors Break The Grey" being one such track and it's a good one. Outlier is also predominately a one man effort with the exemption being the guitar solos as Lenny handled the majority of the workload himself covering the composing, performances, production and associated duties to complete the album, and of which he has done a fine job.
Featuring a melancholic vibe "God Does Not Sing Our Song" is such a good song and unlike anything else I have heard recently in fact it's hard to recall a similar number, and this one is far removed from earlier Kingdom Come songs like "Do You Like It" or "Get It On" which impressed in a different way. That is partly what won me over hearing something different that works so well, and coupled with the variety he has achieved this is one inviting album. Also while yes it's not an overly long release but once it's over I have no hesitation replaying the tracks of Outlier. Other songs of note include "The Trap Is Alive" which brings a vibrant pulsating rocking feel to the album and "Running High Distortion" is another to top inclusion with such a captivating heavy section.
After experiencing Outlier many times now I am so glad that Lenny has kept this band going. And there is little doubt that Outlier is just the sort of album with the potential to renew other fans interest in the songs of Kingdom Come once more, 4.25 stars.
Track Listing
1) God Does Not Sing Our Song
2) Running High Distortion
3) Rough Ride Ralleye
4) Let The Silence Talk
5) Holy Curtain
6) The Trap Is Alive
7) Skip The Cover And Feel
8) Don't Want You To Wait
9) Such A Shame
10) When Colors Break The Grey
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