Kingston Wall Albums (4)
What The Critics Say
By the time of III Tri-Logy, Kingston Wall sounded like it was trying to break out of the hard rock mold a little. The psychedelic acid guitar was still there, but so were synthesizer and drum machines. The songs are based on Walli's interest in The Bock Saga (also known as Vainamoinen mythology) which purports to demonstrate the common origin of linguistics, mythologies, philosophies, and religions from throughout the world, based on a system of sound instead of the written word. The album's dealing with this concept is murky at best and, though not a terrible album musically, there are no really memorable songs, either. The reissue bonus disc is interesting: a live version of Hendrix's "Third Stone From the Sun" and the band's own "Skies Are Open," plus "Have You Seen the Pygmi-mies" from the Stuldt Hajt single. ~ Rob Caldwell, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
II was the album where Kingston Wall most successfully merged their hard rock, progressive, psychedelic, and Middle Eastern sounds. Much of this owes to the bandmembers' instrumental interplay, which is given freer rein and allowed to stretch out more than on their other two albums. Ranging from the soaring guitar (acoustic and electric) and violin piece "Istwan" to the Zeppelin-esque blues of "And It's All Happening" and "Shine on Me," to the high octane jamming of "Palekastro," the stylistic palette is varied. Unfortunately, this variation also accounts for the one downright bad song, "Love Tonight" (think "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?"-era Rod Stewart or bad Scorpions). On the other hand, Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" is actually a somewhat successful merging of disco and hard rock. The reissue bonus disc is composed of "Between the Trees" and "She's So Fine," originally from the "We Cannot Move" single, plus a live track, "Can't Get Through." ~ Rob Caldwell, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Leading off with the heavy, acid guitar-drenched "With My Mind," Kingston Wall starts things off in a stirring fashion. Unfortunately, the rest of the album, while it does have its moments, doesn't quite live up to the promise of this track. The band is very tight and intense in songs such as "I'm Not the One," but the chanted "I'm not the one to blame/Not the one to blame!" makes it a little hard to take the track seriously. Similarly, the cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Fire" is sung with such over-the-top exuberance, that it makes it a little funny (assumingly unintentional). Throughout the album, though, the musicianship is stellar, as evidenced on "Nepal" (a staple of their live shows). This first album would be the band's rawest. The reissue with bonus disc includes a live show from 1991, with mostly cover songs, some expected ("Purple Haze"), some unexpected ("Call Me the Breeze," "Rocky Raccoon"). ~ Rob Caldwell, All Music Guide
