Millencolin - Kingwood
If you are into pure American rock'n'roll and more specifically Californian rock then this band is probably made for you. Kingwood is the sixth album of this four piece coming from Sweden.
Though their sound is good and lively, there is nothing really original in their music. Some of the songs just seem to be played on exactly the same sound, only the lyrics have changed : "Cash or Clash" and "Ray"(their single) : the melodies are exactly the same, the guitar riffs as well.
Even if it is their sixth album you would have expected a more mature sound. There is no surprise in it, whether a good or a bad one, just nothing. You listen to it all along but you quickly become bored. The impression you have is that they recorded their very first album and that it has been done by a group of teenagers, but it is certainly not a professional record.
Some of the songs do stand out of the lot like "Hard Times" and "Farewell my Hell" where you feel like they have put a bit more of their personalities but not enough. It just happens to be a cliché of what American rock is.
After so many years in the industry, a band should be able to show a whole range of what it can do. Here it just does not happen. For those who discover them with this album there is no will to go any further in their investigation. They probably can do much better or be excellent on stage while touring, but the magic does not operate on this CD; there is a lack of richness and musicality.
Overall it is a good album, good tunes, good riffs but unfortunately, you can not really find their own individual sound and what is happening is that you inevitably compare them to bands like The Offspring. It is probably not a bad thing to be compared to such an important band but the aim of each band is to be recognised for its own style, isn’t it ?
If you want to make up your own mind, go and check their album on the 4th April!