I think that people would be stupid to pass up owning the CD.
author: Christopher Wadkins
I liked all that I heard. I think that people would be stupid to pass up owning the CD. Robert Lee King has a touch with his music that the music industry has lost. His music is raw and from the heart. It is honest. I think if people will just give it a chance, they will be pleasantly surprized.
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Unknown rocker opens his proverbial diary with amateur charm.
author: Kristen Brown
Not a whole lot is known about Robert Lee King. He hails from Visalia, California, and his first album was released what seems to be relatively quietly in March of 2004. His second and most recent, Broken Things, has proven to be a very interesting undertaking. The eleven-track LP is pretty much a grab bag of various influences: everything from blues, to 70s rock and 80s metal. In the interest of pure honesty and artistic integrity—in truth, it’s a very amateur album. While Robert Lee King’s guitar work is no doubt widely influenced and experienced, it’s pretty overpowering at times.
In “The War Wages On”, the heavy 80s metal riffs push through at blinding speed and stifling intensity, which is a bit much for King’s quieter vocals (which have apparently been compared to Bowie and Jon Bon Jovi, although I hear a distinct air of Clapton). However, in other songs, like the sweet and 70s styled “Jaimie”, and the slow and rolling “Working Man Blues”, he seems to have toned it down a bit to create a smoother match and some all-around very good songs. And while he may not have yet mastered the art completely as of yet, Robert Lee King proves himself to be a successful songwriter, with favorites like the instrumental “Lazy Interlude” and the rolling, 70s rock sound of “My Name is Fear”.
While the execution might not be perfect (which could be poor recording quality, but it’s up for debate), it by no means brings down the album completely. King’s seemingly private and personal approach to the album gives it an intriguing sound and a mysterious vibe. Nothing about the album seems even the least bit commercialized. There’s no fancy production, and no over-simplistic, ultra dramatic delivery—it’s just bare bones. Hell, even his website is simple and no-frills. He doesn’t have professional advertising, t-shirts, or a Myspace. Call me crazy, but it’s charming and refreshing.
The album gives the impression that Robert Lee King isn’t making music for anyone but himself, and that that’s the way he’d prefer it. Broken Things has the honesty and personality of something found hidden in your uncle’s attic—the personal accomplishments that remained secret but shouldn’t have, like semi-pro sports trophies or unpublished books. It’s clear that King’s put his heart and soul into this album without help of producers or even other band mates. “Alone (Doesn’t Mean Lonely)”, “Hate (Thought Without Wisdom)”, and “The War Wages On”, among others previously mentioned, give a very up-close and personal look at Robert Lee King’s life and what’s most important to him.
As much as it may sound like bullshit, the charm and concept of Broken Things is the most important and drawing thing about the album (although the music’s good too). Pondering Robert Lee King’s perspective and vision is basically imperative to understanding it, and makes it a wholly more enjoyable listen.
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