Title: Kingsrdworks Label: Laughing Outlaw File Under: Power pop country punk for grown ups RIYL: The Posies, Wilco, Steve Earle circa Copperhead Road Michael Carpenter is a man of many masques, be it renowned producer, festival organiser or magical believer in the power of pop as frontman, sometimes solo man but this time as lead raconteur with King's Rd. The first album where he's worked with a full band marks a shift for Carpenter, not just in musical attitudes and sounds, but in personal attitudes, and his willingness to utilise the magic of other musicians to aid his journey. And it works. Opening tack "Nothing in the World" sounds exactly what you'd expect from Carpenter, a slice of 3 minute power chords and vocal changelings that Ken Stringfellow would be proud of. But once "King's Road" and "The One for Me" kick in, we know that something has shifted. It's the Hammond-like organs, the mandolin and even Carpenter's voice which has shifted to something sharper, harsher, grimmer, like Ryan Adam's on the early Whiskeytown albums, regret shoved in next to bitterness on the scale of emotional angst. King's Rd are working up a stomping sweat, like the band that worked with Steve Earle on Copperhead Rd, four to the floor alt.country rock, sounding tight, secure, dangerous and drummer Nando Pettinato has a wily way with a snare. The rest of the album is an equal combination of uptempo warmth and country tinged regret, perfect driving music for crossing the country or heading to the beach. Kingsrdworks sounds good loud, Carpenter making the most of his studio nous, and its the sound of a musician growing into himself, maturing with the help of others, making music for the pleasure of the music itself and the music rocking the roof off the barn.
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