"This album blows me away. It truly rocks! July For Kings cover a wide range of original material with catchy melodies and hooks. What sets this group and album apart from most other stuff released nowadays is the fantastic songwriting of Joe Hedges, the lead singer, and the great arrangements of the songs by July For Kings.The album's first single "Normal Life" is the perfect air guitar rock singalong song and should do well on Top 40 radio. (The SWIM CD also includes a B&W video of JFK recording "Normal Life" which is really cool.) The album flows with good medium tempo rock songs like "Girlfriend", "Champagne", "Without Wings", and the very stylish "New Black Car". They also kick it up a notch with the hard-rocking songs "Start Again", "Bed of Ashes", "Anything But Beautiful", and "Believe". And there are softer songs like "Meteor Flower", "And Gomorra", and "Washed Away" that are simply beautiful.This is one of the best rock albums I've heard in quite awhile. I can fully recommend this as one you'll truly enjoy and play again and again. I know I have! :)"
A Good Listen
j. | 02/01/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"While a few of the songs on this cd are forgettable, July For Kings has fashioned quite an impressive disc, complete with heavy crashing guitars but also soft and flowing melodies. If there's anything to be said about July For Kings, it's that they don't get the credit they deserve. Bluntly, their songwriting is very good. They sound very similar at times to bands such as Stone Temple Pilots and heavy Matchbox 20 stuff, and to a lesser degree, Everclear, Alice in Chains and (regrettably) Creed. That being said, had this album been released in the hey-day of the mid-90s "grunge" era, these guys would undoubtedly be internationally known. But, as it is, they keep a relatively low-key profile by touring heavily in small bars and clubs. They put on a great show if you ever get a chance to see them."
Always in the CD player!
Jennifer Shelton | Nevada | 01/20/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I tracked down this CD after hearing "Normal Life" on the radio.. and I'm glad I took the chance and bought the CD. I feel the music is very soulful and positive. Makes me feel good and sing out loud no matter what mood I started out in!
I hope these guys keep making music!!!
"
Down to earth
Katie | Memphis, TN USA | 11/21/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What touched me the most about this CD is that the song lyrics are down to earth. I like that because many bands today have gotten away from the little things in life that make life so worth living. The songs are uplifting and easy to relate to. This is a great CD, not just the lyrics but the music is great. A mixture of many different types of songs which show the talent of this band. I would recommend this CD is most anyone. It is a turn up the radio with the windows down in the car CD."