Artist: Chris Rea Album: King of the Beach

Year: 2000
Duration: 0:0-1

Chris Rea's King of the Beach: A Critical Review of the Album

Chris Rea is an English singer, songwriter, and guitarist who has been in the music industry for over four decades. Known for his distinctive husky voice and blues-tinged rock music, he has released several albums that have remained popular among music lovers. One such album that stands out is King of the Beach, which was released in 2000. This album was a departure from his previous works because it showcased a different sound and style. In this blog post, we'll take a critical look at this album, discuss the music genre, the best songs, the innovative parts, and offer our critique.

King of the Beach is an album that was heavily influenced by the blues, rock, and roll, with hints of folk music. The album's sound was a deviation from his previous works, which mostly featured a slow-paced and melancholic vibe. King of the Beach was infused with upbeat rhythms, a refreshing change that highlighted Rea's versatility as a musician. The album's overall sound was a mix of country music, reggae, and rock, which gave the record a genre-bending feel.

One of the best songs of the album is Dancing Shoes, which was the first single to be released. It is a catchy and upbeat song that will leave you tapping your feet. The song's type of melody and beat is often termed as swamp rock, which is a popular genre in the southern United States. Another song worth mentioning is Sun is Rising, a slow and mellow tune that is a stark contrast to the other upbeat tracks on the album. Chris Rea's vocals are full of emotion and complement the acoustic guitar, creating a mesmerizing piece of music.

The most innovative part of King of the Beach is how Rea incorporated several genres into the album without any genre overpowering another. His ability to blend these genres, including rock, country, reggae, and folk music, speaks to his prowess as a musician and his willingness to experiment with new sounds. The album's production, engineered by Chris Potter, was also top-notch, which helped in bringing out the best in each song.

However, despite King of the Beach being an impressive album, it had some shortcomings. One such criticism is that the album lacked coherence, as each track seemed to follow its unique style. For example, Texas has a strong country music influence, while Sun is Rising has a folk music vibe. This variation in genre made it seem as though the songs were a collection of singles, not a cohesive body of work. Another critique of the album is that some songs seemed to have a repetitive melody, making them less memorable.

In conclusion, Chris Rea's King of the Beach was a remarkable album that showcased his growth as a musician. The album's infusion of different genres created an exciting and eclectic sound that made the record unique. The album had several standout tracks, including Dancing Shoes and Sun is Rising, that were commendable efforts by the musician. However, the album lacked coherence, making it feel like a collection of singles, and repetitive melodies, which impeded its longevity. Nonetheless, King of the Beach is a beautiful body of work that is a must-listen for Chris Rea fans and a treat for music lovers who want to experience an infusion of different genres.