Despite never quite getting the attention they deserve, individually or collectively as a band, the members of King's X consistently release quality music that's a little left of center. Most prolific of late appears to be vocalist/bassist Dug Pinnick, whose Strum Sum Up is his second solo album in three years. (He's also appeared in the Carmine Appice Project and The Mob, with Winger's Reb Beach and Night Ranger's Kelly Keagy.)
Raw and wicked, funked up and heavy, Strum Sum Up is the sound of Pinnick seemingly at peace with himself. These are fresh, fun and groovy songs that often are divided into two parts — the main body and then a shorter coda that often takes the tune in new directions. The signature King's X riffs and screams are all over this album, with Galactic Cowboy Wally Farkas and Steve Stevens blazing their guitars, especially on tracks like "Coming Over," "Hostile World" and the manic "Damn It." The overall vibe of this record suggests newfound freedom, with well-rounded songs that makes Strum Sum Up arguably Pinnick's most enjoyable non-King's X release.
Dug (no longer "Doug") handles multiple instruments and, at age 57, his voice amazingly doesn't sound a day older than when he recorded the classic King's X debut Out of the Silent Planet two decades ago. Strum Sum Up deserves a big thumbs straight up.
Track Listing:
1) Perfect World
2) Perfect World (Pt. 2)
3) Damn It
4) Dynomite
5) Dynomite (Pt. 2)
6) Life Is What You Make It
7) Life Is What You Make It (Pt. 2)
8) Angel
9) Coming Over
10) Smile
11) All I Want
12) Hostile World
13) Cross It
14) Cross It (Pt. 2)
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