The Kings Reviews

Entertainment Editor Sean Leary
The Kings are here! A top 20 list and an Internet search bring about an odd meeting marking the culmination of a connection made almost 20 years earlier, when the medley ``This Beat Goes On''/``Switchin' To Glide'' rocked radio. FULL STORY HERE

The Kings Are Here - Billboard Magazine
This key producer joins forces with this tight rocking quartet to deliver a glib, commercial package of galloping cuts sometimes sounding like Cheap Trick. But this outfit injects considerable more gut and fire than that supergroup.   "It's Okay" is smug punk in both lyrics and execution.  Anti-Hero Man" features aggressive guitar hooks, though they never detract from the song's lyrical and vocal fortes. The tunes never deter from their upbeat pace; nor do the lyrics let up on snide meanings.
Best cuts: "Switchin' to Glide", "It's Okay", "Run Shoes Running", "Anti-Hero Man".

Amazon Beach - Billboard Magazine Recommended
Last year The Kings had a hit with "Switchin' to Glide", this year they've switched to a harder edged sound.   Make no mistake, The Kings are rockers.  Such cuts as the title song with it's jungle beat, "Got Two Girlfriends"  and "Surprizes" make it plain that lyricist Zero has one hell of a sense of humor and that collaborator David Diamond knows how to showcase it.  Best cuts: "All the Way", "Got Two Girlfriends","Why Don't Love Do".

Unstoppable - The Album Network, Los Angeles
The Kings, as you'll recall had a huge hit with "Switchin' to Glide" back in the '80s Well, they're back! Comprised of core members David Diamond and Mister Zero  (along with keyboardist Sonny Keyes and drummer Gary Craig),  the band's new album, Unstoppable, was self-produced along with John Picard,  and it is loaded with quality songs. From their updated medley of  "This Beat Goes On/Switchin' to Glide" to "Lesson to Learn" to  "Shoulda Been Me" to the title track,  The Kings still know how to put together great pop-oriented, hook-laden songs.

Unstoppable - The Record Magazine, Canada
This is the album the record company always hoped they would deliver. All  the assets of the original group... and hits. "Lesson to Learn" and "Tonight  I Got You" are two obvious singles and "Parting of the Ways" is, like the title says, Unstoppable. ***1/2

Unstoppable - RPM Magazine, Canada
Singer David Diamond's voice should be almost instantly recognizable to those familiar with The Kings' 1980 debut album and its hit, This Beat Goes On/Switchin' to Glide.  While Unstoppable lacks the immediate dynamism of that Bob Ezrin produced album,  the outlook is sunnier than it's been for more than a decade.   The title track is the first single and will be initially aimed at AOR,  with the hope of later crossing over to CHR. But its the second emphasis track, a gentle pop/rock song called Lesson to Learn,  that should give the album its real push. Tonight I Got You and Cosmic Groove  are other tracks to take note of. The band, which also includes Mister Zero on guitar,  Sonny Keyes on keyboards and vocals and Gary Craig on drums,  has once again enlisted some big name production help.   John Punter (Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, Procul Harum, Slade) mixed the album and produced two tracks. The best hope for Unstoppable is that radio will pick up Lesson to Learn and then spurt both industry and consumer interest. Charming album cover.

The Kings Are Here and More - The Record Magazine, Canada
The Canadian classic finally gets released on CD 20 years after This Beat Goes On/Switchin' to Glide became instant rock radio staples. Partyitis, It's Okay and Don't Let Me Know are other top down anthems from the Bob Ezrin produced The Kings Are Here, which has now been digitally remastered. The "And More" consists of two new songs (Right to the Top and If The Stars Come Out Tonight), the mid-90s comeback single Unstoppable, the radio ballad If We Don't Belong Together, and the remixed and refreshing Shoulda Been Me. Result: One of the summer's big cottage country soundtracks for 30-somethings.

The Kings Are Here and More - RPM Magazine, Canada
Now, we're talking! These are legitimate oldies and definitely goodies dating back to the beginning of the '80s. In fact, Switchin' to Glide was a hit. and Unstoppable grabbed chart action as well. It was Al Fletcher, no slouch when it comes to recognizing potential, who brought about this release on the Advantage Music line, from Warner Music Strategic Projects. Also contains This Beat Goes On, It's Okay, Partyitis, Run Shoes Running and more, all of which were written by band members David Diamond and Mister Zero. These were the tracks that were produced by Bob Ezrin who also produced albums for Pink Floyd. All the early tracks have been digitally remastered. There are also a couple of powerful new tracks; Right to the Top and If The Stars Come Out Tonight both written by Diamond and Zero. These tracks were recorded at Mainway Studio in Burlington, Ontario. By the way, Unstoppable was re-recorded at Mainway with John Punter and John Picard doing the producing, as was If We Don't Belong Together, a classic track. Session people included saxman Earl Seymour, drummers Rein Vares and Gary Craig and Andy Ryan on guitar. Both these tracks were previously unavailable. The other band member is Max Styles. A remixed version of Shoulda Been Me is now at radio. The album is a treasure trove of nostalgia from when the industry was young and vibrant. Lots of great memories here.

Switchin' to Glide - Esquire Magazine, USA
For an encore we've got The Kings. The Kings? In a world of bands called Ed Gein's Car and Throbbing Gristle what band names itself The Kings? It's an assurance of obscurity and The Kings are assuredly obscure. They're downright invisible, except, of course, for the sublime two minutes and thirty two seconds of "Switchin' to Glide." With the first blast of organ, followed by power chord, power chord and power chord, we ascend. "Nothing matters but the weekend/From a Tuesday point of view... Switchin' to glide!": a bit o' pop heaven. Mark Jacobson