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Initially known for merging blues and hip-hop, Chris Thomas
King was truly an innovator. His rap was heartfelt and genuine.
However, like most [established] artists, he has evolved. Yet,
with a hybrid of heavy riffs on top of classic rock anthems, Thomas's
music has become more akin to a Lenny Kravitz cover act
than anything original. Straight out of the gate, King plagiarizes
Kravitz's hard driving guitar heavy sound on "Starr".
He covers the landmark Prince song "Kiss" uneventfully,
as his version sticks a little too close to the original. He briefly
returns to his roots with fusion of blues and soft-core rap on
"Legend", and while the message attempts to be socially
conscious it is a cliché of life in the ghetto touching
on everything from drugs to teen pregnancy. "The Scream"
is a three and a half minute guitar solo which unsuccessfully
attempts to channel Jimi Hendrix, and is annoying rather
than artistic. This is not to say there aren't any bright spots
on the disc, there are - but they are few and far between. "A
Song For Mama" encompasses a heartfelt gospel sentiment which
is pure and emotive. Chris Thomas King finally flirts with some
straight blues on "Down", with a full horn section which
harkens back to classic B.B. King. This is immediately
followed by the guitar fueled dirty blues composition "Wicked".
Unfortunately, the remainder of While My Guitar Screams &
Moans is filler with little or no merit.
-Tony Engelhart
Track Listing:
1. Starr
2. Action (Interlude)
3. Kiss
4. Legend
5. A Song for Mama
6. King Snake
7. Juke Joint Lover
8. Louisiana Party
9. Come Home Tonight
10. Down
11. Wicked
12. Scream
13. Cracked
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Chris
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