King Khan & The Shrines: Idle No More (Merge, 9/3/13)
Theatrics and hijinks aside…wait, who are we kidding? Theatrics and hijinks are the cornerstone of King Khan’s greatness. Donkey-teeth necklaces and feathered headdresses are a staple of the king’s regalia, and buttcheek-to-face contact is a regular risk when in his presence. And the music — well, the music is what makes King Khan & The Shrines truly distinctive.
The group’s first album in five years, Idle No More, takes the versatile sounds of soul and R&B into deeper consideration than before, providing a taste of the group’s garage-y history with tracks like the “Bite My Tongue.” On the other side of the spectrum, slower ballads like “Darkness” are a rockabilly crooner’s dream come true.
No tracks, however, skimp on Khan’s secret weapon — an incredible horn section that makes sure every party where King Khan plays is a rager.