To your everyday hard rocker, Dug Pinnick needs no introduction. He’s spent the past 35 years as the frontman of cult legends King’s X, a band whose unique amalgamation of hard rock, prog, funk, and psychedelia should’ve made them a household name. In between countless albums and tours, Pinnick has kept himself busy with various projects including KXM (featuring Dokken’s George Lynch and Korn’s Ray Luzier), Supershine (a collaboration with Trouble guitarist Bruce Franklin), and his own namesake solo vehicle. If the ongoing pandemic has proven anything, it’s that there’s no better way to kill time than with a solo album. Considering it’s been 8 years since Pinnick’s last solo outing (Naked), 2021 was the perfect time for him to drop Joy Bomb.
Pinnick’s solo albums are essentially a doubling down on the groove oriented side of King’s X’s sonic palette. In other words, think your typical King’s X album, minus the Lennon/McCartney singer/songwriter tropes and prog meanderings. Pinnick, like any faithful bassist, loves to lay down that low end. That’s why he’s enlisted a band who loves to do the same on their respective instruments, a rhythmic trifecta if you well. Cuts like “Jon Boy”, “Key Changer”, and “Making Sense of the Bones” dare you not to shake your money maker. With Hendrix inspired riffing and funk for days, how could you not?
When Pinnick and company aren’t unleashing their soulful brand of funk rock, they’re exploring various other genres with equal gumption. “A Long Way from Home” and “I Can’t Fight This Feeling” are mesmerizing in their delivery, the latter combining rock and neo soul. “Social Distancing” is the most convincing song of the COVID era I’ve heard thus far. There’s something about hearing Pinnick remind us everything’s gonna be okay that resonates more than any other singer. “Equally Divided” showcases the slightest tinge of psychedelia, while “The Poison” presents a damning social critique set over a funky hard rock soundtrack.
As rocking as these songs are, “Like a Wolf” wins the title of “choice cut”. I swear, if this song was tuned any lower, it would be a drone metal dirge. One might not expect Sabbathian doom from Pinnick, but when he does embark on this godforsaken path, it gets DARK. I would absolutely love to hear Pinnick attempt an entire album in this vein. Supershine came close, but still boasts too much of a hard rock swagger and cannabis infused aura in comparison. Hell, if the current global situation continues at the rate it has, maybe Pinnick will go full blown doom metal in due time.
Joy Bomb is not a King’s X rehash under another name, but rather a spiritual extension of their musical family tree. It will appeal to their fanbase, as well as those who might not be as familiar with them as they should. The world could use a mass joy bombing. Leave it to Pinnick to press the “fire” button.
7 out of 10
Label: Rat Pak Records
Genre: Hard Rock
For fans of: King’s X, Supershine, The Jimi Hendrix Experience