Kottonmouth Kings Album: “Kottonmouth Kings”

Some people just do not react well to change. I think this is the case in the people that put down this CD. I've been a huge KMK fan since my friend turned me on to it 5 years ago, and I will agree that they are not the same band that they were. Their sound is a lot cleaner now, it sounds a lot less like it was produced in a garage. And maybe, in effect, they lose some underground charm. Let's face it - the Kings are big time now, collaborating with Cypress Hill and Tech Nine. And they are here to stay. But rather than trying to hit it mainstream, I think this CD is the biggest step of maturity the band has ever taken. If you absorb the lyrics, nothing has changed in the Kings beliefs - still potheads, still freedom fighters, still anarchists, still counterculture. They have better party music with songs like King Klick, and Make it Hot (Anyone who's heard it will jam out to `Take a Bath' when they're smashed). They keep their punk rock roots with songs like Revolution (powerful song) and Slow Suicide. The track they did with Tech Nine flows great and keeps true to the KMK cult belief (and the Cypress Hill song is a nice old school track). And back on the subject of mainstream, what is wrong with the Kings having a good radio hit? Could turn some people onto the KMK lifestyle. Look, all I'm saying is that before dismissing this CD, and dismissing the style of music that KMK has turned to, look at the CD as a change in maturity instead of a push to go mainstream, because in the end, do you think the Kings expect MTV to be supportive of a band with a CD that says screw the industry, screw the government, smoke this blunt and hit this nitrous tank?

In order to write a fair review for this album you have to know KMK's history, which includes having their previous albums. If you don't know where they've been, you can't tell where they are going. The idea of them making a straight-up rap album would seem interesting enough, however it just didn't translate well to the finished product. It sounds like they had a good time making it, but I wish this energy could have been redirected into the music itself. There is entirely too much talking, goofy laughing, (b.s.ing in general) and stuff that could have been left in the studio and off of the disc. Skits are just worn out. KMK has lost the punk/rock element that made them unique and heads above the rest. Albums like Rollin' Stoned had a great mix of punk/rock/rap, just bad a** music all around. This production sounds like it was trying to be too "dirty south" as opposed to the old cali kings. There are few good songs here, especially for a true fan who knows better than to think that this is what they are all about. I never in my wildest imagination thought I would criticize the kings' music, but they must redeem themselves after this outing.

The kottonmouth kings come out with their seventh installment in the KMK-Saga. Promoting their lifestlye(smokin pot, freedom ect. ect.) Because of their stances which stand quite far from our government's actual laws today of course they will stir up controversy. Old school KMK fans might be disapointed by the "mainstream-type" sound, but if you listen to their lyrics I think you will agree they will never be mainstream because they never plan to conform to mainstream standards. If they are put in the mainstream, as long as their message reminds true(and the same), I see it as them conforming the mainstream to them. Still rappin about legalizing freedom because freedom is still illegal makes perfect sense, and I hope these guys have as big of an impact on everyone else's life, as it did on mine.

Picked it up on 5/31/05. Popped it in CD player. Forgot to turn down volume when getting out of car before going into store. Blew off head. Insane bass. Almost died. As much as I love all the classic KMK albums, I think this one is my favorite of all. I didn't think this would be the case because of '04's Fire It Up (not that it sucked, it's just my least fave), but all I'm sayin' is that if yer a KMK fan in any way at all you absolutely must have this CD. Hell, if you like rap and hip-hop in general you should go grab this...FOREEEAAAL!! Seriously though...from start to finish it'll kick yer ass. As soon as you hear the first cut you'll be like "Damn...that white boy on that website was tellin' the truth!" PEACE!!

i read on kmk's website that this was going to be their BEST album yet... so i was pretty pumped for it to come, but i was totally dissappointed once i listened. they seem to have completely changes their sound. i miss the old kmk like "high society" and even "hidden stash 2". it sounds to me like their are trying too hard to be ghetto fabulous. what happened to singing about livin in the suburbs and smokin out witcha friends? remember, your p-town ballers, not gangsta gangsta.