REVIEW: Little King — Lente Viviente (LP)

If you like Prog rock, hard rock and classic rock, Little King are right up your alley with Lente Viviente, their 8th album release to date, with seven absolute bangers to choose from, which play out in succession as well as any Prog concept. Some of it is radio weight Prog, with a few hardcore aspects going for it on top of the talents of Ryan Rosoff, David Hamilton, and Tony Bojorquez, weighing in equally over the platter. Their efforts over the years have led up to another smoking release worth anyone’s time and money at any rate in an uncertain time they help remedy with healing lyrics.

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“Catch And Release” leads the album in with an outstanding song from the get-go, which takes plenty of description that would give it away without hearing, but the point is they don’t hold back from the start with this epic song that plays so well without even being familiar with them. It’s like you’ve heard it before but just want to hear it repeatedly, as the rejuvenating quality of it commands. But not to distract from the rest of the songs, as there is a lot to digest in only seven big tracks.

“Dawn Villa” keeps the high standard going for another spell, with a mystical song you’ll either love or loathe, depending on your speed. It’s worth mentioning how it sounds nothing like the former song but clearly the same band and sound keep it together between the lines. The Lente Viviente album would not be complete without it, whether you skip any tracks or not, as each song tells its own story on the album, like chapters from a book taking you to and from the title. Don’t forget to take the time and absorb it, as it comes recommended.

Jumping back up a notch and giving the album a break, “Who’s Illegal” changes the speed and slows it down with a sensitive story society can’t avoid as it becomes more polarizing by the year with elections and their outcomes causing confusion in more people following than not. It’s a sign of the times, and Little King nails the entire vibe, with soothing melodic guitar parts and a smashing chorus. “Kindness For Weakness” takes it in another direction again, bringing more to explore and describing the ruckus we can find ourselves in when we’re just too nice for our own good.

“Sweet Jesse James” might seem like an out of place title for Lente Viviente, but it stands up in the process, with another album highlight complete with strings contributed by Hamilton, on what could be the album’s most radio-friendly song. “Pass Through Filters” on the other hand is heavier concept altogether and completely the opposite of the former, but in every good way imaginable. And it goes hand in hand with the last song “The Living Lens” and its major impact even though it takes things to a close, as if to save the best or at least the most enticing song for last.

Colin Jordan