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Millencolin

Kingwood (2005)
Burning Heart

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Contributed by: JKyle
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on April 12th 2005

Opinions seem to widely vary regarding Millencolin, so I'll get a few things out of the way first. Not only is Pennybridge Pioneers my favorite Millencolin album; I also consider it to be a near-flawless masterpiece and a must-own for any punk rock fan. Secondly, Home From Home wasn't entirely bad, just inconsistent. That being said, if "Black Eye" or "Happiness For Dogs" didn't do it for you, you might not find much to like on Kingwood. Finally, if you're waiting for Millencolin to bring back the ska, you're out of luck; there's nary an upstroke to be found on this album.

As promised, Kingwood is a faster, more aggressive offering than the mid-tempo, rock-oriented Home From Home. From the opening track, "Farewell My Hell," Kingwood moves along at a frantic pace, with plenty of driving power chord riffs and anthemic choruses. The balladic "Shut You Out" is one of the few subdued moments among this set, and even the poppier cuts ("Cash Or Clash," "Ray") are loud and punchy. This is far and away Millencolin's best-sounding effort yet; the guitars are big and crunchy, and vocalist Nikola's voice is noticeably clearer than on Home From Home. In short, this album demands to be played loudly. These songs are also more textured than those on previous outings; the eerie guitar feedback sounds at the end of "Novo" and "Stalemate" and the piano in the bridge of "Stalemate" are prime examples of this. It's a subtle change, but a welcome one. There are plenty of good, catchy tunes (and thankfully, very little filler) on Kingwood, such as the anthemic "Birdie" and "Biftek Supernova," which recalls old Bad Religion. The real standout here, however, is the penultimate track, "Mooseman's Jukebox." With its driving shuffle beat, thumping bass line, and a chorus that just begs the listener to sing along, it's impossible to sit still through this song, and I have found myself returning to it more than any other track on this album.

Lyrically, Kingwood has less tongue-in-cheek humor than Millencolin's previous albums. There are no songs about Nintendo, Vulcans, or foxy motor scooters to be found here. Instead, we are given heartfelt, meaningful lyrics about living up to one's potential ("Birdie") or the frustration of feeling constrained by others' expectations ("Ray"). The lone exception might be the aforementioned "Mooseman's Jukebox," the verses of which are simply other bands' song titles cleverly arranged to form rhymes. The other songs, however, are more compelling on an emotional level than much of Millencolin's older material. It's hard to listen to a song like "A Simple Twist Of Hate," with its sense of urgency and anger, and not feel affected in some way.

Beginning with Pennybridge Pioneers, Millencolin have been abandoning their earlier skate-punk leanings in favor of perfecting the art of the straightforward punk rock song, and with Kingwood, this metamorphosis is nearer to completion than ever. It may not topple Pennybridge Pioneers as their best work, but it's a far better foray into this new sound than Home From Home.

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crazytoledo (May 16, 2006)

Kingwood isn't the best, Pennybridge Pioneers is, but this is really good.

Janickbananick (December 6, 2005)

Kingwood is the best millencolin album.
All the songs are good. My favorite song is Farewell my hell

My rank of their cds:
1. Kingwood
2. Pennybridge Pioneers
3. Home From Home
4. For Monkeys
5. Same Old Tunes
6. Life On A Plate

jussu- (November 21, 2005)

nothing versus pennybridge, but still pretty bueno..

AlmostPunkEnough (July 29, 2005)

4 months after it came out i still listen to this album, the only other releases from winter/spring that still get my attention are Paint It Black's "Paradise" and Smoke or Fire. "Kingwood" just grows on me more and more. this will almost definitley be on my top 10 list come december.

Anonymous (June 23, 2005)

I love this album. Home from Home was the most massive let down I have ever had, considering how awesome pennybridge pioneers was. This is different but so much better than home from home and makes me wonder why I ever doubted Millencolin. Still not up there with pennybridge, that was fuckin unreal.

Anonymous (June 4, 2005)

The last 3 MC releases have been near perfect, and this is probably the best. They're going in such an awesome direction, only good things can come out of it.

Anonymous (May 16, 2005)

I think this is a great direction for Millencolin to go in.

You gotta grow out of that "old school = better" phase some day, and when that happens maybe you can start looking at music for how it is, not how the band used to be.

Anonymous (May 3, 2005)

I like this. Just bought it. Sounds like Face To Face in spots.

ice-cold (April 20, 2005)

Hey I didn't say I liked the song Ray. I saw the video before listening to kingwood and didn't like it at all, but the lyrics make a good point. My favorites would be Novo, My Name is Golden or Farewell My Hell. I agree with whoever said this is a refreshing change from all the screamo music... and just in time for summer. This albums still growing on me after each listen.

Anonymous (April 17, 2005)

I thought Life on a Plate was boring when I bought it in high school. Is there any reason to continue caring about this band?

Anonymous (April 17, 2005)

This album keeps getting better everytime I listen to it. This is a must have album for us "old-school" punk fans in our early twenties that are sick of all the new screaming make-up crap. The only problem is that the album is a little inconsistent as there are a couple of really bad songs, but for the most part it's the perfect album to get you in the mood for summer. Best song is Farewell my Hell.

moneenerd (April 17, 2005)

Mediocre album from a band that always seems to be trying to find themselves. I found their older stuff way more fun to listen to. this just sounds like generic skate punk, for the most part. Sorry guys!

Anonymous (April 16, 2005)

"i dont think too many young kids are into them. i mean when i go to their shows the fan age im guessing is around 20-25, people whoi have grown with this band for a long time. the younger kids i see there are usually there for the support acts it seems. i dunno, just my observation..."

I think you're right. However, I am 15 right now, and am going to one of their concerts in May. I started listening to them when I was around 12 or 13.

Not a lot of young people are still starting to listen to them, but there are still a few... and by the way, I like all their albums equally. :)

Anonymous (April 16, 2005)

"read the lyrics of ray, not one of my favorites from kingwood but they make a good point about all the life on a plate fanboys. They aren't going back to their old sound anytime so like it or move on."

Kind of ironic considering that this song sounds like it could come right off "Life on a Plate"

Anonymous (April 15, 2005)

"are younger kids nowadays still interested in millencolin or is it all just my chemical romance and the used for them?"

i dont think too many young kids are into them. i mean when i go to their shows the fan age im guessing is around 20-25, people whoi have grown with this band for a long time. the younger kids i see there are usually there for the support acts it seems. i dunno, just my observation...

samnorth (April 15, 2005)

this band could have had a hit back in the day if they were promoted better.

are younger kids nowadays still interested in millencolin or is it all just my chemical romance and the used for them?

Anonymous (April 15, 2005)

The first Millencolin cd I heard was Same Old Tunes and I really liked it but my cousin didn't tell me the name of it so I went out and bought Pennybridge. GOOD CHOICE. Pennybridge is far and away their best cd.

My ordered rank of Millencolin cd's.

1. Pennybridge
2. For Monkeys
3. Same Old Tunes
4. Kingwood(this could change after a few more listens)
5. Home from Home
6. Life on a Plate

What is so great about Life on a Plate??? The recording quality is shit compared to the other so called "early" Millencolin cd's. Epitaph should re-master this cd. Fuck they re-mastered Full Circle(what a joke) they should do this one.

Anonymous (April 15, 2005)

"Why do all the "LIFE ON A PLATE IS THE BEST MC CD CAUSE I SAID SO" people still listen to them?"

i don't.

- the guy 4 posts down

ice-cold (April 15, 2005)

I disliked this album after first listen but after a few spins it's grown on me. I wouldn't say it's the best millencolin has released but it fits somewhere in between. Why do all the "LIFE ON A PLATE IS THE BEST MC CD CAUSE I SAID SO" people still listen to them? If you don't like the punk-rock sound they have developed into get over it and move on. Maybe you're not the type of fans mc wants, cause theres actually people who like HFH and think theres some classic mc songs on there.. read the lyrics of ray, not one of my favorites from kingwood but they make a good point about all the life on a plate fanboys. They aren't going back to their old sound anytime so like it or move on.

Anonymous (April 15, 2005)

good stuff

JKyle (April 15, 2005)

"the latter type generally likes everything they have put out after pennybridge better than their first three albums. these people suck at music."

I disagree. Pennybridge was the first of theirs I heard, and I love it, but I like their old stuff, too. I haven't listened to Same Old Tunes enough to comment on it, but I'd much rather listen to Life on a Plate or For Monkeys than Home From Home. I'm still on the fence regarding Kingwood. It's still got a lot of that Home From Home sound to it, but the songs are better.

Anonymous (April 14, 2005)

Kingwood is the album i would have expected to hear just after For Monkeys, and before Pennybridge.

There are two kinds of millencolin fans, the ones who got into them during the same old tunes - life on a plate - for monkeys years, and those who got into millencolin after that, who's first millencolin album they heard was pennybridge or home from home. the latter type generally likes everything they have put out after pennybridge better than their first three albums. these people suck at music. the people who've liked them since the sot-loap-fm years genrally don't like the latest stuff as much as the early stuff. that's just how it is.

the order of millencolin album goodness goes as followed, with the first three changing spots here and there since they are all equally good.

1. Life On A Plate
2. Same Old Tunes
3. For Monkeys
4. Kingwood
5. Pennybridge
6. Home From Home

Anonymous (April 14, 2005)

How can you not like Biftek Supernova??? It's the fastest, most melodic song on the cd.

Anonymous (April 14, 2005)

"Am I the only one who think's millencolin hasn't released anything good since four monkeys?:"

No, I totally agree. I gave up after Pennybridge Pioneers which was awful.

Anonymous (April 14, 2005)

eh ok i've listened to the full album now and i say...eh. the first 4 tracks all really kickass, then its kinda downhill from there. 'mooseman's jukebox' and 'ray' are pretty sweet and a few others are solid, but again, they try that 'straight up rock' sound they first experimented w/ on 'home from home' way to much. they are so much stronger when they do poppy punk and skate punk songs. i'd say its about on par w/ home from home, not great, not bad, pretty average. pennybridge will forever be their best album IMO, this was their last chance in my book, to top it.

paul

jamespastepunk (April 14, 2005)

I still have yet to get this CD, though I'm probably going to pick it up tomorrow.

Anonymous (April 14, 2005)

If the earlier works is 5/5 and the last two (Pennybridge Pioneers and Home From Home) 3/5 this gets 4/5 stars.

Best song is Mooseman's Jukebox followed by Stalemate. Worst song is Biftek Supernova (really hate it....)

Anonymous (April 14, 2005)

Killing the right!

Anonymous (April 14, 2005)

Sometimes 2000-2001 feels like old school to me. I'm a sophomore in college now, I was a sophomore in high school then. Emocore or whatever you call it, I call it a combination of whining and screaming, has taken over now. Just five years ago skate-punk was in full force.

Anonymous (April 14, 2005)

Rubbish... I really use to like Millencolin but they seemed to have lost their niche with this album... it just doesn't have the uniqueness that it used to i suppose... 5 stars to the new Modern Life Is War album and the new Bane album...

Anonymous (April 13, 2005)

Samian?

Anonymous (April 13, 2005)

Could there be better Swedish punk?
Vote here:
http://www.thomasahlgren.com/disgraceland/modules/xoopspol l/index.php?poll_id=14

Anonymous (April 13, 2005)

yea, i mean i know the late 90's was n't all that long ago but man shit has changed, that is basically my point. i mean in 98 ska was dominating, skate punk was supr popular people still liked pennywise, i was in highschool.

now i'm done w/ college, emocore or whatever you want to call it dominates, punk type music is way more fashionable and popular ( i see so many hot girls at shows now, back in the late 90's i was one of the token few kids into this sorta music...now its on the OC)

i dont' know ...the 'scene' has changed so rapidly that i don't htink it sthat off basde to call the late 90's old school. a lot can happen in the world of punk rock in just 5 or 6 years.

the only change i see for the better is kids are a lot more open minded these days. when i was 16-18, if it wasn't skate punk or ska punk i didn't want to hear it. i'll 17 year olds now, at an alkaline trio show, wearing a lawrencer arms shirt, having a choheed hat on w/ a big D pin and maybe...ya know, you get my point.

wtf am i ramblng about?

paul

boba_fett (April 13, 2005)

these guys are cool. but i take issue with lyrical content, namely i find that a lot of the time it's only average.

Anonymous (April 13, 2005)

hmmmm......i thought 80's hardcore was "old school", not late 90's skate punk.....it doesn't even seem like that long ago when PW released Straight Ahead and at the time i was a fan (no more).

Anonymous (April 13, 2005)

scott, tim...check: www.udora.com

Anonymous (April 13, 2005)

I like how Jones babysits all of his posts so he can get the last word in every single time.

Anonymous (April 13, 2005)

I'm also 24 and I consider mid-90's old-school (my early teenage years). Late 90's is not quite "old-school" yet in my book, but I understand where you're coming from.

I was a big Millencolin fan and my favorite album of theirs is Pennybridge. With that said, I was extremely disappointed with Home From Home... I only liked about 2 or 3 songs from it. I was hoping Kingwood would be better... and it is, but only slightly better. It's still a little disappointing. Some good tunes though. I was glad I bought it if only for the nostalgia factor.

Anonymous (April 13, 2005)

hahah sorry man...but i'm 24 and trust me, the late 90's are now old school! i was teenager then! i'm a month from 25....them days is gone

paul

Anonymous (April 13, 2005)

"throwback to the late 90's"......now im starting to feel REALLY old.....since when did the late 90's become "old school"?????? lol

Anonymous (April 13, 2005)

after being thouroughly dissapointed w/ 'home from home' and feeling that i have reached a point where i have 'out grown' millincolin (much like how i feel about pennywise and h20...and i dont' see that feeling changing w/ them) i decided fuck it, and bought this anyway.

so far so good. i dig the first 4 tracks. so far its better than home from home. its not going to blow you away, but if you long for a fun throwback to the late 90's pick this up.

paul

Anonymous (April 13, 2005)

scott likes pro wrestling

ickefes (April 13, 2005)

"This is far and away Millencolin's best-sounding effort yet; the guitars are big and crunchy, and vocalist Nikola's voice is noticeably clearer than on Home From Home. In short, this album demands to be played loudly".

How can people actually enjoy the totally crushed, destroyed sound of the last decade? If I say L2, than studio enthusiast will know what I mean. This record sounds very bad. They have pushed the sound through the ceiling creating distortion. Just like the new Pennywise remastered albums. When will people adopt the K-System?

Anonymous (April 13, 2005)

How can you people possibly like "ray", the new single from this cd?

I'm not saying i don't like it, but seriously, it sounds exactly like mest and all those other bands, but it's ok for me because i like them, but you guys trash on all those bands all the time, but you can't argue that "ray" sounds like mest in a wheelchair with a cane.

Anonymous (April 13, 2005)

"I have a question though. What is Kingwood??"

i read an interview that said nikola bought a kenwood audio thing back in 1995 or something and walked around telling everyone he bought a kingwood cos he didnt know the real name. apparently it just represents all their influences have been played through his "kingwood"

Anonymous (April 13, 2005)

I've listened three times now and I love it. Not as good as Pennybridge but hardly anything is as good as that.

Biftek Supernova is the best song by far in my opinion. Cash or Clash and Mooseman's Jukebox are tied for second, both have very catchy sing along beats.

I have a question though. What is Kingwood??

Anonymous (April 13, 2005)

i enjoyed it, good to see some of the great 90's bands still putting out good music.

Skanknsmile (April 12, 2005)

im none to impressed with this offering, i really liked pennybridge pioneers and home from home, but this just seems bleh..

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

Thank you Millencolin=)

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

I think Kingwood is a pretty sweet album, ok its not life on a plate or pennybridge, but give it the credit it deserves

Cos (April 12, 2005)

I really liked Home From Home (or whatever its called) when it came out... but haven't listened to them much since "Life on A Plate". Meh.

--Cos

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

--Am I the only one who think's millencolin hasn't released anything good since four monkeys?

You definetely are not the only one.

Marlon (April 12, 2005)

Dude I'm anorexic.

stevejonestherealbones (April 12, 2005)

mind you, i said "chicks with dicks...." not "dudes with tits"

like i said...i'm not gay...

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Marlon (April 12, 2005)

"marlon.....

that was when i was young and confused....i found myself....now i like chicks with dicks only "

So there's still hope?

LevitateMe (April 12, 2005)

that cover is death from above 1979 inspired. maybe.

stevejonestherealbones (April 12, 2005)

marlon.....

that was when i was young and confused....i found myself....now i like chicks with dicks only

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

how may people here actually liked and saw millencolin life back in their ska days? y

sickboi (April 12, 2005)

I still laugh when I read "the full-length 'Kingwood' "....

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

great album

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

to the guy who said he bought the f minus record instead of this- good choice. F-minus makes this band eat shit....and basically every other current band.

inagreendase (April 12, 2005)

Disappointing. This tries too hard to be a mix of the last two albums and comes off boring as a result...not that this idea can't be accomplished well.

Also, they pulled a Suicide Machines and ripped off one of their own songs. "My Name Is Golden" is just like the awkward miscarriage of "Montego."

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

i guess home from home is their best album, i dont know. im tired of "melodic hardcore" and "wannabe emo" bands, thats why i like their rockn roll side.

Marlon (April 12, 2005)

do you wanna fuck me or something...i'm not gay, quit hoping

*Gasp!* You lied to me!

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

This band is dead to me.

-Chinatown

stevejonestherealbones (April 12, 2005)

"your opinion means nothing jones the faggot bones"

do you wanna fuck me or something...i'm not gay, quit hoping

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Chason (April 12, 2005)

i'm sure this has already been said, but yes, the hype surrounding this album as going back to their roots was a little misleading, but it's still a stellar album.

Inspection12e (April 12, 2005)

Am I the only one who think's millencolin hasn't released anything good since four monkeys?

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

I got this the other day and rest assured, most of it is pretty fast-paced, reminded me of the old Millencolin. So far my favourite songs are "Ray", "Cash Or Clash" and the one with Moose in the title.

Joe

CorpseOfMyMotivation (April 12, 2005)

Maybe I'll check this out, but Home From Home was pretty awful.

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

This isn't more stuff like 'kemp' and 'man or mouse' is it? i really hated that 'hard rock' shitty direction they were experimenting w/...it really turned me off to millencolin after pennybridge blew me away...

paul

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

an excellent album, i'm glad they have begun writing song with a melodic minor key sort of punch again. most of these choruses are catchy as fuck. If you asre already a fan this will not dissapoint, if you are just getting into this band start with pennybridge.

Medley (April 12, 2005)

Even before reading this positive review I was planning on picking this album up, only because I've always loved Millencolin.
However, I'm afraid I won't like it any better than Home From Home. In my mind early Millencolin is the best Millencolin. Same Old Tunes, Life on a Plate, and For Monkeys are in my mind their best albums. The youthful energy of these albums is irresistible.

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

score is for moose.

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

Nice catchy millencolin album good but not great.
Though no where as many fast paced tunes as Life on a plate or Same old tunes which is a shame, and the vocals sound a lil gruff.
totaly worth picking up if your a big fan of recent millencolin. If not then this album isnt essential

sickboi (April 12, 2005)

"Ray" is a jam and a 1/2.

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

"my name is golden" is the best song

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

Good record, close second to pennybridge

thirtyseconds (April 12, 2005)

I was close to buying this, but F-Minus caught my eye so I got that because I had been looking for it for yonks. Took it home, I reckon I could have made the wrong choice. (Based on this rather good review.)

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

Good review and top album. I agree with the Mooseman's Jukebox comment, Ray is also great.

-Strewtho.

Scootz_McNasty (April 12, 2005)

millencolin is one of my favorite bands and i am super-fuckin'-psyched for this album.

and in my opinion, Pennybridge Pioneers is their best work,

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

Not a fan, but good review anyways. Makes me wish I could appreciate Millincolin, but I just can't do it.

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

your opinion means nothing jones the faggot bones

JKyle (April 12, 2005)

The only song on this album I really don't like is "My Name is Golden." It reminds me too much of the "hard" songs from Home From Home, like "Man or Mouse" and "Kemp." Meh.

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

This is the best cd epitaph has put out in years. Farewell my Hell, Simple Twist of Hate, and Moosemans Jukebox are my top tracks.

stevejonestherealbones (April 12, 2005)

that video they released was kinda entertaining, but i have to say no to this. its just not good music.

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

TheMarc (April 12, 2005)

Oh hells yes! This album is the real deal! So much so that it's reduced me to talking in white boy gangsta slang! Represent and such!

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

I think this album is really good, like the reviewer said a much better album than home from home. As much as I liked there pre Pennybridge ska/punk days (exept for monkeys) i think they do their power pop rock thing a lot better and have found a sound they can call their own. With this album they've brought their new power rock style and combined it with the old skate punk tempo. If you only liked life on a plate tiny tunes era millencolin I don't think you'll like this even though it is faster because it still has that 'new millencolin sound' that arrived with pennybridge pioneers.

1)Life on a plate
2) Pennybridge Pioneers
3)Kingwood/Tiny tunes (2nd best of both era's)
4)Home from Home
5) For Monkeys

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

I hadn't listened to Millencolin in the longest time, but the second Farwell My Hell came on my speakers I had a smile on my face and it all came back to me, this album has amazing songs, simple twist of hate's lightning fast drumbeat and my name is golden's rock and roll to the core guitar, I am really glad I gave this album a listen, I forgot how amazing millencolin were.

pwfanatic (April 12, 2005)

this album is insanely catchy.

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

Pennybridge Pioneers was really good, but I still miss the On A Plate days

This album is alright, nothing special

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

This album is boner until you see that RAY music video and your balls crawl back into you anus.

Anonymous (April 12, 2005)

This album can be summed up in one word:

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz