Nathan Holley

From the tribal sounding percussion that kicks off "Holdin' Me Down" to the stripped down, acoustic closing tune "Believe," "The Upper Lounge Affair" is an ambitious effort by King Solomon's Grave.

"The Upper Lounge Affair" is filled with several gems. The album's standout track is the fearless "Holdin' Me Down." The song begins with lulling Santana-esque percussion before transcending to blazing guitar and drum work.

The problem arises when this song ends. "Holdin' Me Down" whets the listener's appetite for more innovative songs like it. One has to sift through more obvious tunes like "Sweet Urbana" before finding them.

"Building Walls," a track that pulls these two styles together, is another standout. Perfectly melding the party atmosphere texture with a poppy guitar riff, bouncing bass lines, a darker charging chorus and a guitar solo reminiscent of Pearl Jam.

Other highlights include "Watch What You're Doing," "You" and "10,000 Worlds." Nate Holley's vocals best complement the music on tracks like these. More edgy riffs and chord progressions are explored. When the band follows the ordinary trail of O.A.R.-inspired songs like "Whole Lotta Livin,'" the vocals grow tiresome.

Fans and the house party crowds will no doubt be pleased by "The Upper Lounge Affair," but King Solomon's grave should further explore the trails they started to blaze on "Holdin' Me Down" and "Building Walls."

-Mike Hart - The Daily Vidette

Review #1 - Chris Earnhart

King Solomon's Grave is a sometimes funky, sometimes sober college jam band. And their album "The Upper Lounge Affair" has become a staple in my CD player. The album has a good clean crisp sound, the band has talent, and though the sound has a very familiar feel, it is still good music.

I think the main reason that I have listened to the album so much is that it has a great variety. Ranging from songs that get me moving with catchy lyrics and upbeat music like "Whole Lotta Livin" and "Sweet Urbana" to sad, slower songs such as "10,000 Worlds," a song about a young slave girl whose father is hung on a tree that he planted for her when she was little. So it fits whatever my mood I may have.

Highlight: Whole Lotta Livin. It's a catchy non-pop tune, that gets me to sing along and move with the music. It's well-written musically and lyrically. This song really shows off all the great potential the band has to offer. I recommend it live.

Low point?: None. Solid Album. If you like a part, then you are bound to like the whole.

The lead vocals and guitar are full of talent. They definitely take center stage, so it's a good thing for the band that they are as great as they are. The only problem is that I think the rest of the band could really shine too, but they often seem to just back the lead vocal/lead guitar.

So, the overall sound is very pleasing indeed and doesn't get boring. A sound like that needs the participation of the entire band, and they do participate. I would recommend this band to anyone who doesn't have anything against college jam bands really. I say this because the people I know who don't like them just aren't fans of jam bands.

Just don't that because I say that, that KSG is old-news, or "I've heard this one before" rock. They really have talent, and a good, unique sound with a familiar style. Check them out at their site, www.kingsolomonsgrave.com. Have a good one!
- openingbands.com