Led by singer/guitarist
Chris Murray,
King Apparatus deal in modern ska that manages to incorporate the occasional punk element without ever adopting the latter's headlong tempos or self-conscious amateurism. Make no mistake -- these guys write and sing like pros.
Murray's voice is more polished than most ska singers', and he isn't afraid to let some chestiness creep into his delivery -- on "Hold Me Down" and the swinging "Panic" there's almost a rockabilly element to his vocals. Then, on "Uninvited," the band manages to deliver convincing reggae in 7/8 time. Figure that one out; with guitar accents on two and four, this means they turn the beat around four times per verse -- while singing. ~ Rick Anderson