Harvey Danger: King James Version : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

Nervy, gifted quartet Harvey Danger made a splash in 1998 with the modern-rock radio favorite "Flagpole Sitta" from their debut album, Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone? Their second effort, King James Version, is a step forward in both ambition and accomplishment -- it's barbed but exceptionally tuneful postmodern pop in the wry tradition of XTC and the Posies (the latter band's Ken Stringfellow guests here, as does Grant Lee Phillips, formerly of Grant Lee Buffalo). On songs like "Humility on Parade" and "This Is the Thrilling Conversation You've Been Waiting For," Harvey Danger display a sly wit and some sharp pop-rock hooks for the modern thinking man and woman. (RS 853)

DAVID WILD