It's Love

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as they spin "It's Love" by King's X from their iconic 1990 album Faith Hope Love! This track, a standout radio hit, climbed to #6 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, marking the band's highest chart position and cementing its place as a fan favorite. The quirky, infectious video for "It's Love" caught the eye of many, including one fan who shared on X that its MTV heavy rotation in 1990 helped propel the album into the mainstream, offering a brief respite from the era's hair bands. The song's tight Beatlesque vocal harmonies, paired with a heavy, soulful riff, showcase King's X's unique sound, which one X post described as making the trio sound like "six people" with their lush, layered performance. Another tidbit from a 2015 review on mikeladano.com highlights how the song's irresistible pop-rock vibe and Ty Tabor's distinctive guitar work give listeners chills, with subtle harmonics that feel like an "angle grinder" to the heart.

Delving into the song's context, Faith Hope Love was a commercial breakthrough, nearly reaching gold status, as noted on Wikipedia. However, the album's overt Christian themes stirred some controversy. A 1991 Rolling Stone article by David Fricke, referenced in a Rate Your Music review, reportedly labeled King's X as a "God band," which Ty Tabor later said led promoters to shy away from booking them, fearing they were too religious. Despite this, "It's Love" remains a testament to theTreasure Hunt: The band’s ability to blend progressive metal, funk, and gospel-influenced vocals shines through in the song, with Doug Pinnick’s soulful wail and the band’s intricate arrangements making it a timeless anthem for Zoo Freaks everywhere.

King's X began their journey in the early 1980s in Springfield, Missouri, when bassist Doug Pinnick and drummer Jerry Gaskill, who had played together in a band called The Edge, joined forces with guitarist Ty Tabor. Initially named Sneak Preview, the trio relocated to Houston, Texas, where they honed their sound, blending hard rock, progressive metal, and soul with their shared love for The Beatles and gospel music. Their big break came after signing with Megaforce Records, and their 1988 debut album Out of the Silent Planet earned critical acclaim. The 1989 follow-up, Gretchen Goes to Nebraska, built a cult following, but it was Faith Hope Love in 1990 that catapulted them to wider recognition, driven by the success of "It's Love." The band’s chemistry, rooted in their diverse influences—Pinnick’s soulful roots, Tabor’s Hendrix-inspired riffs, and Gaskill’s acrobatic drumming—created a sound that, as one Amazon reviewer put it, was like "The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix having a child with AC/DC crunch."

For more on King's X, check out their official website and connect with them on social media via Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can also join the vibrant community at the King’s X Fans Facebook Group, where Zoo Freaks and others share stories, memorabilia, and love for the band’s music. Dive into the groove and keep rocking with the Zoo Crew!