Everyone has an album that they hold near and dear to their heart. You find yourself going back to time and time again, yet it never seems to lose that initial spark that you felt when you first listened to it. After giving it much consideration, I have realized that my favorite album is King James Version, the sophomore effort from Seattle’s Harvey Danger. Many reading this article will remember the band for their brief mainstream splash that came from 1998’s “Flagpole Sitta”, a single from their debut album Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone? I remember when this song was so popular, it seemed to be on The Box (does anyone remember that music channel?) every ten minutes. However, subsequent singles failed to garner the response achieved by “Flagpole Sitta” and Harvey Danger have been written off as a one-hit wonder by most.

My history with Harvey Danger started in a similar manner as many other fans – I saw “Flagpole Sitta” more times than I can count and quickly fell in love with the song. Being roughly nine years old, I did not really have any money to buy the album and my interest in music had not yet become serious, which led to me forgetting about Harvey Danger after the song left the air. After a few years went by, I discovered Harvey Danger had released a second album and decided I just had to have a copy. Growing up in a small suburb, my selection of CD outlets were pretty limited and had poor selections. This did not stop me from browsing the CD racks hoping I would finally stumble across a copy, but my search would always end in vain. It was not until a family trip to Orlando that I finally found King James Version, and in the most unlikely of places too (a certain chain store known for smiley face stickers). I purchased the album and eagerly awaited my first listen upon returning to my hotel room.

Upon my first listen, I must be truthful and say my reactions were probably the exact same as the countless other people who were introduced to the band through “Flagpole Sitta” – I though it was terrible. In my defense, my musical tastes were pretty limited at the time. However, as is the case with many great albums, copious amounts of time and subsequent listens began to unveil a record that was both challenging and enjoyable. Harvey Danger went from being a band that played a raw but energetic style of indie rock to a band that was a lot tighter, and they crafted more refined songs and outstanding melodies. Not only that, the band’s lyrics were extremely clever and had allusions sprinkled throughout. I think that the style shift was part of the reason casual fans were driven away, leaving only the die-hard fans.

This is a shame because in my opinion, King James Version is not only the band’s strongest material, it is an outstanding record that would appeal to a wide variety of people who are interested in indie rock. The strongest moment on this record for me and the reason I love this record is the slow building yet intense “Underground”. When I listen to “Underground”, I begin waiting in anticipation of the cathartic ending almost as soon as the first note hits my ears, and when that moment finally hits it gives me goosebumps. That’s what makes an album or song special, its ability to move you emotionally every time in the same manner as the first time you heard it. This is one of the reasons King James Version sits among my favorite albums of all-time as well, because these moments are re-created every time I listen to the album. Not only that, I always notice little details each time I listen that make the album that much more enjoyable. It is also amazing that I can finally understand and love songs on the record that a few years ago I absolutely loathed.

Two years ago, Nelson wrote a blog entry about the album to mark the ten years since the album’s release. Nelson described King James Version as an album “you had to work to love”, and that is a perfect way to describe King James Version and the experience I have had with the record. Nelson also says that he sometimes thinks King James Version will attract a cult following. I do not know if the album will ever garner a large cult following, but I feel it will attract a small dedicated audience consisting of those who are willing to seek out the album or stumble upon it by chance.

Sure, I know most people will not consider King James Version isn’t exactly the greatest album of all-time, but when you take an excellent album and combine it with nostalgic memories, it creates an incredible experience.

Editor’s note – Feel free to share what other bands/albums we should revisit in the comments section.

Label: Sire

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