King of Fools (album)
| King of Fools | ||||
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| Studio album by Delirious? | ||||
| Released | 16 June 1997 | |||
| Recorded | December 1996 – January 1997 | |||
| Studio | Beltwood House (London, UK) | |||
| Genre | Rock, Christian rock | |||
| Length | 61:34 | |||
| Label | Furious? Records | |||
| Producer | Andy Piercy and Delirious? | |||
| Delirious? chronology | ||||
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| Singles from King of Fools | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| christianmusic.org |   |
| Cross Rhythms | (10/10) |
| HM | (not rated) |
| Jesus Freak Hideout |
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| MTV | (Mixed) |
| The Phantom Tollbooth |
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King of Fools is an album by British rock band Delirious?, initially released in June 1997. The full-length project showcased a new mainstream sound, whilst retaining many of the core themes found in their Cutting Edge EPs. Stylistically, the album epitomises the band's similarity to U2, an influence which was highlighted by several critics on release. King of Fools reached No. 13 in the UK album chart, a career high for the band, and produced four singles. The second, "Deeper", peaked at No. 20 on the UK singles chart on 11 May 1997. It also includes what is possibly the best known Delirious? song, "History Maker", which the band regularly played live throughout their whole career. The album was listed at No. 85 in the 2001 book, CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. The album was nominated for a Grammy.
Delirious? were originally known as "The Cutting Edge Band" before 1996. They played regularly at the "Cutting Edge" Christian events held in their hometown of Littlehampton. In August 1995, a major car accident involving lead singer Martin Smith, his wife, and bassist Jon Thatcher, left the former was badly injured. The song "August 30th" was inspired by these events. Smith went through a period of depression, before being partly inspired by Bill Flanagan's book U2: At the End of the World, which he read in hospital, to take the band full-time. The members of the band decided to resign from their respective jobs and become professional musicians. Delirious? soon began working on songs for their first full studio album.
After making their first release as Delirious?, a live album titled Live & In the Can, the band set up recording equipment in Beltwood House, London. The album was recorded between 1 December 1996 and 28 January 1997 using an Otari Radar. The album was produced by Andy Piercy, who had previously produced the band's four Cutting Edge EPs. After the release of two singles, the latter of which, "Deeper", stayed in the UK singles charts for three weeks running, the band released the full-length album to the UK market in June 1997. After this, Delirious? took part in an extensive promotional campaign which included playing to 50,000 fans at London's Wembley Stadium, and an appearance on Channel 4's The Big Breakfast programme. The record charted at No. 13 in the UK charts, having held the widweek position of No. 10. It dropped to No. 58 in its second week, before charting at No. 70 in its third week.
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