King Cool
Donnie Iris · 1981
44 min · 10 tracks · rock music
A vibrant blend of melodic rock and pop hooks that captures the spirit of early '80s radio.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Love Is Like a Rock — This track became Iris's signature song, known for its infectious chorus and energetic guitar riffs that exemplify his rock style.
-
→
Sweet Merilee — Opening the album, this song sets a lively tone with its catchy melody and nostalgic lyrics about love, capturing listeners immediately.
-
→
Color Me Blue — With its introspective lyrics and emotional delivery, this track showcases Iris's ability to balance upbeat arrangements with deeper themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
King Cool showcases catchy melodies and solid rock arrangements but lacks standout depth or innovation.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature upbeat tempos and strong guitar riffs, establishing a lively opening.
- The final track, 'The Last to Know,' closes with a fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of resolution.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- catchy anthems for road trips
- nostalgic vibes for sunny days
- emotive storytelling with hooks
- sing-along moments with friends
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek experimental soundscapes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- King Cool marked Donnie Iris's third studio album, following his successful debut, Back on the Streets, in 1980. By this time, Iris had begun to establish his sound within the rock genre, showcasing his knack for catchy melodies and relatable lyrics.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joe Walsh· Todd Rundgren· The Cars
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Sweet Merilee 3:41
- 2 The Promise 4:08
- 3 Pretender 5:13
- 4 Love Is Like a Rock 3:38
- 5 That’s the Way Love Ought to Be 4:22
- 6 My Girl 4:00
- 7 Broken Promises 4:19
- 8 King Cool 4:06
- 9 Color Me Blue 5:19
- 10 The Last to Know 5:19
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.