Album Review - Royal Blood / Royal Blood

It seems as though I have been writing a lot of album reviews lately.  There is a good reason for that.

The music that is coming out right now is killer.

I can't remember the last time that I was this excited about a series of releases.  Ryan Adams, Jenny Lewis, The New Pornographers, and a host of other have me chomping at the bit.  But there was one that I wasn't expecting that blew me away. 

Royal Blood.

I haven't been excited over a sound like this since Wolfmother.  It is the return of garage rock but with a twist.  There is something about their sound that is darker.

That sound could be a result of this being a two piece outfit.  Drummer Ben Thatcher and singer/bassist Mike Kerr.  That is it.  A drummer and a bassist.  That allows them to give you the dirtiness of Death From Above 1979 and the pure rock of The Strokes.  All of this and they manage to sound like a full band as well.  It is rock turned up to 11.  It is a unique mix that you just do not here today.

After the first song, 'Out of the Black' I was hoping that they weren't just a flash in the pan.  But they deliver.  Track after track.  It is Black Sabbath meets Jack White.  Just pure rock with a blues foundation.  All that with an edge.  A dark edge.  It only works because of solid songwriting and good lyrics.

"How did it feel when it came alive and took you
Out of the black?
It broke your skin and shook through
Every part of me, every part of you

You made a fool out of me
And took the skin off my back running
So don't breathe when I talk
'Cause you haven't been spoken to
I got a gun for a mouth and a bullet with your name on it
But a trigger for a heart beating blood from an empty pocket"

They have already won the hearts of fellow Brits Arctic Monkeys.  I can see why.  That is a strong backing to have.

I loved the last phase of garage rock.  The Strokes, The Hives, The Vines.  But it did get old.  After a while it all started to sound the same.  The Strokes tried to reinvent themselves and at the same time changed what made them the strokes.  There is a fine line of being original and staying true to who you are.  I love the original take that Royal Blood brings to this.  But can they maintain it.

I hope that their next step is a good one because right now all that they touch is gold.  I am living in their moment.  And it is a damn good moment.

See you when the needle drops!

Fran

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