Blake Solomon
10/05/09, 02:34 PM
U.S. Royalty – Midsommar EP
Record Label: Engine Room Recordings
Release Date: August 25 (Digital) / October 6 (Vinyl)
Who?
You kind of already know U.S. Royalty's brothers John and Paul Thornley. Their indie rock concoctions recall a slew of “more famous” artists like later (i.e. terrible) The Killers, Art Brut and Scissors For Lefty. They are Vampire Weekend if VW creamed over northwest Arkansas instead of Africa.
How Is It?
Four songs plus a remix by that hoodlum in Passion Pit (Bo Flex) and I’m already bored. “Every Summer” is the album’s only high point. Brother John calls us to attention with the strained lines, “Every summer we go forth / Cutting timber from the north / And we stay almost every day.” Everything from the slightly fuzzy guitar melodies to the utterly rough cymbal treatment exudes a carefree theme that’s perfectly relatable. U.S. Royalty have other brief moments, and this release is one hell of a stepping stone. “Where Are You Now” has an enticing lyrical hook from John, but the boring drumming and over-grunged guitar licks completely drown him out. “Keep It Cool” is drummer Luke Adams’ chance to prove his inherent rhythmic capabilities; if only the guitars weren’t so elementary.
Creating a complete song must be tough! U.S. Royalty have the necessary skill sets (the piano-led outro to “Keep It Cool” nearly saves the song’s overly simplified composition), and maybe an overhead view of their sound will more successfully pinpoint both their successes and failures (like noticing John’s unbelievable wail on “Rats”). They’ll make it, just not right now.
Recommended If You Like: new The Killers, Scissors For Lefty, Dr. BS, Art Brut + America, front wheel drive
www.myspace.com/usroyalty
Record Label: Engine Room Recordings
Release Date: August 25 (Digital) / October 6 (Vinyl)
Who?
You kind of already know U.S. Royalty's brothers John and Paul Thornley. Their indie rock concoctions recall a slew of “more famous” artists like later (i.e. terrible) The Killers, Art Brut and Scissors For Lefty. They are Vampire Weekend if VW creamed over northwest Arkansas instead of Africa.
How Is It?
Four songs plus a remix by that hoodlum in Passion Pit (Bo Flex) and I’m already bored. “Every Summer” is the album’s only high point. Brother John calls us to attention with the strained lines, “Every summer we go forth / Cutting timber from the north / And we stay almost every day.” Everything from the slightly fuzzy guitar melodies to the utterly rough cymbal treatment exudes a carefree theme that’s perfectly relatable. U.S. Royalty have other brief moments, and this release is one hell of a stepping stone. “Where Are You Now” has an enticing lyrical hook from John, but the boring drumming and over-grunged guitar licks completely drown him out. “Keep It Cool” is drummer Luke Adams’ chance to prove his inherent rhythmic capabilities; if only the guitars weren’t so elementary.
Creating a complete song must be tough! U.S. Royalty have the necessary skill sets (the piano-led outro to “Keep It Cool” nearly saves the song’s overly simplified composition), and maybe an overhead view of their sound will more successfully pinpoint both their successes and failures (like noticing John’s unbelievable wail on “Rats”). They’ll make it, just not right now.
Recommended If You Like: new The Killers, Scissors For Lefty, Dr. BS, Art Brut + America, front wheel drive
www.myspace.com/usroyalty