Originally released by the band itself in 2006, “We Breed Champions” was then re-released in 2008 through Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney’s label Audio Eagle Records only to take up ‘til now to finally get a release in Europe. The band is already working on a new album as we speak.
With bands like TV On The Radio, Bloc Party, The Killers and other bands combining electronics with rock music and gaining star status, it’s weird that it took these guys so long to release their album over here but oh well. These Tennessee natives might not be as good as Bloc Party but they are definitely better than The Killers. Then again, even a newborn baby crying sounds better than The Killers.
Anyway, Royal Bangs are sure to please their share of young ones’ hearts with their lo-fi electronics-enhanced brand of rock. It comes with recalcitrant guitars, uncooperative bleeps and while that doesn’t sound good on its own, it somehow all works out with some pop sensibility injected. Even tremendously so in a song like “Cat Swallow”. They also have the whole Pavement sloppiness shtick going on (“Russia Helps”) which helps them even more.
Basically when you leave out the electronic experimentation, you’re listening to a very solid garage band that hits more often than they miss so we’ll gladly forgive them for “Japanese Cars” which sounds like Sigur Ros’ retarded cousin and expectantly look forward to their new album
Score: 8 out of 10
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http://www.royalbangs.com
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