More stuff people liked in 2011, part of some miniature Australian invasion that seemed to hit last year.
Royal Headache churns out a relentless stream of brash, fast, garagey punk. They balance two sides:
- post-punk backhanded aggression, sounding like a fast versions of The Jam or Gang of Four
- post-post-punk passion, closing the sincerity circle, sounding like a fast version of Hot Hot Heat or Jay Reatard. Or maybe just a regular speed version of The Thermals.
The resulting brew is a hell of a lot of fun, with perfectly inflected vocals, like Julian Casablancas decided to cut loose and give a shit for once, with all the character and cool that the comparatively flat Yuck album lacks. Urgency bursts from every pore, everything played just this side of wheels-coming-off fast, the whole thing in and out in 26 minutes, only twice cresting the 2:30 mark on song length, possibly the closest thing to a second Exploding Hearts album we'll ever get, with plenty of the same carefree 60's via 50's neon contrails.
It's a perfectly paced 26 minutes too, with two little instrumental forays proving breathers. Any chance the Pet Sounds-aping Wilson Street is a nod to Brian? Maybe that's a stretch, but its a fun little diversion, leading into one of the albums only other slow moments, the beautiful, organ slicked intro to the rollicking Honey Joy.
If the namedropping of 10 or so other bands didn't tip you off, I like this record. It owns its references, running a tight, singular, perfectly executed little route through your afternoon 4.5/5
You might like this if: you like fun, fast jangly punk shouted with winning swagger
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