Rooted in passionate storytelling, this is the kind of music you want to groove to, and don’t be fooled by the first song – this is most definitely a rock album. There is a theatrical nature to the album and its songs. In the song “Not So Fast,” we slow it right down to a close-your-eyes-and-sway piano intro that makes you want to fall asleep to gospel rock and be woken up by the break of sun on the horizon.
Not an easy feat to achieve and thus, a notable one, coining this album, officially, with the theatrics worthy of a rock-opera. The use of unique electronic support instruments are gleefully noted, with a particular shout out to the choral influence in the fourth song. “DealBreaker” is slower than expected, but insistent in dance-worthy rhythm and all the good feels – no song of this nature is complete without some good guitar shredding and a playful, jazzy, whistle-ending to finish off an emotional song.
The album right back into it with a driving second last song, “Above Ground” and finally finishing the album with 6 minutes and 18 seconds of softness and nostalgia with “So Long the Buildup.” Be whisked away by the story that Royal Tusk sends you home with, but of course not before a gut-wrenching guitar solo. There is contrast but also fluidity between the delivery of the songs throughout, making it a dynamic album in its entirety. Each song is unique within its own right; even while mixing in tasteful intricacy to each one, they manage to keep the album groovy and moving. Royal Tusk knows their sound and how to manipulate it. (Self-released, royaltusk.com) Talula Schlegel