Reigning Sound
Abdication... For Your Love

Say what you will, but even the grungiest garage rocker has, deep down, a tender heart—capable of being moved and amazed by sixties melodies and pop, and going wild at the sound of an organ. Don't believe it? You're wrong, and to prove you wrong, I'll just say one name: Greg "Oblivian" Cartwright, whose grungy garage identity can't be doubted by anyone.

Yet for about a decade now, good old Greg and his Reigning Sound (arguably the best garage band currently around) have been carrying on an excellent mix of garage, rock'n'roll, pop, country, soul, and a pinch of punk (just a pinch, mind you, so as not to forget their roots) that's capable of delighting even the most unruly punk garage rocker, those who drool over the Oblivians, Mummies, Rip Offs, New Bomb Turks, and the like (yes, I'm speaking from personal experience).

As I said, the Reigning Sound has been playing for 10 years, and after 4 albums, plus a singles collection and an exceptional LP accompanying Mary Weiss (and here I toot my own horn a bit, but the record really deserves to be known), they brought out this EP of a full 8 tracks.
What can I say, the sound is that classic Reigning Sound enchanting mix that, without getting caught up in definitions or the various genres that intersect in the record, can simply be defined as rock'n'roll, but the good kind, really good kind.

It gets off to a great start with Lyin' Girl, a garage punk piece with the organ front and center that can make anyone shake their hips, and that's just the beginning. The album flows beautifully, alternating between pop and sixties ballads (Everything I Do Is Wrong, Eve, Not Far Away) and more driven garage rock'n'roll pieces (Shaw, Watching My Baby, Can't Hold On) with Dave Amels' trusty organ creating an enveloping and delightful atmosphere.
In short, an album that's practically perfect, rough and sweet at the same time, like every rock'n'roll record should be.
Still not convinced? Well, I’ll add that this EP (hoping a vinyl version comes out someday) is available for free on the Scion AV website—a perfect gift for their 10-year career anniversary. Thank you, Greg, thank you, Reigning Sound, cheers and a toast to you.