Customer Reviews

Alone at the Microphone

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I was upset to look and see only 1 review of this fine album, so I thought I'd do my duty and contribute. This is a Candadian indie-folk group with some very catchy songs and occasionally morbid and interesting lyrics - the guitar and banjo are prevelant - the songs are familiar sounding yet original - the vocalist doesn't have the prettiest voice, it's rather flat sounding actually, but he carries off the songs well with a grace and deadpan type of humor - for fans of Sufjan Stevens, Jim Guthrie (whose in the group), Animal Collective, or Wilco - check this out - A very consistent and enjoyable album from up North! Enjoy!

Royal City's 2001 release "Alone at the Microphone" is a record that embraces dichotomies. The album opens with the romping "Bad Luck" whose lyrics ("I met you in the alley / all covered in maggots") set a tone that is present through the rest of the album, though in an abstract way. "Dank is the Air of Death and Loathing" carries a similar sound and equally jarring lyrics, yet still manages to have a deceptively upbeat feel. "You Are the Vine," on the other hand, is an almost-ballad that, depending on interpretation, could have either a romantic or religious bend ("I am the Vine / You are the branches / Those who follow me / Will have eternal life" is a traditional Christian hymn). Meshing their offbeat lyrics with an offbeat twangy sound makes for a true keeper.

I heard a few songs by these guys on the internet radio and picked it up on a lark, and on the first listen I was floored. This is great stuff. Folky, sometimes sad, acoustic music, with great production and instrumentation. Sometimes it's really catchy, and other times it's just good music that makes you stop what you're doing and listen. The banjos sound great too. A great CD. I don't know why this isn't better known.