The fifth album from Malmo based rockers Royal Republic shows that the time away from the studio has been well spent. Club Majesty is the culmination of some serious work by Adam Grahn (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Hannes Irengård (lead guitar, backing vocals), Jonas Almén (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Per Andreasson (drums, backing vocals). Although the opener ‘Fireman and Dancer’ needs a couple of listens to sink in properly, you cannot help being drawn in by the non-conformist riff and chorus. ‘Can’t Fight The Disco’ is another challenge at first… it becomes enthralling however as the ‘heavy-rock-disco’ beat gets into your brain. They name check a few heinous crimes against music in the lyrics, which are semi rapped. It all sounds awful put like that, but it isn’t! Think Zappa styled irony on the genre. ‘Boomerang’ changes into Zappa (again) meets Dr Feelgood and is a load of funky fun. I really shouldn’t like this as much as I do – it blurs and mangles genres and plays on many a cliché, and yet it is a blast from start to finish with lots to be gleaned from the instrumentation. ‘Like A Lover’ has lyrics like “feeling shitty in the city” and it just gets better as the staccato riff builds and is on repeat already for me. ‘Blunt Force Trauma’ continues the pace and humour with moogs and horns and is another irresistible song for chrissake! ‘Flower Power Madness’ repeats the formula and again brings a smile to your face. ‘Anna Leigh’ is more funk and fun. Closer ‘Bulldog’ saves the best to last… it has so much humour as he sings to his best friend, and the chorus of “bu-bu-bulldog” should be laughable but it works!
This album of 11 tracks, not one of which tops four minutes, and yet the band pack in more smiles per minute than anyone around at the moment. I keep returning to the fact that I shouldn’t like this, but I damn will do… and so will you if you listen beyond the first impression. It is a funky, rocky, tongue in cheek piece of class.
