Reigning Sound
Time Bomb High School
In The Red

If you hear from other sources that their garage blues style draws from The Beatles and Rolling Stones, I want you to be aware that Reigning Sound do sound a lot like them.  And by them, I mean Them, the band that launched Van Morrison and a rich source of sampling for Beck.  Sure the Stones get a nod in the sleazy “Reptile Style.”  But this is a more urgent energy than the self-serving numbers those Brits are known for.  And rather than puzzling half-stories, these spry lyrics relate.  Greg Cartwright’s variable speed of rock had me wondering if two vocalists were involved.  At times he’s howling well placed syllables that leave him gasping for breath.  Then he’s emoting a teenage nervousness like a reluctant singer/songwriter.  Whatever tone he takes fits the package of the song and provides immediacy and nice tension.

The lung-scraping fifties revival of “Stormy Weather” is just the sort of thing Them liked to do.  The Kinks are referenced for the gritty “Straight Shooter” which wastes no time getting on with the rocking. “You’re Not As Pretty” is itself a pretty and slower number.  The deliberate vocals give the impression he’s working the guitar in real time.  A subtle touch like that adds an organic effect.  The brash cover of “Brown Paper Sack” is dangerous like a wounded animal.  The boys rally to support their comrade on a done-somebody- wrong song with plenty of leg-pumping action.  Things get intimate with “Wait And See” and “I Walk By Your House.”  The pair honors Nilsson and his admirer Bowie respectively. The Ramonesque title track supports amusing lyrics, Waiting for summer/I’m just biding my time/hoping some spaz don’t lose his mind/down at the Time Bomb High School.  The delivery alludes to the Springsteen/Ramones connection during this straight-outta-Breakfast Club tune. 

“She’s Bored With You” comes with deft Warren Zevon style.  A fine example of Cartwright’s fast-paced vocal antics which will be appreciated by Lipgloss DJ Michael.  Let this be a lesson to each Romeo and hipster/you’ll have to do much better if you want to date my sister.  Ladies choice on the slow dance “I’m Holding Out.”  The Roy Orbison progression fits in nicely for high school reunions.  Keep her head on your shoulder for the slightly more modern “I Don’t Know How To Tell You” and “Dressy.”  Light country-folk gives an early seventies feel.  The girl gets the brush-off with the organ heavy, “I’d much Rather Be With The Boys.” Speaking of organ, “You’re So Strange” has a killer Hammond backing a Yardbirds sound.  The guitars follow a filthy downward path to “For Your Love.”  This song is just begging for handclaps.

It’ll be a shame if the mature songwriting and authentic sound of Time Bomb High School doesn’t garner it the attention it deserves.  The mixture of mellow and manic should have a broad appeal.  But in these days of specialization, that’s an ironically limiting quality.

— Ewan Wadharmi

Track List:

1. Stormy Weather
2. Straight Shooter
3. You’re Not As Pretty
4. Brown Paper Sack
5. Wait And See
6. I Walk By Your House
7. Time Bomb High School
8. I Don’t Believe
9. She’s Bored With You
10. Reptile Style
11. I’m Holding Out
12. I Don’t Know How To Tell You
13. Dressy
14. I’d Much Rather Be With The Boys 
15. You’re So Strange

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