Before reading the press release heralding The Outside Royalty’s debut single, the similarity with both Arcade Fire and Roxy Music was apparent. It was reassuring to later discover that this is not the first review to mention those three bands in the same sentence.
In certain respects, it is inevitable that with a violin and cello featuring prominently then reference to the former band will be made. Likewise, the vocal style of Adam Billing, particularly in the verses of ‘Falling’ is inescapably in the same soft and harmoniously discordant tones of Bryan Ferry.
However, it is the combination of the two comparisons that make ‘Falling’ such a unique and interesting track. It veers away from the realms of ‘copy cat’ and enters the territory of innovation. From the Joy Division-esque opening seconds, through the stomping, powerful beat to the sweet swirling violin and cello and clear concise vocals, this is definite National daytime radio material. Whether the producers of National daytime radio deem it ‘cool’ enough is another matter altogether. Their loss!
Opening with the lines ‘In silence, in sadness, the rescue wanes amidst the madness,’ ‘Voice Beneath The Rubble’ reflects an altogether darker and sombre mood. Again, the cello and violin play a major part in this rather desolate sounding, yet powerful song. The chorus vocals have a rather ‘severe’ almost Eastern Bloc / Cold War Russian feel to them, but the beauty of this track is that it has the distinct ability to conjure images in the mind of the listener, and in so doing will be open to differing personal interpretations.