3/15/2023 0 Comments Tuns duly noted![]() Waterhouse’s fifth full-length album offers more of the blend of Phil Spector-ish pop and retro soul that has become his trademark. The songs on “Chapter Three” often come with creative instrumental parts that add rich texture to what is a timeless gem of a pop-rock album. But the band’s strong suit may be in crafting songs (“You Sure Can’t Blame Her,” “Independence Well Spent,” “The Painter” and “Make Things Up”) with easier-going tempos, ample melody and just enough edge to avoid slipping into light pop territory. A couple of rockers, “Light up the Sky” and “Please Make a Sound,” are highlights. With Andy Reed coming aboard, the trio quickly found a chemistry that remains intact on “Chapter Three,” the third release from the group. ![]() The three Michigan-based band members of the Legal Matters aren’t new to the pop/rock scene, with Keith Klingensmith and Chris Richards both having been in the groups Hippodrome and the Phenomenal Cats. The Legal Matters' new release is “Chapter Three” (Contributed photo) The Legal Matters: “Chapter Three” It should be noted this is not the first time Royal Blood have incorporated synth-ish tones to their songs such touches popped up on a couple of occasions on the band’s 2017 album, “How Did We Get So Dark.” But the non-guitar tones are more common on “Typhoons,” and they enrich this strong group of songs without overshadowing the band’s distinctive guitar-and-drums sound. What hasn’t changed is that Kerr and Thatcher continue to write songs that are as catchy as they are edgy and rocking. There’s even a piano ballad, “All We Have Is Now,” which marks a near-total departure from this otherwise rocking, effects-laden album. The song “Typhoon” also has some shimmery synthy sounds that bubble up around the hooky guitar/bass riffs. On “Either You Want It,” keyboard parts play an equal role with guitar in making up the instrumental backdrop to vocals that shift into a catchy falsetto for the chorus. On “Million and One,” several synth parts add melodic interest to this tart rocker. Yes, the bass/guitar and drums sound remains intact, but frequently, Royal Blood expands their sonic palate. Royal Blood: “Typhoons”įollowing in the footsteps of the rocking duos like the White Stripes and early Black Keys, this duo of Mike Kerr (who plays bass that he can make sound like a bass and electric guitar at the same time) and drummer Ben Thatcher have further modernized their fuzzed-up rock sound on “Typhoons,” their third album as Royal Blood. ![]() There’s high-powered rock, a pair of excellent guitar pop albums, some retro pop, and soul and country that rocks as hard as it twangs across five worthy albums. This week’s selection of album reviews covers a good deal of stylistic ground.
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