A gloriously assured debut
A plane crash landing towards earth, cutting short a burgeoning romance between an “American man” and a female chemistry teacher who has spent “all of her life in Lancashire”; yes, admittedly this sounds exactly like the sort of subject matter that a certain Steven Morrissey utilised to magnificently miserable effect during The Smiths pomp in the eighties. However, the fact that the debut single from hotly tipped six piece The Outside Royalty manages to make such a horrific concept sound so gloriously uplifting; is not only to the band's eternal credit, it is indicative of their joyous and astounding approach to making music.
Both tracks on this impressive debut are hugely self-assured and confident and belie their infantile status. The lead track bursts immediately into life, with a fiercely percussive intro reminiscent of ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’; before careering off at a break-neck pace. Whilst many have compared the bands madcap, yet rousing sound to that of Arcade Fire (presumably on the basis of the presence of a violin and cello), singer Adam Billing’s schmooze tinged vocals owe a great deal to Brian Ferry. Indeed, ‘Falling’ itself has a more than a passing similarity to Roxy Music, with is its arty and divergent combination of stylistic elements.
Whilst the lead track impresses with its punchiness, paunch and all out bravado; the flip-side ‘The Voice Beneath the Rubble’ is an all together more haunting affair. It’s piercing violin, creepy ensemble backing vocals and thumping tribal drums are all gradually introduced, giving the song a murky menace reminiscent of ‘The Wicker Man’ soundtrack; the track then suddenly shifts through the gears towards a suitably sudden, jaunty climax. It is a long time since the very first release from a band has been such an attention-grabbing statement of intent. If The Outside Royalty can maintain such impeccably high standards from here onwards, they will not remain outsiders for long.