February Birthdays 
Wow! I just got my copy of Black Sweater Massacre by The Reigning Monarchs and I'm loving it. This record is magnificent, in the truest meaning of the word, which means "serving to magnify". Magnify they do, this record is HUGE! The Reigning Monarchs and their Kickstarter supporters certainly got their money's worth on the production on this, it's like cinemascope for your ears.
The band had a huge successful crowdsource campaign, which gave them a generous budget in the studio, but much credit for the success of the production has to go to the arrangements, which deftly leave lots of sonic space and give your ears lots to play with, while never overloading your brain. You'd think with all the instrumentation going on and the relative freedom in the studio, the album would start to sink under it's own weight, but they skillfully avoided that pitfall. These songs don't require strict attention by the listener, they flow easily through your ears and get right in your bones. Perfect for listening while driving or working, but just as perfect cranked at your next party.
The Reigning Monarchs are not a surf band per se, they're a guitar led instro band that has lots of surfy elements, much like Los Straitjackets can be described in similar fashion. What sets the RM's apart is: their energy level is very high, exposing a history of punk rock and/or metal influences. A tendency to swing, with the exception of their 3 Ska style songs, the album ranges from shuffle to heavy swinging. And finally, the use of a horn section to great effect. Punctuating throughout, sometimes taking the fore, it's truly glorious. What's even more amazing, all the horns were just one person - unbelievable!
Kudos must go to Michael Eisenstein who not only played lead guitar and helped write the songs, but he produced, engineer and mixed the album. And Greg Behrendt who is the driving force behind this great new(ish) instro band, and is a particularly good yeller 
You can check it out at http://music.thereigningmonarchs.com/ and download the album for a mere $7. Do it!
—Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
Last edited: Sep 24, 2013 00:48:45
