A Little More Time with Reigning Sound, Reigning Sound

A Little More Time with Reigning Sound, Reigning Sound, 2021, :37

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

The first Reigning Sound record I listened to (2002's Time Bomb High School) was, I thought, a refreshing blast of garage rock. This one is a stylistic leap ahead, shedding the garage label and settling into just damn fine pop-rock.  There are hints of the old garage sound, but also bits of country (like on "Moving and Shaking") and some jangle-rock as well.  Overall, it's more polished, which normally I don't use as a compliment, but it's the best way I can think of to describe how the songwriting has blossomed.  The vocals aren't as gritty and the lyrics are more worldly and plaintive.  Favorite tracks: "Let's Do It Again," "A Little More Time," "Just Say When," "You Don't Know What You're Missing."

Time Bomb High School, Reigning Sound

Time Bomb High School, Reigning Sound, 2002, :37

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Terrific garage punk by a band I've never heard of.  They open with a garage-rock cover of "Stormy Weather" and make it sound like their own, and you know this is something special.  They're rebuilding the British Invasion for the modern era, all superb energy, ragged Jagger-like vocals, and crackling guitars.  Favorite tracks: "Stormy Weather," "Brown Paper Sack" (another cover), "Time Bomb High School."