Medway, Kent’s Theatre Royal has just released their super fine sixth album, after a recording delay. With moving lyrics and stirring melodies, this recording will have you sighing with sad memories even as your feet start tapping. The band’s lead single ‘Welsh Coastal Towns’ sure had me thinking, as I often see in myself aspects of both my long passed parents in a passing smile or in my gaze. So when they talk about looking at their hands and seeing their father’s, it sure struck a chord in me. You get to a certain age when family and friends start leaving this world, and you are struck by certain things as referenced here.
Opening track ‘In Time’ is sweet and lovely, with a wonderful vocal turn from Oliver Burgess. It has a memorable chorus and some really swell sax lines from new member Chris Kingman! ‘Souvenir’ has a rollicking beat and has hit single written all over it. Just great!
‘Lives Entwined’ reminds me of long joined partners, and the sad bits that happen over time. Illness, dementia, and so many other robbers of the people we love. Very emotional and rather melancholy, coupled with a great melody. ‘Feet First’ is just beautiful, reminding me a tad of Pete Astor’s work with The Loft, or even a little of The Go Betweens. ‘If I Fall’ is another memorable song, with reflective lyrics that really make you ponder your own life.
‘Thrown Up Grown Up’ seems to describe a lost soul, an adult that still hasn’t figured out their life. ‘Never Understood It’ is insanely catchy, and its captivating melody will grab you and never let go. ‘Saturday Son’ reminds me of happier times with my own child, who grew up before my eyes in a flash. ‘Me and You’ starts with a bit of trippiness and quickly morphs into a first rate pop tune. I like the keyboard work on here too. The final song in this suite has a full Stax-Volt treatment, rousing and a blast to listen to. This is another great recording from a terrific band, and is not to be missed!
