Music From The Reigns Beyond
Label: Hellcat Records
For a few years now Tim Armstrong’s Hellcat records has been churning out quality punk, ska and psychobilly records, and here is another. Music from The Reigns Beyond is the fourth full-length on Hellcat from US psychobilly’s Tiger Army and was produced by Jerry Finn who has also worked with Morrissey, Rancid and AFI.
Since the release of their 1st self-titled album, Tiger Army have built up an army of dedicated fans through their lyrics of frustration, loneliness, despair and lost love, with a hardcore few who chose to wear the bands signature ‘Tiger Bat’ across their chests for life.
After a prelude in the shape of Signal Return, the album soon kicks in with some fast, double-bass slapping, psychobilly action complete with Whoa-ohs and Heys (which lets be honest – we all love) Hotprowl starts off the album the way I wanted this to go on but it doesn’t really get much better than this, although that said, this not a bad album. This album has similarities to all pervious albums and also a newer poppier sound, even a song in Spanish. In usual TA style, Nick 13’s lyrics generally have a dark theme and are well written.
As The Cold Rain Falls sees the band take a totally new direction with a very Cure-esque sound. The best tracks on this album are Hotprowl, Ghosts Of Memory and Pain which really make this album worth buying. If you like your psychobilly in the vein of Demented Are Go! Then I would give this album a miss but if The Horrorpops, Nekromantics or AFI are your thing, this maybe the one for you.
TIGER ARMY NEVER DIE!
