ROYAL BEAT CONSPIRACY
Dig It! (Bad Afro Records)
Reviewed by Alan Wright

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The Swedish Invasion continues with another interesting band. These guys mine a different musical territory than bands like the Hellacopters, Flaming Sideburns, Sahara Hotnights and Hives, though. Their sound is a potpourri of soul, funk, garage rock, psychedelia, and those soundtracks to softcore Euro sex flics. Mostly guitar/bass/organ/drums, with flourishes of horns, flutes and "spacey" kind of keyboard effects. When I first played this, I wasn't really sure what to make of it, but with repeated plays I have found it growing on me. One thing is certain: these cats can take a "groove" and really work it. I haven't heard their debut, but apparently since that they added a permanent Hammond organ/electric piano player, which they definitely use to their advantage here. It's pretty slickly produced, maybe a tad too much in places, but overall pretty good. Songs like "Soulshake" and "(No No No) I Can't Take It Anymore" are really groovy, but I think my favorite song is the fast-paced and garage-rockin' "Super Sweet."

© 2003 - Alan Wright