by Reggie Edwards
Royal Bliss is back, and when I say that, I mean it. The band will be releasing their eighth studio album,
Waiting Out the Storm, on January 24, and let me tell you, it’s a must-buy.
It’s very similar to 2009’s
Life in Between, which had a very strong rock presence.
Waiting Out the Storm is no exception and Royal Bliss seems to pick up right where they left off in 2009.
They start the record off strong with “I Got This,” a fast-paced good-old-fashioned sex song. That’s what rock and roll is all about right?- Sex, drugs and rock and roll; perfect way to start the album off if you ask me.
Honestly, the album picks up on track three, “Bleed My Soul,” a soft-ballad-type song that reminds me of something you would have heard at the original Woodstock. I’ll be shocked if that song doesn’t blow up the radio soon.
“Wake Up” is another soft-rock-type song, a little heavier than “Bleed My Soul” but still solid.
Just when you think it’s going to be softer songs throughout the record, Royal Bliss comes right back at you with “Smile,” a song that you think will be just like the previous few based on the name.
Quite the contrary, the song starts and you get front man Neil Middleton’s voice haunting through the speakers, very softly saying “lead me to my grave…”
Then it hits- the booming rock that we got on the first two tracks. “Lead me to my grave with a smile on your face. I wonder what you’ll say with a smile, with a smile,” says the chorus; definitely one of my favorites.
This might be the best work Royal Bliss has done to date. There’s not a dull moment on the record and they do an exquisite job of balancing rock anthems with rock ballads. These rock veterans are on their game with
Waiting Out the Storm and you would be an idiot not to pick up this record.
Rating: 9/10