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Not to be confused with hardboiled swingers Royal Crown Revue, or Boston's Amazing Royal Crowns. Like the Boston band, Toronto scene fixtures Royal Crowns crack open a king can of kick-ass rockabilly.
Gravediggaz The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel (Gee-Street) With the Rza's help, Prince Paul, Frukwan and Poetic have dug themselves into a focused soundscape of lyrical insight and reflection. The Freddy Kruger mindset from the first album is gone, replaced by a spiritual array of prediction, action and reaction. Although I prefer the chop 'n' slash production of their first effort, the simple uniformity of the beats on this record reinforces a new lyrical level that should save them from an early grave. 7/10 (Scott C) MASE Harlem World (Bad Boy/BMG) Bad Boy's new main boy has a lot going for him: he's Puff Daddy's right-hand man as of late, he's had a couple of hot jiggy singles in the last year, and loads of cameos and exposure. I just wish I could sit through one of his songs. His nasal monotone flow is charming, even playful at times, but if this is where hip hop is going, then I'm definitely going somewhere else. If you're down with that Bad Boy disco-bounce, then don't miss this. But please keep it away from me. 5/10 (Scott C) Judas Priest Jugulator (BMG) Saxon Unleash the Beast (BMG)
These two releases from two once-great bands show the dinosaur of heavy metal has indeed awaken. But unfortunately, it re-appears as a drowsy lummox on Nyquil. Judas Priest try to restate their claim as kings of heavy without original singer Rob Halford but fall flat. As for Saxon, they've trashed the idea of writing anthems for disenfranchised suburban teens (like the classic "Denim and Leather") in favour of writing tired commercial metal retreads with heavy metal staple titles (like "All Hell Breaking Loose"). In a nutshell, both releases are as bad as having drunken sex with an ex-lover. Clumsy, predictable and uncomfortable. Both albums: 3/10 (Johnson Cummins)
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The Royal Crowns 32 Miles From Memphis (Horseshoe)
Competent musicians all, the Royal Crowns play with remarkable verve and energy, but it never comes off as forced, even on high-velocity hip-shakers like "Goonie Bird," or the hormone fuelled grinder "Aaahh!" Unlike much of the post-Horton Heat distortobilly that's all the rage these days, the Royal Crowns stick to vintage twang, vibrato and thumpin' stand-up bass. The clincher is the freaky, tweaky sci-fi ditty "Heavenly Body From Outerspace." Love it! 8.5/10 (Rupert Bottenberg)