The whole "ex-members of" marketing campaign is starting to get out of control. The hype that surrounds these types of bands before they even release anything is ridiculous. What is the point of even reviewing them if all you ever hear is about is the artists' former endeavors? And with that question posed, I introduce you to the band Roy, whom already released three EP's on different labels since their inception, including the eye-opening Tacomatose EP on Initial Records last year.
Big City Sin And Small Town Redemption, the first full-length from the Tacoma, Washington natives, demonstrates their mastery of pop, alternative, indie and country music tones into a stunning success. Right from the start on "Something That's Real", the listener is greeted with fusion of tepid guitars and soothing melodies that bring to mind Built to Spill, and even mid-90's alternative legends The Meat Puppets at times. One song in and we're already golden. The subsequent three tracks are filled with lyrical hooks and seamless composition that sends the listener wandering through the lush woods of the picturesque Pacific Northwest. The folk-rock and country-tinged "Better Head North" is filled with soothing acoustic guitars and vocal melodies that draw influence from the likes of Neil Young and even Elvis Costello. The recipe of pop sensibility and indie-rock continues with the standout tracks "Prescription Drugs" and "Rebel Hymn", which find similarities to the works of The Weakerthans and ...Trail of Dead. Lyrically speaking the album is very diverse, moving from the whimsical "They Cut the Cord" to the serious-mattered "Never Getting Married". While there is plenty of experimentation in the songwriting, which distinguishes each song from each other, there still seems to be a small staleness. In particular, the go-between tracks can deter from the overall composition. Despite this minute flaw, Roy have quickly made the jump from promising to successful artist.
The determining factor for the majority of those interested in this band is going to be who they were prior to forming. It is refreshing to hear artists from a hardcore/metal background writing and performing music that is unique and transcends genres. But in the case of Roy, instead of living in the past, it may be more adventitious to reside here in the present.
