Glassnote

Knoxville, Tenn. threesome Royal Bangs was originally discovered by Black Keys’ drummer Patrick Carney, who signed them to his own label for two albums and produced its last disc, Let It Beep. Of course, Royal Bangs, who recently inked a deal with Glassnote, don’t sound like Carney’s band – but the overall musical sensibility is not that different. “Bad News, Strange Luck” marries experimental guitar sounds and raw drums, building from a slow, pensive track to a raucous number filled with noodling guitars. On “Back Then It Was Different,” a fuzzy indie rock number, the musicians build an almost claustrophobic soundscape, cramming the track full of sound. The album repeatedly shifts from buoyant rock song to hushed indie rock number, but always finds one constant – the band’s overwhelming energy.