Royal Tusk's first full length album, DealBreaker is a monumental step for a heavyweight band moving from their first EP to a colossal full length record. The production from Eric Ratz (Billy Talent, Big Wreck) marks a slick new deal for the five piece which will more than likely propel them to the brink of stardom.
Any attempt in categorizing Royal Tusk's sound all together would result in a swing and a miss, but if you're listening to anything along the lines of unswerving rock with a touch of soul, I guarantee, Royal Tusk is playing it better than anyone else you may be listening to right now. DealBreaker arcs from bombastic to meditative qualities and back again in one very cohesive offering. As soon as the listener pins Royal Tusk down, they slide into genre bending melodies & rhythms that shake up the foundation set down. DealBreakers is all at once a familiar sounding affair yet keeps the listener on the edge, waiting to find out what path they'll be lead down next.
Like a light passing through the sound of a distorted guitar, the band peeks through to present the opening track, Dynamo. If you can imagine stepping into a warm bath of waveform, you may already be accustomed to what is about to come. There is a certain comfortable quality to Royal Tusk's time honoured fusion of grunge, rock and pop. Don't get too comfortable, however. DealBreaker serves more as a musical roller-coaster ride than tea cups.
What separates the band from their genre's imposters is a well-oiled mastery of their instruments. Carried by Daniel Carriere on guitar and Sandy MacKinnon on bass, DealBreaker is a powerful beast of an album relying on the garage band sound of old, coupled with the idea that the band could come up with an entirely new genre a few albums from now. Nothing like the sounds of pianos and organs to go with catchy guitar licks played so ably by all involved.
On, 'Don't Get Me Wrong', Carriere shows us the kind of range and playfulness a rock star needs to succeed. From the sublimely sweet, possibly even cute, to a growling presence the likes of Dave Grohl or Chris Cornell, Carriere has a bit of everything in his vocal kit bag. He and the band present many shades through the 11-song collection, making the listening of DealBreaker a bit of a treasure hunt with an X marking all sorts of 'spots' for everyone who participates.
On the title track, the band's metaphoric 'pirate's booty' is overwhelmingly lustrous, imaginative and thrilling. Is it blues, funk, soul, ballad, pure pop tune or all of the above? Once you've made your decision you'll be treated to something of a detour of a guitar solo and then you'll want to listen again to all that went on.
When someone offers candy, take a big bite and enjoy. Royal Tusk have some candy for you and it comes in all forms of rock, though somehow stays in league with a single auditory mission. Summers coming. Grab this album and play it loud.
-- Val Christopher
Listen Now
On Capital City Records!
Listen Now
On Capital City Records!