The Reigning Sound

With only three studio efforts to its name, the Reigning Sound is already issuing its second official live album. Of course, some bands shine so bright on-stage, it's hard to blame folks for trying to capture it on tape. Although Live at Maxwell's was released in 2005, the band recorded Live at Goner Records later that year -- with no studio album in between. The album was recorded during an in-store performance at Memphis' Goner Records, owned by Eric Friedl (who spent time with Reigning Sound leader Greg Cartwright in garage-punk trio, the Oblivians). The record shop was formerly helmed by Cartwright and under the Legba banner. In addition to the history floating around the storefront, the Memphis show was something of a homecoming for Cartwright, a native who had recently relocated to Asheville, NC. The hometown atmosphere brings out the best in the band and inspired a selection of Memphis-themed cover songs. As always, live efforts can be a tricky affair. Generally targeted at die-hard fans, live records strip away all the sheen of the studio and get right down the dirty soul of rock & roll. Although the Reigning Sound's studio efforts are hardly polished affairs by most standards, the group does shine in the live setting. Cartwright's voice loses its Roy Orbison-inflected sweetness and turns into a shredded howl -- but it's still a beautiful thing. Just as the Reigning Sound's music strips rock & roll down to its fiery core, so does Cartwright's gut-wrenching delivery. Carl Perkins' ubiquitous "Tennessee" was given the full treatment by Cartwright and Co. Later, Cartwright's own "Two Thieves" gets cut short as his microphone gives him a jolt (fittingly, the next song is the electrically charged, "We Repel"). A tale contrasting the lives of a greedy rich man and a giving poor one, Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs' "Black Sheep" is given extra impact thanks to the emotional heft and quiver of Cartwright's voice. It is rock & roll delivered with the conviction of gospel. This time around, the ever-changing roster includes drummer Lance Wille and bassist David Wayne Gay (the latter was replaced by former Tough & Lovely bassist Carol Schumacher shortly after this recording was issued). ~ Karen E. Graves, All Music Guide