Royal
While the worlds of swing and rockabilly often leave bands with no choice but to sound exactly like each other, it's hard to appreciate a group that appears to be pulling a Dr. Evil on another outfit's mojo. For most of their disc, the Rhode Island-based Amazing Crowns are trying to be the nextReverend Horton Heator, rather, the current Reverend Horton Heat. "Losing Streak" steals the bridge from "The Devil's Chasing Me," and cuts such as "The Ride," "Perfect Sin," and "Still Royal" have that sound associated with the king of psychobilly. Elsewhere, the disc lapses into retro swing numbers such as "Out the Door." This is extra frustrating because there are a couple of strong pockets that suggest a better band--the garage-flavored "Mr. Fix-It" and the sweet ballad "Flipping Coins." Ultimately,Royaldoesn't offer anything but the all too familiar.--Jason Josephes