1999- 2004

Royal City

Asthmatic Kitty

Jul 21, 2009 Web Exclusive By Jim Scott

The first song on this compilation is the promising "Here Comes Success." This is no coincidence. Despite their promise and talent, Royal City didn't make it. They skirted the spotlight, never quite connecting with a wide audience for whatever reason. Arcade Fire opened for them. Constantines shared their label. Sufjan Stevens was a fan (as evidenced by his putting out this record). And yet, Royal City didn't find their place.

What happened? The music is strong, sounding partly like Clem Snide, with an honest, country-tinged balladry that has worked for countless other bands, combined with a somewhat lackadaisical, Pavement-type laziness. And yet, there's something that doesn't quite catch. Something indefinable (one would think if Royal City could have defined this trait, it would have corrected it) never quite happens, and so, while 1999-2004 is pleasurable enough (especially the excellent "Bad Luck"), it's a road map for a place that no longer exists, and while it's difficult to explain why, it's not entirely surprising. (www.myspace.com/royalcitytoronto)

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