Friday ACL Fest Record Reviews
Royal Blood
How Did We Get So Dark? (Warner Bros.)
Reviewed by Michael Toland, Fri., Oct. 6, 2017
Brighton's Royal Blood could splatter another pair of youngsters with big amps and a collection of Black Keys/White Stripes albums. By subbing bass for guitar, however, the UK duo gives its grungy riffola a bottom to rival a hippo's ass, then demonstrates far less reverence for blues rawk ancestors than their American brethren. Bassist Mike Kerr's English keen rings less Robert Plant than Matthew Bellamy, the better to soar melodies. "I Only Lie When I Love You" and the title track won't drag big rock forward, but How Did We Get So Dark? will definitely scratch a riff-loving itch. (5:15pm, Barton Springs stage; weekend one only)