Royal Baths, “Better Luck Next Life”, [Kanine Records]

This Royal Baths release was recorded in a basement in February of 2011 and released in February of this year. With Jeremy Cox on lead guitar and vocals, Jigmae Baer on rhythm guitar and vocals, Eden Savage on Drums and Nathan Grice on bass. This is the band’s second full length release, a follow up to their debut “Litanies”. Just prior to release of this album, Cox and Baer decided to move from San Francisco to Brooklyn, NY. This is gritty garage psych blues at it’s creepiest. The vocal delivery and subject matter is unsettling. The songs are like little glimpses into the world of a maladjusted anti-social misfit. My favorite tracks are “Be Afraid of Me” and “Black Sheep” which are also on a 7 inch they released under the name “Baths” although the versions of these 2 songs on the CD are different from the 7 inch versions. The tracks could work very well in a set with Ty Segall, the Fresh and Onlys, Thee Oh Sees, Sonic Youth, etc. I really like this project and I hope to hear more from them.