One did so much want to love The Royal We.
Honestly.
After hearing their members had been so inspired by the ornate, literate pop of Orange Juice and Belle and Sebastian that, independently, and from the four corners of the globe, they all decided to make Glasgow their home; and then discovering that – in vintage Manics’ style – they intended to break-up on the release of their debut album, I’ll admit it: I liked the cut of their jib.
Ornate, literate pop can have its drawbacks, but on the whole it’s a force for good. And it’s heartening to find a bunch of young bucks keen to reject today’s tired and lyrically inane skinny-jeans orthodoxy in favour of more cerebral matters. You can’t help but admire anyone who aspires towards making one grand statement before dispersing into the ether.
And it’s a shame when it turns out that they simply don’t.
Their slight, shrill and, ultimately, underwhelming debut album has its moments. ‘Three Is A Crowd’ is a properly acidic kiss-off tune, ‘All The Rage’ takes a jaundiced view of the current pop scene, and a cover of Chris Isaac’s ‘Wicked Game’ remains on just the right side of wrong. But it’s impossible to escape the conclusion that although they have the attitude, the feel for history, and the motivation all right – what they absolutely lack is one genuinely decent tune.
The Royal We could, of course, in time get so much better. Unfortunately they’ve denied us – and, indeed, themselves – the chance to ever find out.