The Days of Lore

Reigning Sound making new sounds in 2009

Monday, January 26th, 2009 | musiX

A few years ago, a friend turned me on to the Reigning Sound, which immediately became one of my favorite bands. I listened to Home For Orphans and Time Bomb High School until the discs turned to a fine glittery dust. I told all of my friends about them. Bought more records. Told more friends … maybe even told a few enemies.

Reigning Sound singer/guitarist Greg Cartwright might be the only man alive who can pen songs where a shit-storm of distortion can sidle up ever-so tenderly to soulful hooks and tearjerker lyrics. But it’s not all guitar ruckus. Cartwright’s voice always comes through like a man who’s lost it all, especially on songs like “If You Can’t Give Me Everything” and “Since When.” So damn pretty.

He’s been at for years with his former Memphis garage outfits Compulsive Gamblers and the Oblivians. Reigning Sound formed in 2001 and released a few albums including the aforementioned works along with the aptly titled Too Much Guitar in 2004. The band also backed former Shangri-Las’s singer Mary Weiss on her 2007 album Dangerous Game.

Reigning Sound calls North Carolina home these days, and the band is currently working on some new sounds that should hit wax sometime this year on In The Red. I’ll be keeping an eye out. Not enough people know about these guys. Shame. But those who know, know better, and are very intelligent human beings.

“Straight Shooter” - Reigning Sound (Time Bomb High School)

“If You Can’t Give Me Everything” - Reigning Sound (Home For Orphans)

“Since When” - Reigning Sound (acoustic live on Thacker Mountain Radio)

Tags: Compulsive Gamblers, Greg Cartwright, Home For Orphans, In The Red Records, Mary Weiss, Oblivians, Reigning Sound, Time Bomb High School, Too Much Guitar

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