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Classic Album: Royal Trux – Thank You

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By: Charbarred | in: Music |

The split of garage favorites ‘Pussy Galore’ gave way to two new bands. John Spencer, doomed to make the same album every year for the rest of his life, formed the Blues Explosion. Neil Hagerty got together with Jennifer Herrema to form the Royal Trux.

Royal Trux - Thank You
Royal Trux spent a good part of the early 90’s churning out strange and amusing oddities for their label Drag City. Their most mature album, ‘Cats and Dogs’ proved they were ready for the big time.
Skip to 1995. Kurt Cobain and co. were dominating the charts, and the major labels were gladly offering a record deal to every junkie with a guitar. Having snagged a big deal with Virgin, the Royal Trux set out to conquer the world.
Choosing producers proved to be a difficult task. Their wild approach to pretty much jamming it out in the studio got them in trouble with some candidates. Most producers wanted Hagerty to play less, and tried to get the songs to conform to the usual Rock n’ Roll clichés. In the end they managed to hit the jackpot. Legendary producer David Briggs stepped out to the plate. The long time Neil Young collaborator decided to just let them be, the album was to be recorded live in the studio.
The result, a grimy piece of Rock and Roll history. The scuzzy song writing on ‘Thank You’ gives way to some surprisingly catchy tunes. Hagerty’s guitar still wanders off into noiseland occasionally, but mostly produces unique and memorable solos. Herrena, known for just grunting it out, outdoes herself and actually sings. Songs like Ray O Vac even have her rapping (sort of).
The production is clear and concise with great arrangements. The bass-line in most of the songs pushes the limit (compensating for Hagerty’s inability to play a straight chord), while the use of percussions gives the stoned atmosphere an ethereal quality.
The lyrics are just outrageous. The album includes such classic lines as “The sailor has to masturbate until the ships lands” and “I knew right then I could love her forever even when her breath’s all rotted with cancer” (which has a sad story behind it).
‘Thank You’ is as good as modern rock classics go. It incorporates the grime and grit yet doesn’t drown in experimentalism.  Stand out tracks include “Ray O Vac”, “Map of the City” and the killer album closer “Shadow Of The Wasp”. A must have for any Rock and Roll fan.


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Posted on December 18, 2006

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