Music is cyclical. What I mean by this is that every decade or so music does a complete three-sixty. The new album from Royal Bliss is proof of this theory. Life In-Between could have been released ten to fifteen years ago and it would have been just as good. The riffs and the voice would have fit right in. I don’t mean to suggest that the pure rock and roll that Royal Bliss makes sounds out of touch. I just mean that good rock and roll will always be good especially when it is done by a band this proficient at raising hell.

However the songs don’t represent the glories of a life spent in a perpetual party. Instead they have chosen to write about the regret that often follows. Songs like “By & By” and “Finally Figured Out” let you in on how hard life can be and the lessons that have to be lived to be learned. The songs are not all as heavyhearted though, they still found time to have some fun. “I Was Drunk” is a song that shows the pride of surviving that lifestyle. There is no remorse in the line “After 1,000 beers in twenty-eight years I finally figured it out. There’s plenty of time just to settle on down.” Even on the tender ballad “I Don’t Mind” Neal Middleton (lead vocals, guitar) pulls from his own experience and answers a question that’s probably been asked of him many times…how are you not bitter?

These boys have been around a while. They have been through a lot and have become a better band because of it. Their music sounds authentic and is so much more appealing as a result. This is their seventh album but first on a major label (Capitol). Hopefully they can finally receive the success they deserve.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

For more info go to: www.royalbliss.com