Royal Trux

The first Royal Trux album still reads, somehow, as sui generis, though you might be able to pick a couple of precursors – the minimalist psychobilly of early Cramps; the collapsing new guitar noise of bands like Smashchords – and at its most structured, the grimy smear of Stones worship shows amidst the general haziness. But for the most part, this is the psychology of the core Trux movers, Jennifer Herrema and Neil Hagerty, laid bare – rudimentary songs that move in accordance with Trux-ian logic only; spindly, yet oddly elegant guitar that rides over a mush of organ, piano, bass and clattering drums. Their vocals cut at cross purposes to the songs, moving in their own time and space. There’s a clutch of early Trux classics here – “Zero Dok”, “Strawberry Soda”, “Esso Dame” – and some of Hagerty’s wildest guitar playing. Auspicious, to say the least.