Theatre Royal - All Fall Forward/Better Say Goodbye

by Malcolm Carter

published: 14 / 1 / 2019

Theatre Royal - All Fall Forward/Better Say Goodbye

Label: Vacilando '68
Format: Download

Classic energy-fueled guitar-led pop on double A-sider from Medway's Theatre Royal that makes the forthcoming album one to watch out for

Review

I’m not at all embarrassed to admit that I’ve just finished reading a well-known TV presenter’s rant about how there’s no good music being made today by young bands. Although the person in question obviously knows a great deal more about cars than music, I usually find him amusing and respect what he has to say. But he’s far off this time. Those of a certain age can still remember the thrill of hearing those teenage bursts of energy that went by names such as ‘My Generation’ or ‘Teenage Kicks’ for the first time. And while they don’t come around quite as often these days as they used to there are still some bands that are churning out two and three minute energy-fuelled pop songs that stand up to any of those now considered classics. If there’s a fault to be found with the double A-side single from Kent’s Theatre Royal, it’s that it appears that the songs are only available digitally. If two songs deserve to be on black 7” vinyl it’s ‘All Fall Forward’ and ‘Better Say Goodbye’. I want to hold the thing, not just hear it rattling the speakers out of my computer. Even so, listening to these two songs in any form will have the same effect that hearing let’s say ‘Teenage Kicks’ had the first time you heard it. They are that good. The energy just bursts through that even old codgers like the aforementioned gentleman and yours truly will be transported back to being a teen again, and all the problems of current-day living will disappear for the six minutes it takes to listen to these songs. So you listen again, and then again and how many times has that happened with a ‘single’ recently? Theatre Royal have nothing to prove; they’ve already done that over the course of four full-length albums where they have shown that while they seemingly pluck timeless guitar-led pop songs fueled with energy that leaves the listener breathless there’s also a more considered side to their music too. And their melodies are unforgettable and instantly locked into your head. Last year when the band was working on their fifth album these two tracks were completed and just called out to be released immediately; one listen and you’ll understand why they wanted to get this pair of corkers out as soon as they could. The chunky guitar of ‘All Fall Forward’ gives way to a song-along chorus which is irresistible. It’s classic, intelligent pop which is impossible to ignore; music for the head and the feet. ‘Better Say Goodbye’ is another slice of high-energy pop; the backing vocals emphasizing just how much attention and detail these boys put into every one of their recordings. Call it what you will. Compare them to any of the classic pop groups which have entertained us through the last five decades but Theatre Royal are keeping the spirit and sound of classic guitar-led pop alive and are doing it with energy and passion that proves that brilliant music is still being made by young bands.