Formed from the Seven Samurai, a band that had a solid following throughout the world, The Dirty Royals have reinvented themselves slightly, but continue to play a highly addictive sound.
The disc opens with the title track, and comes out swinging with a nice riff and the attitude-laden line "You hate, hate who you are, obsessed America." From there, the EP continues to hit with with one great power-pop/punk riffed song after another.
"CIA" is a song about being spied on by a jealous lover, and it's a dose of powerful poppy brit-rock with a hopelessly fun foot-tap forcing chorus. It's followed up by the acoustic, twangy track "There's a Riot Going On", an attack on the hypocrisy of people who complain about social issues, but never seem to do anything about them. ("There's a riot going on on in your town, but you're not around to see what's going on at all.")
Next up is the upbeat, crunchy rock tune "I Feel Alive", a testament on the band's career thus far, and how much fun they're having rolling with it. ("This may not last until tomorrow, it may not even last that long, but while it does I feel alive.")
The album closes with "Like a Sucker". It's another fun poppy track that, although it seems like it's a bit of a stab at a relationship gone wrong, the rocking guitar line and harmonic background vocals prevent you from feeling too badly about it.
Then - it's over. Except you need to play it again, because, in just five songs, this band will have totally managed to endear you to their sound. It's not straight-up punk, but it's not entirely Brit rock, either. It's powerful poppy rock with great hooks, dirty guitars, and a touch of old school pop punk sensibilities.
It will definitely leave you hungry for more. The Obsessed America EP is a tasty little snack, and I am looking forward to a full-size portion of the Dirty Royals recipe for the next British Invasion.
