BOMBAY ROYALE
RUN KITTY RUN - LP
UPC: 659123089111
Label: HOPE STREET REC
Format: LP
Release Date: August 11, 2017
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The Bombay Royale has always used vintage Indian cinema as a creative touch stone for their songwriting and the musical influence of greats such as RD Burman, Anandji & Kalyanji and Illayaraja looms large. Not surprisingly their production philosophy is also grounded in this era and has been heavily influenced by the Daptone approach, with most of their songs tracked live in single takes and overdubbing kept to a minimum. Whilst the tracks on 'Run Kitty Run' retain this type of philosophy the band has also explored new stylistic territory. Songs such as ‘Run Kitty Run’ and ‘Bhediya’ venture into the psych-surf domain of bands such as Messer Chups and Los Straightjackets. ‘I Love You Love You’, ‘Nucky Day Nucky Dah Nucky Doo’ and ‘Ballygunge’ have an angular 80's vibe, infused with gated snares and the spirits of Talking Heads and David Bowie. ‘Mera Naam Hai Lucky’ tips its hat to Bhappi Lahiri (Bollywood's undisputed Disco King). ‘Mauja’ taps into Parvyn Singh's Punjabi background whilst also drawing on the desert rock sounds of bands such as Tinariwen. RoboBeeZ is a 12/8 sci-rock shuffle with an Yma Sumac vocal lead that is undoubtedly the theme for a TV series involving transformers, robotic horsemen and green screen facilitated time travel. ‘Raan of Kutch’ is inspired in equal measure by John Bonham and the 70's Persian Psyche rock of artists such as Googoosh. Gunslinger’s Lullaby features the Skipper crooning his way through a murder ballad that is equal parts Budos Band and Lee Hazelwood. 'Tumi Ami' could be drawn from a lost Radiohead record (had they been from Kolkata) whilst the closing track of side A is one of the band's personal favourites - ‘Zhooti Naina’ - an Abbey Road-esque journey, progressing from its haunting opening vocal opening through to its climax in a kind of Kawali inspired religious ecstasy.
