Tweet

Album Details

• Artist: Royal City
• Album: Little Heart's Ease
• Label: Three Gut
• Year of Release: 2004
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2004-08-27

Little Heart's Ease marks the third album for Aaron Riches' Royal City project and in that time they have picked up distribution through the UK's Rough Trade, not an easy feat for a Canadian act. There is a bit of similarity between this album and their last but here Aaron opts for a but of more sparse sound with a crisper production. This works for a couple reasons: 1. Usually when you get recordings like these they are so lo-fi that a lot is lost in the delivery and 2. Aaron's voice becomes the focal point. Don't be fooled, Royal City is basically the brainchild of Aaron. And he definitely gets some help from some great musicians. By now you have probably heard of a man named Jim Guthrie. Yeah, good friend and you can find him helping out here as well as Lonnie James, and Simon Osborne. There is something about Little Heart's Ease that really sounds like a personal album for Riches. I'm not sure if it's the way the production was done but you can't help but be drawn in and listen to what he has to say. The songs border on a country/folk sound even if Aaron's voice is more pop oriented, ala Weakerthans. It may sound cliche but this album is one that really grows with every listen and upon each listen you find something else that stands out. I'm on my fourth listen and just discovered another gem in "Enemy". I seem to be drawn towards songs in 3/4 right now, I don't know what it is. Will Oldham fans will definitely find something to rejoice in Royal City. The songs are done in a similar fashion but this album's production is the selling point. Check it out.

User Reviews and Comments

Log In or Register to Rate Albums