Royal Crown Revue "The Contender" 1998

A swing band who started big and gained lots of popularity during the swing resurrection of the 1990s.
The least smarmy of the bevy of neo-swing albums that were released during the same period (including admirable-selling sets by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and the Cherry Poppin' Daddies), Royal Crown Revue's fourth album is also their most traditional offering in the genre. And because they are somewhat veterans of the scene (they formed in 1989, at least a good five years before neo-swing bands began replacing ska groups as Southern California's latest musical offering to fad-seeking kids), Royal Crown Revue play it a bit more straight and with more dash than most of their neo-swing contemporaries. Still, there's a slight hipper-than-thou vibe splattered throughout The Contender, one that still self-importantly winks at its audience as it heavy-handedly plows through music 50-years-old. Choice cuts: "Walkin' Like Brando," "Zip Gun Bop (Reloaded)" and the zesty title track. - The Contender Review by Michael Gallucci
trax:
01 The Contender 02 Walkin' Like Brando 03 Zip Gun Bop (Reloaded) 04 Big Boss Lee 05 Friday the 13th 06 Stormy Weather 07 Morning Light 08 Salt Peanuts 09 Work Baby Work 10 Everyone Knows You're Crazy 11 Port-Au-Prince (Travels With Lefty) 12 Deadly Nightcall

This music is dedicated to the tradition of Johnny Diego's Rock 'n' Roll Free Sunday!