Royworld - Man In The Machine

Jun 24 2008 By Paul Cole

(Virgin)

NAMED after a Welsh tenpin bowling alley (don’t ask) south coast indie-pop band Royworld have honed their songwriting to near-perfection, one minute recalling Peter Gabriel and the next joyously echoing New Radicals.

Album opener Elasticity sweeps you along on the crest of its wave, deceptive Wish Ourselves Away catches fire midway, and slowburning Brakes does a Coldplay.

Of the rest, Astronaut is addictive electronica, and melancholic Tinman showcases reluctant frontman Rod Futrille's understated vocal. Imagine The Feeling – but with feeling.