Route 66 by Royal Flash: A Wild Ride Down Memory Lane
Alright, buckle up, because Royal Flash’s Route 66 is one of those albums that doesn’t just sit in the background—it punches you in the face with its weird mix of pop and rock vibes. Released in ’77 outta Belgium on EMI, this thing feels like a fever dream of swaggering guitars, quirky lyrics, and enough energy to wake the dead. Let’s dive into it before I lose my train of thought.
First off, “The Queen And The Medley Band.” What even IS this track? It’s like someone threw a bunch of genres into a blender and hit puree. You’ve got these sharp guitar riffs slicing through the air while some dude belts out vocals like he’s trying to start a riot. The whole thing swerves between tight hooks and chaotic bursts of noise—kinda messy, but damn if it ain’t memorable. I mean, who names a song like that anyway? It sticks in your head not ‘cause it’s polished or perfect, but because it’s so unapologetically nuts.
Then there’s the title track, “Route 66.” Yeah, yeah, everyone knows the classic version, but Royal Flash takes it somewhere else entirely. They crank up the tempo and throw in this raw, almost punkish edge that makes it feel dangerous. Like, imagine cruising down an empty highway at midnight with nothing but adrenaline keeping you alive—that’s what this sounds like. The guitar work here? Insane. It’s sloppy yet somehow intentional, like they’re daring you to keep listening. Honestly, it shouldn’t work, but holy crap, does it ever.
Now, let me tell ya something about this album—it’s not for everyone. If you’re looking for sugary sweet melodies or overproduced nonsense, good luck. This is rough around the edges, kinda scrappy, and full of attitude. But maybe that’s why it works. It’s real, man. No gimmicks, no apologies. Just a band doing their thing and letting the chips fall where they may.
Here’s the kicker though—why don’t more people talk about Royal Flash? Seriously, how did this gem from freakin’ Belgium slip under the radar? Maybe it’s too wild, too untamed for mainstream ears. Or maybe it’s just waiting for the right moment to explode back into relevance. Either way, give Route 66 a spin if you want music that fights back instead of fading away.
And hey, if all else fails, at least you can say you heard something truly bonkers today.
