Reigning Sound – Time Bomb High School

In 2002, Reigning Sound released “Time Bomb High School,” a red-hot rock ’n’ roll album that captured the hearts and ears of everyone—from Little Steven Van Zandt to Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist of The Hives. Since its initial release, “Time Bomb High School” has been out of print on vinyl and has become the Holy Grail for record collectors. Now those collectors have reason to celebrate: “Time Bomb High School” is returning on vinyl, remastered and featuring a new cover by Greg Cartwright.

Hailed by The Guardian as “a truly indisputable rock ’n’ roll soul classic,” “Time Bomb High School” was the breakthrough album for the Memphis-based quartet consisting of Cartwright (vocals, guitar), Jeremy Scott (bass, backing vocals), Greg Roberson (drums), and Alex Greene (organ, guitar, backing vocals). The songs—Cartwright’s original compositions and cover versions such as “Stormy Weather” and “I’d Much Rather Be With the Boys”—are as vibrant as ever, but the heart of this edition of “Time Bomb High School” lies in the track order, which has been faithfully preserved from the original 2002 pressing. Side 1 features midtempo ballads and love songs. Side 2 consists entirely of rock numbers. The album opens with four of Reigning Sound’s most vulnerable songs of longing before transitioning into a cover of “I Don’t Believe” by Memphis local heroes The Guilloteens. The result is an almost entirely new album. The band’s self-assurance and swagger remain intact, yet the album feels more serious and candid, as if they’ve torn down their protective wall to truly let the listener in—their songs of praise feel like a refuge from the storm. There’s no wrong way to listen to “Time Bomb High School,” but this is its definitive form: a classic ready to be rediscovered, and just as indispensable to the rock canon as the dusty 45s that inspired Reigning Sound.