Cartwright gets it right.

Reigning Sound Break Up… Break Down (SYMPATHY FOR THE RECORD INDUSTRY, 2001)

After The Oblivians’ tumult, here comes soothing organ, country rock guitars, regret, and the heart’s sad wisdom. Cartwright calls it, “the beginning of me as a much better songwriter… a lot of the early Reigning Sound stuff, it’s kind of like crying in public.” A cover of The Beach Boys’ Waiting For The Day has a rictus grin, but the melancholy is real.

Reigning Sound Home For Orphans (SYMPATHY FOR THE RECORD INDUSTRY, 2005)

The rockers are outnumbered by the ballads on this leftovers comp, making it a noble jukebox of the heart for the lost and the lonely. Standouts include hopeless tearjerker What Could I Do?, where Cartwright modulates the title with degrees of tremor, hurt and transcendent defeat. “It’s a total mish-mash but I think it’s some of the strongest material I ever penned,” says the singer.

Reigning Sound Love And Curses (IN THE RED, 2009)Cartwright

sounds desperate on this rocking soul for the down but not quite out. The sleeve – and line-up, for that matter – suggested flea markets and missed chances, but the songs, some punchy, some wistful, some arch, make it through. “The cover and dark tone put people off,” says Greg. “I was kind of in a dark place then. But I think it really stands up.”