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A superb example of emotional and energetic classic Rock.-
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| Rival Sons: Pressure & Time |
Blues, Hard Rock
Earache Records
July 26th, 2011
- All Over the Road - 2:54
- Young Love - 3:00
- Pressure and Time - 3:16
- Only One - 3:11
- Get Mine - 2:24
- Burn Down Los Angeles - 2:25
- Save Me - 2:34
- Gypsy Heart - 3:29
- White Noise - 3:02
- Face of Light - 4:28
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| Review Information |
Release length: 30:48
Review posted on July 27th, 2011
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| | Overall Score: 10/10 |
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| Review |
Rival Sons hails from southern California, and somehow managed to make their way onto Earache Records, one of the pioneering labels in Metal today known for acts like Carcass. While this Blues meets Rock style act isn't exactly new territory for the label, it does make one want to stand up and take notice of the band, at least to those in the Metal community who happen to know about the label and it's history. Earlier this year, Rival Sons issued their debut self-titled EP, and it found a great of praise among critics and fans of Hard Rock in general. With a solid introduction already established, it was only a matter of time before the band's debut album, Pressue & Time, which was announced around the time of said EP's release, would be available for fans on store shelves worldwide. But one can't help but ask whether this album would indeed top their self-titled EP, or if that release managed to sum up what to expect from the group despite the unrecognized potential on that release.
Right off the bat, Pressure & Time does not disappoint. The album clocks in at a little more then thirty minutes and comprised of ten tracks total. One thing kept from the EP is the production quality, which is simply stunning. Considering the band's more classic Hard Rock sound, the more raw analog production quality similar to that of the seventies and early eighties once again makes it's appearance, and it does a fantastic job at making these songs really stand out, especially with the emotion and energy given by everyone in the band. These insanely catchy and vintage sounding tracks capture the spirit of the early days of Rock with a great southern atmosphere to it. The guitars sound great, having a much cleaner sound that works well with what the style established back in the glory days of Rock, and the bass makes a pretty dominant appearance as well to establish the underlying groove of the tracks. The drums are great as well as retain that slight grain you would expect them to have if hearing them on a record from the same time period as the music that inspires this album, all paced well with the faster to slower paced tracks of the recording to aid in the overall groove and rhythm to song without going too far or over-the-top. There's even a bit of a slight Punk feel at times in the music, such as with "Burn Down Los Angeles" with it's more rebellious vibe and even within the music itself without going into two-step territory, sort of the early stages of that style before branching out into the defining genre and the staples of it. The vocals are also really inspiring in the mix, capturing that quality Blues drive and emotion, while still having a serious tone when need be for the music, and all around being very energetic and well ranged in the performance given. All of this will capture the hearts of the listener before even advancing past the first track of the album.
Lyrically, Pressue & Time often sticks to the classic staples of the early Rock sound, such as with the openning track "All Over the Road", which deals with alcohol and what sounds like plenty of sexual references. All of this is matched by an energetic and well ranged vocal performance against a more groove driven Rock song that has a pretty upbeat sound, though outside the chorus can feel a little more serious, having a strong mid-tempo to it. The song basically establishes what to expect, and while it's not the most impressive song off the album, it makes for a fantastic welcome to the effort and sets up the atmosphere of the release with a more traditional Rock song. However, "Young Love" is where the more emotionally driven sound comes into play. The track is a little slower but has a bit of a faster chorus that feels a little simpler as well against it's catchy southern guitars and drums that have a bit of a galloping beat to it at times. The chorus has an additional background layer that typically mirrors the often energetic "yeah yeah" vocal performance with a "whoa-oh-whoa" chant being deeper in the mix. While there's not much to the song lyrically, the track just feels fun to listen to and is a solid pure Rock song. This is about where the impact of the album starts to be felt, as the material that follows "Young Love" really picks up the pace that it sets and shows you what Rival Sons is all about with this release.
"Pressure and Time" proves itself worthy of being the title track of the recording. The song incorporates some tamborine to it, and it works well to establish a really fun and groovey atmosphere. The guitar solo that hits during the track is nothing too over-the-top, which is fantastic given the simpler groove-driven nature of the track and phenomenal energetic vocal performance that gives a strong Blues influence that will have your head bobbing along more then it did for the past two tracks. This fun song really becomes one of the best songs off the album, if not the best, and really shows the impact that these fun songs had and still have today. "Get Mine" also shows off this more upbeat sound well, but at the same time the track has a much stronger Blues impact into the recording. The tamborine comes back into play as well, and with the more personal and emotional lyrics to the track, you can't help but connect to this track in more then one way. But, while these fun, upbeat tracks really steal the show, you can't forget the slower paced ballad-esque tracks along the lines of what bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd was possible of . "Only One" is the first to really capture this kind of atmosphere with a very impressive vocal performance that matches the really moving music and additional organ-sounding keyboards that really give an uplifting sound to this stirring slower paced love track.
It's almost impossible to talk about this album without talking about each track and the unique approach or sound they have. Every time you think you heard the most impressive material the band can give you, you're greeted with another track that proves you wrong. Songs like "Young Love", "Pressure & Time", and the more rebellious "Burn Down Los Angeles" really show off the variety the band brings to the recording and are easily some of the more exceptional tracks off the recording. These really make up the more impressive tracks, though the last four songs are not that bad either, just not quite as impressive. The closing track "Face of Light", however, is actually really intriguing. The song's more Blues driven approach with a cleaner Rock ballad sound that would tread into territy similar to bands like The Beatles is really something to behold. The song has a strong emotional drive to it that builds from the start of song and just feels really passionate in atmosphere and the overall performance of the band, leading to a fantastic closing to the album.
Rival Sons left a strong impression with their self-titled debut EP, but that release has nothing on Pressure & Time. This effort truly captures the spirit of the roots of the band's classic Rock sound, and has a much stronger Blues presence that allows the listener to connect with every track on here, though the songs with a strong Blues influence do manage to make more of an impact. While the last few songs on the album aside "Face of Light" aren't the most awe-inspiring, the band never fails to impress the listener, and with each track comes something a little unique for that specific experience. Thanks to the atmosphere of the production quality to the recording, once again we are greeted with a new album that seems like it was lost in time and should have come out back during the hayday of this style, and with that is quickly captures the listener's attention, especially those who enjoy the classics of the Rock sound from around the seventies, and proves that Rival Sons has what it takes to make it in today's more modern sounding musical world. Fans of all styles can easily embrace the more upbeat and even passionate slower tracks of the release, and given the quality of each song, it's hard to deny that Pressure & Time will stay locked on repeat however you listen to your music. If you enjoy solid music and appreciate the glory days of Rock, let Rival Sons latest give you a treasure that easily would have topped the charts back in the day.
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Digital review copy of this release provided by:
Earache Records.
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