Labels: self released
Review by: Andy Malcolm
Another demo tape, another good ‘un – we’ve got a lot of quality little bands out there.
Rydell apparently have a 7″ out with Hot Water Music, which hints at the area of music they inhabit. Yup, emo rock. But Rydell aren’t as gruff or hardcore influenced as HWM. Think Chamberlain (before they went country). Definitely think Chamberlain. There are 5 songs on here, and as soon as the singing on opener, “Hey Neve Campbell”, starts up you’ve got the comparison to go with their hardcore influenced indie rock sound. Shouty sung vocals, with that emotional edge that he guy out of Chamberlain has.
“Home” starts off like hip-hop in a bizarre way. I guess it’s just the drum beats and shouting that makes me think that. Anyway, it’s soon back into emo rock territory. Kinda minimal at times, guitars aren’t doing too much, and vocals and drumming dominates it, but that may just be production. “You Take Forever” opens up with the chiming pretty guitars that I always love, and then continues in the style of the first couple of songs. Doesn’t quite work as well though for some reason, feels a bit messy.
I was most impressed with the final two songs. “Across Three Parks” is really rocking. Faster, louder, poppier, not too far from what Jetpak did on their Understand split CD. Cool indeed. Wish it was longer! They finish up on “Don’t Mean A Thing” which again has a bigger, poppier more upbeat sound. Very fine indeed.
They’ll complement Sunfactor perfectly on their upcoming tour, so go see them. Especially in Leicester. In fact, I think everyone should come to the Leicester show, even if you live in, say, Cleveland Ohio.