Rival Sons – Before The Fire
by Matt Weddle
http://www.pinpointmusic.com/rival-sons-before-the-fire-music-reviews/
The Rival Sons are like rock and roll defibrillators – surging electric life back into the heart of what we thought was lost. I, for one, could not be more relieved to hear that heart beat on their debut album Before The Fire. I consider myself a fan of classic rock, yet I disagree with the label ‘classic rock’ being applied to bands like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd – I call it ‘rock and roll’. Although their music is undisputedly classic, it is also the pure and original essence of rock and, therefore, should not be sub-categorized under the genre that they created. But this article is not about Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd or ‘classic rock’ – it’s about The Rival Sons and it’s about rock and roll…because they are one and the same.
Despite the uncannily resilient popularity of music from the golden age of rock and roll, no band (that I have heard) has been able to write original music that rekindles the raw, authentic soul of good ‘ol rock and roll. I might be unqualified to discuss this issue being that I was regrettably not alive in the generation that produced my favorite music, and am adamantly ashamed of the music that my generation has to show for itself…and I know I’m not the only one. That being said, the music of The Rival sons makes no secret about it’s influences from Zeppelin, Floyd and other iconic sounds, but they are far from a ‘throwback band’. Probably the best word to describe the connection between The Rival Sons’ music and their influences is ‘homage’. They do not emulate their rock and roll influences, they pay tribute to them and build upon them to produce a sound that is entirely their own. Bluesy and soulful to raw and driving to sprawling and melodic – Miley’s solid, relentless drums and Robin’s groovy bass lines lay the foundation for Scott’s blood-boiling guitar riffs and face-melting solos, all topped off by Jay’s gritty-yet-smooth vocals that fall somewhere between Robert Plant and Axel Rose.
Before The Fire is a refreshing departure from current abominations of rock and roll. I would love nothing more than for this band to succeed beyond all expectations largely because I want to hear more of their music, but more importantly because it would send a valuable message to the rest of the music industry that rock and roll will not die, so stop trying to kill it. It’s not easy for a band to stay true their influences while maintaining originality, but they are as truly passionate about the music that inspires them it is possible to build organically upon it. The Rival Sons have done it if more bands follow their lead, regardless of their genre, our generation might finally be proud of our music.
The Point: Before The Fire is one of the most exciting albums I’ve heard in a long time. It is an absolute must-listen! Whether you hear them live or on their album, The Rival Sons rock…the just fucking rock.
Despite the uncannily resilient popularity of music from the golden age of rock and roll, no band (that I have heard) has been able to write original music that rekindles the raw, authentic soul of good ‘ol rock and roll. I might be unqualified to discuss this issue being that I was regrettably not alive in the generation that produced my favorite music, and am adamantly ashamed of the music that my generation has to show for itself…and I know I’m not the only one. That being said, the music of The Rival sons makes no secret about it’s influences from Zeppelin, Floyd and other iconic sounds, but they are far from a ‘throwback band’. Probably the best word to describe the connection between The Rival Sons’ music and their influences is ‘homage’. They do not emulate their rock and roll influences, they pay tribute to them and build upon them to produce a sound that is entirely their own. Bluesy and soulful to raw and driving to sprawling and melodic – Miley’s solid, relentless drums and Robin’s groovy bass lines lay the foundation for Scott’s blood-boiling guitar riffs and face-melting solos, all topped off by Jay’s gritty-yet-smooth vocals that fall somewhere between Robert Plant and Axel Rose.
Before The Fire is a refreshing departure from current abominations of rock and roll. I would love nothing more than for this band to succeed beyond all expectations largely because I want to hear more of their music, but more importantly because it would send a valuable message to the rest of the music industry that rock and roll will not die, so stop trying to kill it. It’s not easy for a band to stay true their influences while maintaining originality, but they are as truly passionate about the music that inspires them it is possible to build organically upon it. The Rival Sons have done it if more bands follow their lead, regardless of their genre, our generation might finally be proud of our music.
The Point: Before The Fire is one of the most exciting albums I’ve heard in a long time. It is an absolute must-listen! Whether you hear them live or on their album, The Rival Sons rock…the just fucking rock.
UNRIVALED: RIVAL SONS BRINGS BACK BLUES-BASED ROCK!
by Jim Villanueva
www.currentclassics.com
One of Led Zeppelin's greatest songs is "Thank You." Thank you is what Zeppelin fans, and classic rock fans of all ages will be saying to Rival Sons, a Los Angeles-based classic four-piece rock band that puts the "current" in "classic" with a sound and swagger so familiar, yet so fresh. If last night you'd walked into the world famous Roxy on the Sunset Strip and seen the size of the crowd on hand, you would have thought a veteran band with hordes of gold records on their walls and scores of sold-out stadiums under their belts would be headlining. If you'd walked in with your eyes closed and just heard the music coming off the stage, you still would have thought a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was playing a rare club gig. Rival Sons, a rock and roll recipe of Led Zeppelin, Free, Bad Company, and The Who, topped off with a little Cream, boogied through a bounty of blues-based gems off their forthcoming debut, Before the Fire, including the muscular-meets-psychedelic "Lucky Girl," the swampy "Memphis Sun," with singer Jay Buchanan channeling Paul Rodgers, "On My Way," a bluesy-Gospel concoction worthy of juke joint jukebox status, and "I Want More," an early Who influenced up-tempo rocker with more s t arts and stops than an L.A. freeway holiday weekend getaway, fueled by frenetic riff-filled Pete Townshend-like guitar, courtesy of Scott Holiday. Rounded out by a robust rhythm section consisting of Michael Miley on drums and Robin Everhart on bass, Rival Sons has no contemporary rivals to speak of, but easily rivals some of its rock and roll forefathers with its power, passion and panache. I want more, indeed!