Rival Schools - United By Fate
(Island)
Walter Schriefel's old band Quicksand stormed its way through a good deal
of success,
including a major label deal and a spot on the first Warped Tour, alongside
a bunch of
shitty bands. They came from the New York Hardcore scene; their first
single and album
were both released by Revelation Records. But, despite all these negative
qualities, here's
the thing: I actually liked them... a lot. Sure, I sold their albums a few
years ago, but I
did recently get their debut, Slip, again, and it stands the test of time
very well. I
mean, there aren't any bands like Quicksand anymore. Though, after
listening to the Rival
Schools debut, there could be another soon.
"Undercovers On" starts our slow and introspective. Walter croons a
disaffected "same person
you know would forget to be honest/I might be the furthest from your
mind." Then the
chorus kicks in, and there are acoustic guitars! Tremelo, chorus, what?
Well, ok, it's
sounds alright. After 4:30 a song is unusually (for Walter) devoid of
energy, but there's a
somewhat psychedelic guitar solo mixed fairly low. It's strangely affecting
and validates
every move and change in the song, as a means to a great ending.
The Rival Schools really hit their stride on "Used for Glue" (though I'll
avoid attacking
the video they made for this) and "Holding Sand." These really sound like
Quicksand. Thick,
heavy chords and Walter's inimitable yell. I can get into songs like these!
It's not Punk,
it's not Metal, it's just Rock and Walter is really good at it. "Holding
Sand" is carried
by a huge riff, vaguely reminiscent of early Nirvana or Melvins. And it
apparently contains
a sample of My Bloody Valentine's "Soon."
Ok, so there's my praise for United by Fate. Now on to the complaints.
The album opens with "Travels by Telephone." It almost goes a full thirty
seconds before
turning sour. This is the first of several instances of some new
(matured?!, hah)
songwriting something-or-other. Back up harmonizing vocals and slowed down
introspective
passages are not the strengths of this album.
"My Echo." Oh, this song sucks. Upbeat changes, a mindless guitar solo,
annoying back up
vocals... ugh.
Lastly, the production continues with what made Quicksand's second album
(Manic Compression--very aptly named, by the way) a little weaker than it should have been.
This is obviously
released by a major label, and is really very ready to stand with Jimmy Eat
World, At the Drive
In, or even Nu Metal bands on MTV. So, the songs that don't stick out would
probably make more
impact if they weren't glossed to a bright shine.
So several years in the making, we get Walter's return: Rival Schools. This
is, all things
considered, a good thing. That's not to say I think he has made a
triumphant return, but
it'll do. Hopefully he'll hang around a while and release the caliber of
Rock records he's
capable of.
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