San Franscico’s Rip Room has emerged with a charismatic and alluringly unpredictable debut full-length record, ‘Alight and Resound’.
In a time of digital polish and studio patchwork, it has become increasingly rare to hear a record that captures the lightning-in-a-bottle dynamics of a live performance. Music continues to fill our queues, but it feels less and less human, so when a record breaks through the static, it can be a revelation.
Rip Room has produced twelve pulsing songs on Alight and Resound, that harkens back to better musical times while somehow embracing the relevance of the moment. Think Unwound, Sleater-Kinney, and Fugazi — propulsive rhythms and piercing lyrics, but with a sense of buoyancy. Wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Alongside the new album, the band have released a new single Complication, which you can download now for free.
Listen to Complication HERE.
“I wanted to be in a fun, high-energy band, but with a math-y, prog edge,” says vocalist/guitarist John Reed.
“We’re always looking to capture our live sound, and with this record, we wanted that plus a little more to emphasize some ideas or sonic feelings,” adds bassist/vocalist Sarah McKinney.
“The subject matter is pretty heavy, but the execution is sometimes a bit more lighthearted and dancey which I think balances it out well. Our sound was once described as ‘dance music for people who don’t like to dance,’ which I don’t agree with — I’d say it’s ‘dance music for people who like to dance but are also bummed out.”
‘Alight and Resound‘ is their first release on Spartan Records. The album delves into turbulent lyrical waters. Loneliness, chaos, despair, and struggle — yet somehow with a glimmer of hope.
“The title of the record is a lyric from the song Get On In The World, which is in part about frustration and not really fitting in,” says Reed.
“Everyone’s focused or too wrapped up in their own shit and sadly this too often devolves into misunderstandings, at best, and violence, at worst. Alight and Resound is like a plea — move to a different plane of understanding and empathy or else we’re fucked.”
Rip Room has reunited with engineer Tim Green (Melvins, Bikini Kill, Sebadoh) on their new album Alight and Resound, due to be released this spring.
“The remoteness of Louder Studios is really conducive to making a record. Like a short summer camp for punks,” says Reed. “Tim has a calming effect that really elicits great performances in what can be a stressful process. While for the most part he just lets bands do their thing, he’s contributed some of my favourite moments to every recording I’ve ever done with him.”
Thriving in the Bay Area is no simple task for a band in these times. As competition grows, venues close, and rents continue to rise, the desire for authenticity in art will only increase. ‘Alight and Resound‘ is a testament to the power of seeking brashness over banality. There is perceptible life and light in the recordings that grow with each listen, and the authenticity of the experience is both palpable and revitalizing.
Download Complication Here.
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