Ever heard a record and known exactly where it's coming from, but you find that you're still surprised by the result because it ends up delivering something a little different from what you expected? The experience of listening to Rapido's debut album, Pistols At Dawn, is like that; even though the band is fleshing out an alt-country muse pretty clearly through the eight tracks which comprise their debut, the form which becomes apparent sounds exactly nothing like that of any band treading similar ground.
At first, it's hard to understand how this band could sound as different as it does while also still sounding like it's playing in a similar ballpark to Wilco, Blue Rodeo, 54-40 and Son Volt – there have always been a few stylistic ties which have bound those bands together – but a closer listen reveals both the difference that Rapido represents, and why the band is pretty peerless as a result: while those other bands have historically focused more on the “country” side of “alt-country,” Rapido zeros in more on the “alt” or “alternative rock” side of the term and uses it for primary fuel.
The “rock” drive in Pistols At Dawn is the thing which instantly hooks listeners from the moment “Alright I Am” blows the doors off the record to open it. Here, the ghosts of Meat Puppets (more the London Records years than SST), Local H and even early Flaming Lips take turns at the wheel while the country boys (like Wilco, Blue Rodeo and 54-40) remain in back – present to add color and taste, but no more. Singer Eddy Hugill swings easily between the timbres supplied by Colin Funk, Derrick Doll and Kyle Sheppard to create an energetic but lived-in rocker of the song, and listeners will find themselves nodding involuntarily as the song fades out; it's an easy hook, but those who hear it will be anxious for more.
Those nodding won't be left wanting after “All Right I Am” fades out. “Touch Here” further solidifies comparisons to the Meat Puppets with some loose, folksy vocal harmonies coupled and sandy, sun-dried guitar progressions and “Dalhousie” gets lost in the twilight of an urban wasteland with a tale of “upper-class war” before spitting listeners into a cold, acid-touched tundra called “Cold Machines.” In each case, the vibrant tonal colors mix easily with classic rock, post-punk and C&W aesthetics to arrive on a path which has been cut before, but has never been tread upon in the same way Rapido does. That the experience is similar but not at all the same as that which any listener has experienced before is actually one of the most captivating things about it.
As “Gary” tumbles happily along on a classic Doors blues-rock shuffle to close out the record, those listening will feel a smile begin to make its way across their faces because, as curious as Rapido may have made this trip, no truly dangerous missteps lost listeners along the way and the journey ends in a warm, sunny place. That feels rewarding, in its own way, and makes going the distance with Rapido through Pistols At Dawn a pleasure; while there is certainly room for improvement, this album is a good first step which will definitely be able to win some followers among those who hear it.
Artist:
www.facebook.com/pages/Rapido/
www.soundcloud.com/rapido-music
Album:
Pistols At Dawn is out now and available for download via Rapido's bandcamp page. Buy it here .
