Customer Reviews

All Lights Off

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Formed in 1996 out of Cresco, Iowa, Rearview Mirror is a 4-piece band that features frontman Adam Ptacek, guitarist Matt Olson, bassist Jason Ptacek, and drummer TJ Kammer. Beginning mainly as a cover band, the quartet then recorded a 12-song album in 1999 titled Blown Out, which eventually attracted the interest of various record labels. It was not until Steve Lillywhite - famed producer of such acts as U2, Dave Matthews Band, Rolling Stones, Morrissey, Peter Gabriel and many others - came into the picture that the band decided on a record company, choosing to sign with Steve's very own label and becoming the first signing to Gobstopper Records, an imprint of Chris Blackwell's Palm Pictures. From there, Rearview Mirror & Steve Lillywhite recorded the debut album All Lights Off with the record released on June 4, 2002, preceded by a 7-song Promo EP.

Featuring a dynamic clash of melodic sensibility and pulsating vibrancy, Rearview Mirror has crafted a sound that takes its own spin on modern rock by mixing elements of alt-rock and grunge with progressive ideas. Comparison wise, it is a bit hard to describe the band as they reveal many different aspects from Incubus-like nuances and Tool-ish sophistication to Pearl Jam grandeur and Live-like drama. Musically, Rearview Mirror is very proficient & creative, led by sweeping melodies & intricate guitar play, offset by tight rhythms, versatile drum work and a swirling array of inventive electronics & effects subtlety integrated into the music. Song structures meanwhile, are diverse and innovative, effectively utilizing the verse-chorus | verse-chorus formula, while adding their own unique perspectives. Looking at the vocal aspect of the band, frontman Adam Ptacek shines with his stellar vocals, showcasing great presence and dynamic range, while delivering intelligent lyrics through a collection of soaring harmonies, memorable choruses & somber melodies, all of which contains traces of Incubus melodicism, Live-like inflections, and Eddie Vedder magnetism. Overall, Rearview Mirror is a very gifted & creative band that, while a bit rough around the edges, has only begun to tap into their abilities, and even now, the group finds them selves emerging in today's rock scene as a distinct presence, possessing both freshness and timelessness.

With a concentrated emphasis on songwriting and a penchant for crafting compelling songs, Rearview Mirror has recorded an album in All Lights Off that radiates with consistency, appeal, and endurance. Leading off the twelve-track debut is the standout track and first single In The Beginning, a melodically-driven song that features melancholic verses & soaring choruses, and which ironically, was the last song written for the album, offering us a glimpse of the tremendous potential this band possesses. Moving on, the album then diversifies, ranging from the dark & moody power of 28/7 with its contrasting melodies & eclectic electronics to the more upbeat, pop-rock accessibility of such tracks as the Live-like Like They Were, and the catchy Guilty, an older song that won the 2000 Tonos songwriting competition. Another older song found on the album is Animal, which appeared on the Indie release Blown Out, and is an edgy, progressive-metal track, while City Walls is a slower-paced ballad marked by ethereal harmonies and unique, tribal-like drumming. Other notable tracks include the gripping ambiance of Dead Air, the funk-like, somber contrasted Sinking, the powerfully emotional ending track Thank You, and the harder-edged alt-rock songs in title track All Lights Off and Blade. As a whole, each song contained on All Lights Off is solidly written & performed, and showcases some different aspect of the band, though the group never deviates too from what they are best at, which is writing timeless, commercially appealing, yet edgy rock music. Though some listeners may be quick to label the band as a carbon copy of some popular band or other, in the end, Rearview Mirror does a great job of drawing from their influences, while crafting their own signature sound. And while it may be some time before the band fully breaks out into their own, it is best to note that Rearview Mirror is a very young group that has merely scratched the surface of their potential...

Truly amazing. One of the best new rock bands - young, talented and ready to rock. Has the makings of super stardom. Don't let their unknown-ness fool you - that has more to do with their label than with the talent within the band. Buy it - if you like Pearl Jam, Tool, etc. you'll love these guys. Plus, they put on an incredible live show. Keep an eye out for Rearview Mirror - you will hear more from them in the future.

I've been fortunate enough to have known about this band for time since I lived about fifteen minutes outside of Cresco while I was in High School. This album is really good, and I think everyone should give it a listen. But since this album's release, the band has gone through some tough times. I don't know exactly what happened, but somehow the band lost their record deal and drummer T.J. Krammer was either let go/fired or quit because of creative differences. At any rate, they have a new CD out that's pretty good, but it's a hard find since the band doesn't have the record deal anymore. If you are looking to buy, "All Lights Off" go ahead and do it. You won't regret it. However, consider buying their new self-titled album too. You can't get it here, but visit www.rvmonline.com and there will be a link to buy the record. It's different, but still really good. If you really like the band, they also have an older small time release entitled "Blown Out." I don't believe it's for sale anymore, but there's a site where you can download it for free. Just go to the forum on the official site and you'll find the link to Rearview Mirror source. Anyway, spread the word. This band is great, and they need your support.

I buy lots of CD's and I bought this one because someone said they sound a bit like Tool. I love Tool but I didn't expect much from Rearview Mirror. But WOW! This is one great CD. I can see their Tool influence in the intelligent lyrics, jack-hammer guitar, and strong vocals. These songs are solid from beginning to end. If you want to make a great discovery of the best band you have probably never heard of, buy this CD.

Because I'm from northeast Iowa, I've been lucky enough to hear Rearview Mirror on radio and on an EP. Hopefully people in other parts of the country will get the chance to hear this band too. Matt Olson is an amazing guitarist, and the other TJ and Jason are gifted musicians as well. I think the strength of Rearview Mirror is in Adam's vocals. He has incredible range and power. Listen to 28/7 to hear both of these talents. Adam also shines as a songwriter. The lyrics are very personal and deep. My favortie songs are City Walls, All Lights Off, and Sinking. There really isn't a bad song on the album, so they all might be my favorites. I highly recommend this album to anyone who appreciates talent.

This band started out like all other good bands, as a group of locals that loved music. They all went to college together and wrote and played in the off time, played local venues on the weekends, and we all loved them. I was suprised to see other reviews from all around the country on amazon, and figured I'd leave my peice here as well. I thought they had broken up, but apperantly they have just moved to the minnisoda area and i hope to have the chance to see them again in person. as every one else said, these guys are very talented and I would Love to see them make it big. good luck RVM, Iowa misses you.

Rearview Mirror is a blender mix of rock influences, a versatile prism of modern rock that reflects a wide range of styles.

Ptacek as a vocalist is amazing--the most talented relative unknown in the rock world. He brings great range, and a penchant for expression; anger, pain, sadness, lonliness and desperation come out in full force with lyrics like

"I'll watch you hang from the rafters /I'll watch you from beneath /'Cause today the world means nothing /Just hang and try not to think / Do you feel the blood and sweat pouring down / over your face now?" from "Dead Air" and

"...my fingertips / they bleed across the line / of these city walls cause all these lights look / like eyes to me / they're staring in / my filthy window is found to be / my only light / as this candle burns /... [this] is not the life / for which I asked / ....so vulnerable to all the pain / ...please take your shots / while I'm down here." from "City Walls"

"City Walls" is one of my top ten modern rock ballads, somewhere amongst "Bleed" by Cold and "Darkness" by Disturbed. "In the Beginning" is the token commercialized release, although even that is quite good. "All Lights Off" is hard to describe: uptempo yet insightful, introspective yet expressive, angry yet accepting. Hard-driving lead guitar riffs and a subtle bassline complement the crooning, sometimes soulful but always edgy vocals.

All Lights Off is the best CD that you've never heard of. A truly unique creative production, it breaks the mold of whining, cliched modern rock lyrics and riffs with something distinctly personal. Sure, it has its downfalls ("Guilty" is just terrible, and "Animal" is forced), but this CD will make it's way into most modern rock fans' stash of personal favorites.

this is an awesome cd...its amazingly good...ya'll should check out kammers new band fatt kamp...they are pretty good as well
www.fattkamp.com
Lizz

I'm not sure why its taken me so long to write a reveiw but just know this, I the time I've spent not writing it I've gotten to know RVM's music very well (too bad I'm no where near Cresco to catch a show). So here goes (comense rambling stream of conscious comentary).

This is one of those rare band that can do their influences proud, in their case mainly Pearl Jam and Tool. Sure neither of the those bands are exactly lacking in quantity of fledgling bands emulating them but RVM is able to admire them and then make their own music because of it rather than simply reguritate a proven song.

To me their songs sound as if they have been meticulously crafted. In "Guilty" for example entertwined layers of guitars create a sensory explosion seeming to flow irresistably one way just to rapidly change course. The whole disc is irresistable. It is predominately a rock record, with tracks like "Blade", "In the Beginning," and "Animal" invading the senses with a "take no prisonors" strike yet they undrstand that at takes a clearly and well articulated guitar is the weapon of choice, even at a milder tone. "City Walls" fills that description and is clearly one of those truly beautiful songs an ordinarily rock impassioned band gives us (much like when Alice in Chains released Nutshell).

After I thourghly fell in love with All Lights Off I was convinced this was one of those bands that musically at least could do now wrong (I know typical fan comment but hear me out). Anyhow I managed to get a copy of their first cd, which you won't find here, called Blown Out. This I won't dwell since I'm not reviewing it (although it also rocks). That record made me pazy more attention to RVM's drumming in general. I already greatly appreciated the skillful guitar work and Adam's unrelenting and loaded vocals the quality of the drum work had somehow slipped by me. In Blown Out however the drums definately hada a bit of a jazzy quality worked flawlessly into the rock. That, I love. Many bands can get away with mediocre drummers but listening to RVM you can break down that sound and appreciate every part.

Of course I recommend you just give it a listen for enjoyment. Maybe you'll like it maybe you won't but you'll never know if you don't try. And fortunately unlike heroin I'm pretty sure it's worth a go.

have good moshpitting.

I saw RVM at Summerfest this summer, never having heard of them until then, and I bought the cd on the spot... I started listening to it every day and haven't gotten sick of it yet. It is one of my favorite cds in my collection of about 230.