Customer Reviews

Night on Earth

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Rialto has a sense of style and a sense of the melodramatic possibilities of pop music. These two virtues might be a little out of time in today's music scene. Who wants Rialto's ironic, sophisticated poses when white soul/grunge bands like Nickelback are topping the charts with self-hating sincerity?

If only it were 1985, Rialto would be one of the top bands, vying with Japan and Wall of Voodoo for the limelight. Maybe I should say Spandau Ballet or Duran Duran, whom they resemble more. (Today they're compared with Pulp, but, musically they're not that close. Lyrically - "When We're Together," with it's voyeuristic cool, could be a Pulp song.) Rialto write peerless anthems - "Untouchable," "Shatterproof," "Anything Can Happen" - for the forgotten, the well dressed and misunderstood. This cd sees them loosen up a little bit and rock a little harder.

I love this kind of music, and Louis Eliot was born to be a hitmaker. I don't know any band that produces never-fail hooks like Rialto. They deserve to be big, in any era.

Buy this splendid album, and their first one too.

This album, obscureyetsuperior Britpop combo Rialto's sophomore is one of the best albums of 2001 in my humble opinion. The only complaint I have about this album & the only raison d'?tre for not giving it a full five stars rating is the lyrics, which on this effort are unfortunately far more generic than the abundant ones which appeared on their eponymous debut. Other than that the album has heaps to offer- The cinematic melodies, leadsinger Louis Elliot's marvellous passiveaggressive vocals, harshyetmelodious guitarsolos courtesy of Johnny Bull (Who's also the band's producer- Can you think of any other band whose members or one of them produced their first two albums? Well I can't) & a new Rialto element- An electronic/disco influence, which gives a delicate 1980's touch to their otherwise 1960's thematic tunes. Think of the Stone Roses meets Roxette & you'll have an idea of what I'm talking about (Alright, I admit that this was a bit far off but still). If you liked Suede's Headmusic (& not many did unfortunately), if you liked Rialto's debut or if you're just a poor sod who has it for Britpop like I am then it's a mustpurchase for you. The others shouldn't be concerned, they won't get it @ any rate.

I'm not sure what else to say besides the title. Rialto reminds me a bit of Pulp and Suede, but with more sense of melody and melodrama than the aforementioned. There are also some pretty strong elements of 80's British pop (a hint of Depeche Mode, a whiff of Spandau Ballet, even a tinge of Madness). Okay, that's what the music sounds like. But the songs are very catchy, stylish and emotional, and very addicting. While they obviously have a number of influences, I don't think their music sounds like any other band's. I really love this CD and their first CD, and I'm not that big into the Brit-pop thing.

I liked the first album, and the first song, Monday Morning, was nothing short of a masterpiece: emotional, heartbreaking, and devastating. The rest of the album was good, in a "tip of the hat to the Beatles" kind of way, but completely overshadowed by the brilliance of Monday Morning.

With this new album, Rialto discovered mystery, vengeance, betrayal, murder, and a fast getaway car. Musically, the melody and arrangement is super cool--a heavily retro new wave sound of the mid-eighties thing, but with enough 21st century electronic music idioms to satisfy current electronic music fans. If I had to name likely influences, I'd say The Stone Roses, Pet Shop Boys, and New Order. In fact, the theme of this album is very much like Pet Shop Boys's first album--crime, murder, passion, and getaway cars speeding in the night.

Buy it. It's worth every penny.

Night on Earth is an awsome album. It's a perfect blend of brit-pop with very catchy synth lines and It is a step up from their first release. Great vocals and guitars with a lot of addicting melodies. If you like their previous album you will love this one the only difference is more keyboard lines and better sound production. This album is ahead of its time and no other band could ever capture their amazing sound.

Louis Eliot and company have been on the UK scene for a long time. By the time Rialto released their first album they got lumped in with the decline of Britpop and many people thought they were another Pulp. The people who actually listened to the album and had supported them at gigs knew that they had written some pop gems like "Monday Morning 5.19" and "Hard Candy." What happened was that they were dropped by their label and the record was never properly promoted. Some band members left and they gathered forces for the next battle. They always had more in common with John Barry and Brian Wilson so it made sense to spend time in the studio. They released an EP and kept in touch with fans through their website. I saw them late last year at CMJ and witnessed a renewed Rialto with some new tunes. Now that they released Night On Earth their underground following celebrates and thrives.

Drawing on more New Wave influences such as Depeche Mode, Rialto really make an impact this time out. "London Crawling" is like an encapsulation of their first album but taken sonically one step better. "Anyone Out There?" shakes the dancefloor and is Rialto at their most new wave disco. Eliot offers some familiar emotional ballads like "Catherine's Wheel" and "Three Ring Circus." Yet "Idiot Twin" and "Shatterproof" are pure Rialto seen though their new wave lenses and better ability in the studio. "Brilliant Fake" and "Deep Space" are more like a homage to Brian Wilson and The Beatles. "Drive" is a techno track which takes Rialto into new territory. Rialto are great songwriters and cannot be bothered with offering any bum tunes. Night On Earth is a great sonic journey.

(www.freewilliamsburg.com)

This album, obscure-yet-superior Britpop combo Rialto's sophomore, is one of the best albums of 2001 in my humble opinion. The only complaint I have about this album & the only reason for not giving it a full five stars rating is the lyrics, which on this effort are unfortunately far more generic than the abundant ones which appeared on their eponymous debut. Other than that the album has heaps to offer- The cinematic melodies, lead singer Louis Elliot's marvellous passive-aggressive vocals, harsh (yet melodious) guitar solos courtesy of Johnny Bull (Who's also the band's producer- Can you think of any other band whose members or one of them produced their first two albums? Well I can't) & a new Rialto element- An electronic/disco influence, which gives a delicate 1980's touch to their otherwise 1960's thematic tunes. Think of the Stone Roses meets Roxette & you'll have an idea of what I'm talking about (Alright, I admit that this was a bit far off but still). If you liked Suede's Headmusic (& not many did unfortunately), if you liked Rialto's debut or if you simply have the same penchant I have for Britpop then it's a must buy for you. The others shouldn't be concerned, they just won't get it anyway.

I loved the first album and I decided that if the next album only had one good song then I'd be really disappointed with the band. I just bought it and I now believe that this band can really make beautiful melodic songs. Everytime I listen to the songs I feel like I'm in a European film. I hope they don't break up like my other favorite bands and I hope for more albums to come.

This is by far the best album i bought in 2001. I luv every tune from first to last. Greatly arranged, beautiful lyrics and songlines that make u melt down. I am big fan of New Order, Pet Shop Boys, OMD, Heaven 17 and other bands of that style. And this album is really building a bridge between those artists. From soft and moody to powerful and strong, from breakbeats to guitars and pianos - its all in the game! You mabye know those records u would take with u on a lonesome isle where u have stranded?! Well, lemme say: THIS WOULD BE THE ONE CD OF MY 1000 CD Collection i would choose. Give a try and support one of the best bands in the scene. You wont regret it i promise!!! :0)

5 STARS + THE MOON...

I was given this CD as a gift and I never would have purchased it without any idea who this bas is but after listening to it several times I find that it is one of my most favorite albums. The music is very progressive and at times I was reminded of New Order.