Rise

Rubyhorse | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 21, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Island
• ASIN: B000066EZT
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #170,188 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Boston-via-Ireland rockers Rubyhorse prove themselves to be no one-trick pony on their major-label debut, Rise. The quintet's strength lies with uplifting rock decorated with catchy choruses and soaring melodies. "Sparkle" is as infectious as its name implies, rife with walls of rippling guitar and bass chime. "Happy in the Sunshine" embraces towering riffs and an Oasis-esque roar, while "Into the Lavender" has a Verve-like grasp of layered solos and controlled chaos. Other tracks showcase the band's melodicism and instrumentation--"The First of the Year" is a gentle lullaby driven by dreamy flute loops, while the majestic "Punchdrunk" contains quivering slide guitar from the late George Harrison himself. Yet spots of keyboard-driven grooves are just as infectious and temper Rubyhorse's earnestness--"Evergreen" and "Teenage Distraction" especially have a seductive electronic bite. Indeed, Rubyhorse's good-natured, upbeat content is neither trite nor clichéd, and their combination of intricate riffs and dance-floor style is seamless. Straightforward rock without being purely straightforward, the self-assured Rise is definitely an album worthy of more than a few spins. --Annie Zaleski

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rise Sparkles, May 24, 2002

By 

Kari (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rise (Audio CD)

Rubyhorse's debut album does just what the first single says -- it sparkles. Whether you like alternative rock with crunchy guitars or pop music with soaring melodies and catchy hooks, this record is for you. There's a little something for every taste here -- the haunting yet inspiring "Live Through This," the feel-good "Sparkle," the rocking "Happy in the Sunshine"... and the list goes on. Setting themselves apart from the rap-rock soundalikes on modern radio, Rubyhorse creates music that matters, and sounds incredible in the process. Do yourself a favor, and buy this album.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Rise' Breaks New Ground in Modern Rock, May 21, 2002

By 

Harith Abdullah (Albany, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rise (Audio CD)

'Rise' is an ambient, rocking delight. From the first notes of this, their debut record, it is clear that Rubyhorse have created their own sound, unlike anything out there today. In a world of conformity and normality, Rubyhorse set themselves apart as an exciting alternative to mainstream pop rock. The single, Sparkle, is just the tip of the iceberg, only hinting at the amalgam of electronic beats and rock and roll heart behind the record.

The unity of the tracks is a true rarity in modern music. The songs work so well together, and off one another, that it is impossible to think of them as a random assembly of possible singles. Happy in the Sunshine, the album opener, eases you in with a soothing sound collage, then ever so gradually shifts to an upbeat guitar anthem. The optimistic ballad Punchdrunk boasts former Beatle George Harrison on slide guitar, a great honor on which Rubyhorse have made no attempt to capitalize. The soft-spoken final track, The First of the Year, serves almost as a look forward and backward, at once a "thanks for listening" and "see you next time."

Rubyhorse's marriage of classic rock and modern stylism, European and American sounds, stunning instrumentation with melodic vocals and moving lyrics, is the perfect addition to any music fan's collection. 'Rise' is the work of a band primed for greatness.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely one of the best CDs by one of the best groups around, May 27, 2006

By 

Thomas Janowski "tomj1963" (Rochester, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rise (Audio CD)

It doesn't happen often. I take a chance, buy a CD of a group I've never heard of based on hearing one song and I love the entire CD.

I'm blown away by all the songs, but especially Evergreen, Horseless, Live Through This, Sparkle and Teenage Distraction.

They have a unique sound...