Customer Reviews

On Top

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

 

 

How does an album that combines the best elements of AC/DC and The Jesus Lizard sound to you? If you're like me, you say "excuse me, where do I sign up?"

"On Top," it must be said, is a huge departure for Rye Coalition. While "Hee Saw Dhuh Kaet" and "The Lipstick Game" were both clearly born of the 90's noise-punk aesthetic, "On Top" is 45 minutes full of slightly off-kilter FM Radio riffing and ironic sex lyrics. It's kind of unsettling, as you can tell that Rye are taking themselves much, much, much less seriously this time around and just having fun rawkin' out in an appropriately cheesy manner. The songs are better-written and anthemic this time around, miles from the atonal, yet fun, screeching of "Hee Saw Dhuh Kaet," and topping the previous high-water mark of "The Lipstick Game."

But before you think that Rye Coaliton are just treading the water left in the Tight Bros From Way Back When's wake,Rye Coalition attack this music with such glee that it just seems natural. All ten tracks are bloody great rock and roll songs, but side one is definately stronger, with each barn-burning track rocking harder than the last, climaxing with the "Give the kids a shot! What is it they want?" chant of "Stop Eating While I'm Smoking."

This album is so hot. If you havent seen this band live you are missing out so get this album now and keep your eyes peeled for tour dates in your area. For those of you that have, you have felt the intensity of what Rye can do and you must have this album if you dont already. I cannot fully express in words the power of Rye Coalition. This Jersey bands rocks harder than any other bands around right now. This record is a testament to that fact. Get this now! Your heart rate craves it!

The Rye Coalition have been destined for a major label for a long time -- they are way more deserving of radio play than other "mainstream indie" bands like the Hives and the Strokes, and yet until the Summer of 2003 when they signed to DreamWorks, they were largely unappreciated. Only time will tell where their new major-label home will take them.

But all that history has nothing to do with the quality of "On Top". In short, this album rocks. The homage to classic rock song titles are a little much ("stairway to the free bird on the way to the smokey water"?!), but don't let that get in the way of your enjoyment of the actual songs, which really will shake you all night long. The only disappointment in this album is that the energy that these songs have live -- especially the album-closer "Honky, Please!" -- gets a little lost in the studio recordings. The lyrics are meaningless, but you won't care -- you'll be too busy shaking your booty.

What can I say about this album that other folks haven't said already? This has to be one of the best albums I've had the pleasure of listening to in a long while. I purchased this bad boy when it first hit the shelfs and not a day has gone by that I haven't listened to it at least once. It is truly a stellar album which merits multiple listens. There isn't one bad cut on the album itself and rocks you harder than most other bands out today. I'd have to say that the final three cuts on the 2nd side of the LP are a perfect trio. There hasn't been an album that closes with such passion, force and gusto like this in a long time. "Honey, Please" is a perfect example of what the group is able to pull off. I can listen to that song over and over again (and I have!) For those of your who are fans of bombastic yet intelligent and tasteful rock n' roll, this album and band alike is quintessential.

Rye Co aren't the typical modern rock.. The difference between them and other current modern rockers, is that...RYe Co knows how to rock!. their most recent release, "On Top" shows that, and all of you rockers out there should go get this record right now!

I remember seeing these guys in 96' or 97' and being blown away they were truly the next big thing (o.k. how about the next thing). Anyway back in the days of "White Jesus", "Baby", ect. they truly had something original. I remember seeing the beginning of the downfall of this band as they became obsessed with the Zep (no shame in that, but don't rework your band to be like the Zep, for god sakes theres already a Zep). Any way this album is an unsuccessful fusion of 60's and 70's Stones, Zep and CCR riffs mixed w/ some gang of four and wire and I dunno, it just don't work. I personally think they should change their name so to not confuse this with the past genius of the rye coalition.

Like everyone has already said, this is Jesus Lizard meets AC/DC. You like it or you don't and I don't. If I can hear the styles the band is lifting than obviously so can you. In other words, go buy some Jesus Lizard or some AC/DC and be done with it. Yes, Ralph or whatever the singer's name is in this band did get cuffed in the mouth by David Yow and deservedly so. Steve Albini needs to back off when he says the Jesus Lizard "sold out" when they went to a major and quit trying to fake people out. Producing Steve, yes producing not "recording" albums by Chevelle, Page and Plant, that Aussie teenage grunge band whatever their name is and especially these guys is very underground of you to do Mr. Steve. 2 stars for "trying" to rock since they are "better" than The Strokes, Jet, or White Stripes but really how hard can that be?