Customer Reviews

Viva Nueva

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been a fan of rustic overtones for quite some time, just based on their radio play on WCYY out of portland, their hometown. I recently picked up viva nueva at a show ( a chili fest, actually.. lol) and was pleasantly surprised to find that a couple of their older songs (check and gas on skin) were on the album. God, theres so much you could say about this album... its a damned shame that more people will probably never own it just because they're not more mainstream. It's honestly one of the greatest albums ive ever bought; their mix of funk, jazz, hard rock and hip-hop beats is just amazing, and the david bowie track (sector z) is absolutely incredible. The standout (aka, "odd") track here is definitely "baby blue", but not because its bad; its a great, light jazzy little number thats no more than a gruff voice away from elevator music (but in a good way.. trust me!). If i could sum this all up in a few words, they would be BUY THIS ALBUM. Its smart enough for a critic, and danceable enough for a pop fan, and all around great. Goes great with chili, too.

This is an album that you'll never get tired of. It has elements of rock, jazz, funk, salsa, blues and hip hop, among others. Rustic Overtones manage to pack hard core rock, soft jazzy ballads, and other undefineable songs onto one album making this probably the most diverse band I've ever heard. This album has not left my CD player since I bought it over a month ago.

While browsing through the music sampling section of my local Tower Records store, I came upon this young band from Maine. What really hooked me in was the way the band fused old jazz sounds with modern keyboards and modern ska influences (the use of horns, etc.) I really didn't expect to like this CD as much as I actually do, but I'll try to explain this as best as I can. However, this band certainly isn't for everyone, some of the musical styles might not go over too well with those who aren't big jazz fans or are not fans of upbeat, light jazz rock.

As for the album, it starts off well enough with the upbeat (and rather uplifting) "C'mon." This song is probably one of the best on the album actually. With lyrics like: "If I try, I'm halfway to triumph," and "I'm alive and I'm halfway to dying." As you can see these two lyrical selections show a bizarre contrast in the choice of words. Two tracks later, you can here my personal favorite song on the album; "Love Underground." This one isn't as good lyrically as is "C'mon" however the music on this one is incredible, fusing old ska and jazz beats with modern musical concepts (such as the [what I like to call] vocal build-up [this is used again on the album at several points].) The fun of this song is just through the roof. Following this is the absolutely incredible "Hardest Way Possible." This song features much of the ska-influence that I mentioned in my first paragraph. But, like the whole of the album, this song also features alot of modern influences. The lyrics in this song are much better then many of the other songs (which at times make very little sense.)

If you like musical experimentation, or you're just into jazz-rock, ska, or other similiar musical categories you'll really like this band. If not, you might be questioning yourself as to why you ever bought the album in the first place. However, as much as I liked this album, I often find myself skipping a few tracks on this album (hence only four stars) despite the many other great songs that you can hear on "Viva Nueva!" This is defintely one to pick up though. (P.S. Listen carefully in Track 9 ["Sector Z"] for David Bowie's voice working with the refrain, his influence on this song is quite evident...) 3 1/2 - 4 Stars

Viva Rustic!

When I first heard "C'Mon" on WEQX in Vermont, I remember thinking, "Wow, these guys are good, I should get this". I did and if you do too, you won't be disappointed! The reason I'm writing this review at 12:30am instead of going to bed is because this is a truly unique, musically versatile CD. It delivers enough great songs to be a `best of' collection, unlike the normal 3 good songs that should have waited for a few more before the CD was made. Go ahead. Add it to the cart now so I can go to bed...

i heard the song "C'mon" on the radio and had to buy this album (I still think c'mon is one of the greatest songs ever written). i really like their sound and i hope to see them in concert. theyre so hard to describe that i just cant.

There is something so very wrong with the world when Weird Al Yankovic and Puff Daddy (on much the same level of musical talent) make millions and more in the music industry and a talented band like RO gets nothing. I am a huge fan of these guys and probably saw 30+ shows over a period of 4-5 years and I'm deeply saddened that they broke up. They have such an original sound, an odd fusion of funk/ska/rap/rock you name it, they're so good it makes my teeth sweat. Sadly, this means nothing in the cookie cutter world of modern music, it's a matter of who can scream the loudest (though Dave Gutter could shriek...) or who's the skankiest of them all (hello Spears and Aguilera!), not a matter of actual talent. Our music is lowest common denominator, what will hypnotize the largest amount of people into buying...bleh. Love Underground, Girl Germs, Iron Boots, Long Division, the list could go on. The band had incredible range, a lead singer with some serious mojo and a great presence.

Best of luck to the guys in RO from the kid in the Yankee hat at every show on the east coast. Cheers.

I've been listening to RO for about four years now and have yet to hear a band to rival their sound. Viva Nueva will stand as their going away album as the band broke up at the end of 2002, they will be missed. This album offers listeners a look at the growth Rustic has undergone in their eight years together. "C'Mon" remains their first major label single and MTV video but the driving beat of "Combustable" holds a place as my favorite song on the album and one of my favorite RO songs in general. If you can track them down, check out some of Rustic's earlier stuff or catch a show by the two new bands formed by former members, Paranoid Social Club and Roctopus. To sum up, get this album, get other Rustic Overtones albums and zone out to great music.

Rustic Overtones...what can I say. Their CD viva nueva is possibly the greatest disc i've ever purchased. If you are one of those people who loves unique music, you will adore these guys. The lead singers voice is unlike any I've ever heard...literally, its as strange a voice as they come.

Rustic Overtones is heavy on the bass (fun to crank in the car, subs ablaze) loud on the horns, rythmic in the beat, and massively sweet on the ears.

My only regret is that they will probably never get popular on the west coast, and I'm going to have to drive from Washington to the East Coast to see them play. When I get the money, it'll be SO WORTH IT to see them play live. Meanwhile, I'll keep listening to their cd's, spreading the news, and PRAYING that they come my way!!!

This is a great album! Never before has a band ben so mislabeled by their name than Rustic Overtones. These guys have a totally urban sound with a horn section that will blow you away. "C'mon" is one of the best opening tracks in recent memory and the rest of the album lives up to its high standards. The nice, change-of-pace track "Baby Blue" is a sentimental favorite and the chilling "Sector Z" (w/Bowie on backing vocals) is another standout. I've not seen RO live but have heard nothing but rave reviews on their shows.
Quite simply, the best album in the rock genre I've heard all year.

Dickey Barrett of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and David Bowie are fans of the Overtones. Bowie even appears on the album ("Sector Z") in a very Bowie-esque tune. These guys are the real deal! Need I say more?