Review Summary: RVIVR does RVIVR all over again.
Lend an ear for RVIVR, they certainly deserve it. Their debut self-titled LP showcased brilliant songwriting and vocal harmonies which are less prevalent in the DIY punk rock scene. Somewhere between the infectious riffs of Iron Chic, and the beauty of Laura Stevenson and the Cans, is where you could place RVIVR. However, it’s hard to place band that uses simplistic punk sounds into a category all their own. RVIVR is nothing the world hasn’t heard before, yet at the same time they are a group that deserves to be in the hearts and minds of anyone who should stumble into their music. With only 23 songs put on record, RVIVR has made their mark on the radar through hard work, and original songwriting. It also doesn’t hurt that the band is another off-shoot of the Latterman cult.
Dirty Water picks up right where
RVIVR left off. Although their melodies and climatic song writing has made a drastic improvement, it’s safe to say that if you were a fan of their first effort, you are most likely going to enjoy this release. “Seethin” showcases both vocalists at their best. The male and female harmonies play off each other quite well, and their chemistry is predominant throughout the EP, but they can both hold their own ground with the best example being “Tiny Murders.”
What sets
Dirty Water apart from
RVIVR is the group’s progression in making your toe start to tap during the climax of their songs. The use of “woah oh’s” in “Seethin” and “Tiny Murders” give the songs a great rhythm without over using the cliché. Musically, the guitars have a really original tone and production that doesn't over distort the notes. The only trade off to this treble induced productions, is that the bass isn’t very predominant. While the bass playing is rather basic, it would be nice to hear it more pronounced. It’s still there, It’s just a little underwhelming. The implementation of horns on the track “Had Enough (of this Hell)” is a surprising and warm welcome. While RVIVR is far from ska, it would be nice to hear more Horns on the next release. The last track “Resilient Bastard” a cover track originally performed by Shellshag, while a fine listen, is the least interesting track on the record, but is still light years ahead of the original song.
Dirty Water is a logical progression for RVIVR, and I couldn’t see the band taking any other direction after their self titled. It is hindered slightly by an underwhelming bass presence, and a lack of anything real eye opening. The songs are still melodic and infectious, and are a solid addition in the bands short discography.
