Review Summary: Featuring heightened musicianship, better production and yet another incredible vocal performance, Rishloo are back and better than ever.
Many events can transpire in five years and this holds especially true for the completely independent progressive band known as Rishloo. Shortly after the release of their third LP, their singer, who also happens to be their greatest asset, decided to part ways with the band. Though the band tried to carry on as a solely instrumental group, it wasn't long before Andrew reunited with Rishloo because they all knew that they weren't finished yet. According to the band,
Living as Ghosts with Buildings as Teeth was a record that they had to get out of their system and too right this claim was. Over the course of these five years, the band spent time improving their overall musicianship, song writing abilities and chemistry as a band. In addition to this, just when the listener thinks that Andrew’s vocals can’t get any better, he returns more powerful than ever with an increased level of stamina. Judging from all of the improvement, Rishloo has returned better than ever with their most progressive release yet.
Showcasing their more aggressive side in the first half, the record is sure to suck the listener in right off the bat. In “Great Rain Beattle,” their increased musicianship shows with fantastic guitar and more involving bass and percussion as well as Andrew’s voice showing off a combined Maynard James Keenan/Gavin Hayes sound. However, “Dark Charade” proves to be where everyone in the band truly shines. With a more subdued introduction, it serves as the calm before the storm, using a softer side in the beginning and a more ambient interlude, but once the four minute mark comes along the payoff begins to show. After a catchy guitar hook, it turns into the most thrilling song on the record as it builds to a number of awesome climaxes. It’s their most progressive song yet and is likely to bring in many more fans.
However, make no mistake that the two songs sandwiched in between them also pull no punches. “Landmines” features more of the exemplary guitar work seen in “Great Rain Beattle,” but also happens to be a more lyrically engrossing one. This song shows that the band also heavily improved their lyrically ability by dropping any evidence of cheese as opposed to their previous releases which were admittedly quite cheesy at times. In addition to this, “Landmines” is another track that swells to an epic climax in the final minutes and “Dead Rope Machine” is no exception. Boasting Rishloo’s atmospheric side quite well, the greatness in "Dead Rope Machine" lays in Andrew’s powerful delivery and emotional impact in the final minutes. Coupled with soaring instrumentals and an amazing falsetto adding some extra terrain at the end, this track will make the listener’s jaw drop.
Opposing the first half of the record is the much more subdued second half which gives the band a chance to display more lyrical excellence. The lyrical highlight proves to be “Salutations” with its chilling account of a man gently expressing his pessimism with losing his way in the world as well as revealing flaws about all of us in the process. Andrew quietly sings “These are only words and artificial tones/We’re just skin and bones playing telephone with things we probably never said at all” with a sense of honesty and sadness. It covers the idea of irony because its true those truly are “only words,” but at the same time, the song itself makes us see how words can also be our most powerful and emotional tool. In addition to these masterful lyrics, the band tries new things here by using distant ambient elements and synths which works out very well for them. Also displaying an expertly crafted subdued mood, “Radio” is driven beautiful vocals and an emotional atmosphere whereas “Winslow” features a more guitar influenced vibe and the guitar work doesn't disappoint in the slightest.
Despite all of the positives mentioned here, the record is certainly not perfect. “Just a Ride” closes out the record in a more underwhelming manner which makes the listener question why “Dark Charade” wasn't the closer. While not a bad song by any means and showing off a fantastic section of epic drumming, compared to everything else on the record nothing truly interesting happens here. In addition to “Just a Ride” being an underwhelming closer, Andrew surprisingly enough is another gripe. Even though he’s probably one of the most talented and underrated singers out there, he’s overused here at many times and his soaring vocals often overshadow the drums which are a little quieter in the mix than they should be. He’s the band’s most prized asset without a doubt, but there reaches a point where more from the rest of the band should get the spotlight because they sure as hell deliver here.
All gripes aside, Rishloo revived themselves like a phoenix from the ashes and deliver a true return to form. Fans and non fans who were displeased with the production on
Eidolon could rest easy because their production here improved immensely in addition to everything else. Overall musicianship, song writing and vocals have reached a tipping point here and once everything is said and done, the listener will only desire more. Rishloo are back and better than ever so be sure to not pass up this hidden 2014 gem.
