I bought this album on the cheap after hearing my mate constantly telling me how good they are. I dunno if it was because I was expecting too much or whatever but I got home and started playing it and I couldn't get into it at all. Everytime I listened to it after that, the songs slowly started to grow on me and it eventually became one of the most played CDs I own.
Rx Bandits play a mix of ska, rock and emo, with a fair bit of reggae thrown in as well. Matt Embree (singer/guitarist) writes some amazing songs with meaningful lyrics.
Anyway...
1. Intro
I don't know why bands do this. It's annoying as hell.
2. VCG3
Starts with some clean guitar, then everything kicks in. Matt's voice seems quite mellow in this song. The chorus has a catchy vocal line and some horns in the background as well. Right from the start you can tell they're a band heavily influenced by emo. The outro is pretty awesome, the band slows to half-time with some heavy guitars and the odd scream thrown in.
3. Consequential apathy
Starts off with a fast repeating bassline, then after a brief vocal solo opens into a fast-paced ska song. The first verse really shows off Matt's voice. Again, the chorus features some emo-style screams and guitars. The bit after the chorus has got some awesome hi-hat work. One of my favourite songs on the album.
4. Analog boy
One of the catchiest songs on the album. The song starts with some minor stuff from the bass and a Hammond B3, which leads into the quiet verse. The chorus sticks in your head like nothing else. This is one of my least favourite songs on the album, but that's because I've heard this song so much in the past I've gotten pretty sick of it.
5. Get
Begins with just vocals and guitar, then leads into a really cool riff played by guitar and bass. I really like the lyrics in this song. The line I always remember is, "I need some money for just one more hit or at least one more bullet".
6. All the time
Yet another incredibly catchy chorus. The intro has some nifty chordal picking and stuff. A good song, but not one of the best.
7. In all Rwanda's glory
A great, great reggae song. A cool intro which follows on from #6, with some cool basslines and some even cooler stuff with a Hammond (god I want one of those). A very downbeat song. At about halfway through everything stops and there a some heavily delayed vocals (very well mixed). Everything until the end of the song seems like an improv.
8. Babylon
The best reggae song on the album. Some delayed guitar in the intro, where Matt is hammering on to standard ska chords to create something pretty original. Not the catchiest, but one of the most thought-through songs on the album.
9. Who would've thought
Begins with some emo-esque octave work on guitar before quickly moving on to some fast ska. The bass is tight, although you have to be listening out for it to hear it. Another chorus designed to get people singing.
10. Status
The most poppy song on the album. Some more funky hi-hat stuff, but again the main focus is on the vocals. The chorus in this song wouldn't be out of place if your run-of-the-mill boyband was singing it on CD:UK (I'm not joking). Things get heavier in the bridge. A solid song, good for the summer.
11. Anyone but you
I laughed the first time I heard this song. The intro sounds like some guy doing some really dodgy karaoke. Things pick up though, and it develops into a good song. The chorus, again, is amazing. The most emo song on the album.
12. Nugget
The last reggae song on the album. Good hornlines and well written lyrics.
13. Progress
A great song with probably the best chorus on the album. It's a shame it only comes in about halfway through the song. A combined guitar and bass riff marks the end of the verse. Many people's favourite song after #9.
14. Nothing sacred
15. Infection
Overall - 4.5/5
One of the best albums I own.
