High Hopes on the Rocks
Rimbacher
Despite my best efforts, I was not able to find much information about the band on social media, so we are going to have to let the music talk here. Their newest album has ten songs, and “Worldkiller” is first. Following a short introduction, the main riff rolls in, and the song has both guts and energy. The chorus is positive, and has a big hook. All I can say about this song really is that is just makes you feel good. “Dry Body Passion” also has an energetic sound, fueled by a crunchy riff, meaty bass notes, vocal harmonies, and even some high pitched screams from Niko. That chorus will get stuck in your head as well.
“Loving You (Is Loving A Broken)” has a more tender and thoughtful sound, and you can hear the lamentations in both the vocals and the music. The bridge after the second chorus carries with it some grey skies that are not likely to pass anytime soon. “Cocaine Eyes & Nicotine Stains” has a big anthemic quality to it, especially when the band slows in the gas a bit and then floors it again at the chorus. Also, kudos to the band for letting the bassist be heard. This sounds like something simple, but many bands bury the bass in the final mix. “Pluto” Is another song with infectious energy and hooks that go on for days. You can’t help but let this music just energize you from the inside out.
“Rock to Ruin” reminds me of the 80’s band FASTER PUSSYCAT, as it is fast moving, and even tinged with a bit of Punk. “Out for More” has a memorable riff that smartly uses melody to tell its emotional tale. It doesn’t really commit one way or the other, rather it straddles the line between hope and despair, and you can hear that conflict in the lyrics. “Last Breath of Rock ‘n’ Roll” is a fitting title for the closer on the album, and it has that high energy, and sounds like an old school AC/DC track. It’s a rocker through and through from start to finish. Overall, this was an excellent album. Of course, the band isn’t trying to recreate the wheel, but the album is honest, and it has a lot of energy. In the end, it just makes you feel good, and isn’t that the point of music in the first place?
8 / 10
Excellent
Songwriting
Musicianship
Memorability
Production
"High Hopes on the Rocks" Track-listing:
1. Worldkiller
2. Luxury
3. Dry Body Passion
4. Loving You (Is Loving A Broken)
5. Cocaine Eyes & Nicotine Stains
6. Pluto
7. Rock to Ruin
8. Chasing Ghosts
9. Out for More
10. Last Breath of Rock 'n' Roll
Rimbacher Lineup:
Osku "Sticky" Kilpi – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Niko Rimbacher – Vocals
Jouni Kauppinen – Drums
Reisca Morani – Bass, Backing Vocals
Jim "Jimbo" Heikkinen – Guitars, Backing Vocals
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