Bandits return
12.3.09 / A&E / By Samuel Dixon
In 1995 the Rx Bandits formed to give the third wave ska revival of the 90s a much needed revival. However, over the years, they have strayed from their ska roots and now find themselves working under the self-proclaimed title of Groove Tech.
So how do those Bandits sound with almost no trace of horns? Well, their new album “Mandala” is a look into their past and what we can expect from them in the future.
The Bandits are legendary for their album openers, and this album is no different. “My Lonesome Only Friend” starts with synth piano, which quickly builds to dueling guitars and a fast drum beat.
They set the tone for the album quickly with the lyrics clearly stating the mission statement (Oh give me what I please: / the desire to be free, / just to stop all the pain and the shiverin’.). Every member jumps into the action having at least one moment to shine, however this leads to one of the flaws of the album.
Since the band now has less to work with, it often feels like they’re showing off. This is not really a bad thing, since they’re all very talented, but often songs feel more like a showcase of what they can do without really having a clear vision of where the song is going.
The third and forth songs, “Hope is a Butterfly, No Net It’s Captor, She Beats Her Wings and Softly Sings of Summer Scent and Childrens Laughter (Virus of Silence)” and “Hearts That Hanker for Mistakes” respectively, capture what the Rx Bandits do best.
They have the ability to change styles up in the middle of a song and make it feel natural. Both pacing and playing patterns change to fit almost every line of lyrics. Those lyrics continue to drive the “believe in what you believe” message home with lines like (Are you livin’ the life that you dream for? / Or are you workin’ just to survive? / There’s a war that is waged / in the mind,” and “Indoctrined assassin berate with the force-feed fear. / They tremble with trepidation. / No shackel can jail the heart.)
“Mientras La Veo Soñar” the next song on the album maybe one of the best, but this comes at a price. This song sounds almost identical to every song that was on the last album “…And the Battle Begun.”
Now this is not a bad thing since the last album was fantastic. The song feels the most put together of any off the album, but its a shame that some of the other songs did not have same care put into them that this one clearly had.
The next two songs take things down a notch and focus almost exclusively on the vocals, with “White Lies” being a personal favorite from the album. At first, you want to hate the song since it’s not the action-rock that drives the rest of the album, but listen to it a few times and the break from the nonstop action comes as a very welcome break.
The lyrics also take a change in this song. Instead of being focused on challenging everything, it makes sure to tell the listener that it’s not an easy thing to do (It’s easier to say it, / harder still to execute. / Each defines her own sense of divine. / Not gonna let it out, till I find something better).
The rest of the songs are standard Bandits, and if you have ever listened to the band you know what you’re getting yourself into. These songs also feature what little horns are left in the band. It’s a shame that they are no longer there. They did so much for the band, but a lot of the songs off the album would sound strange with them in, so it might be for the better.
“Bring Our Children Home or Everything is Nothing” caps the album with all the energy it opened with. The lyrics make sure you keep the message in mind (Stand tall my brothers! / Naked as a flame, / you’re the one that they wanted, now / give back the mother’s heart! / Buried beneath the blame, / stay true my sisters!/ Impervious to their shame).
So what is the verdict here? Well, if you’re an Rx Bandits fan, you need to get it; if not, this one’s a tough one. On one note, the band is talented and clearly knows what they’re doing, however often it comes across as showing off. You almost need an understanding of what they used to be before you can grow to like this album. The album is a good buy, but a listen through might be required.
Luckily the Bandits is a band that likes to share, so you can find a lot of the music for free over at their blog. Rx Bandits’ “Mandala” is out now on digital download and can be found at your local record store. The band is currently working wrinting and recording their new album. They will be playing the Soundwave Festival in Australia along with a few sideshow performances with Sunny Day Real Estate, Motion City Soundtrack and Glassjaw.
Samuel Dixon is the entertainment editor of The Call.
Tags: Album Review, Music, Rx Bandits, Ska |