RAT CITY RIOT belong to the kind of bands that have been touring Europe for years, literally playing their hearts out and yet are only slowly gaining the recognition they deserve. They are in a league with Born To Lose from Texas, who, however, play a few spots higher on the charts.
RAT CITY RIOT from San Diego have experienced numerous lineup changes in recent years, which is why the quality of their last albums has varied.
Now, the band from the USA seems to have found a lineup that makes all band members happy (see also the interview with RAT CITY RIOT on ramtatta.de. The link is: http://www.ramtatta.de/interviews,id-104.html) and which is already seasoned from touring.
The band has named their album “Highway Hymns,” fitting for the long drives on tour. It’s a title that is both logical and memorable. At the same time, the title also indicates where the journey is headed. Always forward, stagnation is not in the boys' interest.
The 14 songs on the album are all suitable for a spirited drive, especially “Rat Race” or the title track “Highway Hymns.”
The band has solidified their sound compared to their previous albums.
It’s fucking almost Dirty Rock’n’Roll.
The voice of singer Noah couldn’t be more fitting for it.
The band has largely moved away from their original Oi-influenced street punk and has instead dedicated themselves to melody. This step does the band good.
The band’s slower songs are played with feeling, while the fast songs are powerful. Singer Noah can handle his voice perfectly in every situation. The band plays together in a way that makes it a joy to listen. RAT CITY RIOT packs everything they’ve got into “Highway Hymns,” and that’s a lot. So it’s not surprising that when you listen for the first time, you wonder if all these songs are from one album. Nevertheless, the red thread is always recognizable. The band knows what they want and does what they enjoy.
“Highway Hymns” is a great album on its own, perhaps the best album the band has released so far, but above all, you have to see the band live. So much energy, so much joy in playing, and so much enthusiasm is rarely seen. That the band also has a sense of humor becomes clear at the latest when they close their live program with “Looking for Freedom” by David Hasselhoff. It’s exactly this kind of humor that many bands lack and which makes RAT CITY RIOT all the more likeable.
