The last time we heard from RIVAL STATE, the London/New Zealand based rockers had dropped their debut EP; “Youth Tax”, which sounded full of promise and potential with its slick yet simultaneously gritty rock ‘n’ roll based sound. In those six tracks they showed they could more than pen a tune, opening many ears on the UK live circuit…so it’s with much excitement we receive their newest EP; “Gutter Mouth” with open arms…can the five-piece rival their debut, or, are they musically in a bit of a state? Let’s take a listen…
We open with the title track, which, after an initially slow start becomes a solid, guitar driven, chugging, post-grunge type affair…not as up-beat as previous material, the band have seemed to have opted for a deeper, harder approach whilst retaining elements of their core sound, and it’s interesting to see the guys tweaking, testing and trying new ideas as a unit. “Keepsake” follows with a little more rhythm to it, it’s one of those tracks you’d happily clap along to at live shows, there’s a simplicity here but leading into the chorus, we return to that slightly harder sound the band seem to be dabbling in, much like “Modern Living”, more meaty guitars than melody here…it’s slow but steady.
“Graves” finds itself being the obligatory gentle offering of the EP, and edgy chorus aside it’s really laid-back, however it lacks the catchy appeal of its earlier counterpart from the first EP, “Fall From The Sky”, it just doesn't have that hook to it, before we finish up on “Rat Race”, and here they've saved the best until last. Granted it’s not a patch on their old stuff but it is the catchiest offering here, it’s got great rhythm, it’s got the cheeky swagger we've became accustomed to associating the band with and it ends the EP on a real high note. As a whole, it’s obvious the band are broadening their appeal, there’s more weight behind their writing, and while a new approach can be appreciated, the heavier style detracts from what made the debut so damn good. It’s not to say this belongs in the gutter, not at all, but it could have been better. [6]
We open with the title track, which, after an initially slow start becomes a solid, guitar driven, chugging, post-grunge type affair…not as up-beat as previous material, the band have seemed to have opted for a deeper, harder approach whilst retaining elements of their core sound, and it’s interesting to see the guys tweaking, testing and trying new ideas as a unit. “Keepsake” follows with a little more rhythm to it, it’s one of those tracks you’d happily clap along to at live shows, there’s a simplicity here but leading into the chorus, we return to that slightly harder sound the band seem to be dabbling in, much like “Modern Living”, more meaty guitars than melody here…it’s slow but steady.
“Graves” finds itself being the obligatory gentle offering of the EP, and edgy chorus aside it’s really laid-back, however it lacks the catchy appeal of its earlier counterpart from the first EP, “Fall From The Sky”, it just doesn't have that hook to it, before we finish up on “Rat Race”, and here they've saved the best until last. Granted it’s not a patch on their old stuff but it is the catchiest offering here, it’s got great rhythm, it’s got the cheeky swagger we've became accustomed to associating the band with and it ends the EP on a real high note. As a whole, it’s obvious the band are broadening their appeal, there’s more weight behind their writing, and while a new approach can be appreciated, the heavier style detracts from what made the debut so damn good. It’s not to say this belongs in the gutter, not at all, but it could have been better. [6]
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