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Product Description Nearly a decade after the release of their classic debut UNITED BY FATE, Rival Schools have finally returned from their hiatus to deliver their long-awaited follow-up, PEDALS. The album is an immensely satisfying second dose of what made the band so cherished when they first hit the scene, and serves a reminder of their influence on so many young bands active today. Review They were dubbed the "next Nirvana" by one over-enthusiastic American rock scribe in 2001. But despite the gushing "We love you man!"s from some quarters, it's taken Rival Schools 10 years to dish up a sequel to their great debut. In the modern era, whole empires can rise and fall in that amount of time.So the question inevitably is: "Was it worth the wait?" For the most part: "Yes it was." Times have changed, though. When Walter Schreifels' New York crew emerged at the turn of the millennium, emo and post-hardcore were only starting to nudge at the mainstream music consciousness. A decade on, many fans have had more than enough of the twin genres which became dragged down and sullied by their more gratingly commercial proponents. (Fightstar anyone?)In some ways Rival Schools were part of the start of that commodified, radio-friendly sound that was closer to stadium rock than to the sweaty basement bashing of Fugazi et al that began the scene with such a flourish. Rival Schools' biggest hit from their first record, Used for Glue, was a pop-rock hit that saw them awarded exposure on the likes of MTV. It was catchy; fame was on the cards.But while time passes, some things remain the same. Schreifels – who also founded New York hardcore band Quicksand in the 1990s – still has that customary growl. On Racing to Red Lights it still sounds like he's swallowed a cheese grater.The band broke up for five years between 2003 and 2008, but this doesn't sound like a reunion based on the need to pay the mortgage. Comeback single Shot After Shot is a tightly produced, appealing slice of discordant guitar-shredding. Liberal use is made of pedals to summon up wizardly distortion and effects – a Rival Schools trademark which gives an almost prog feel on the likes of Big Waves.The best song on Pedals is Eyes Wide Open. It combines potent riffs, anthemic choruses, the aforementioned effects pedals gone crazy – and leaps into a different league because the normal chugging rhythm section is prised apart with some natty changes of time signature. It's like the soundtrack to a wall of cardboard boxes being knocked over and kicked around a warehouse. --Chris Beanland Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off in a new window
S**D
Welcome to (some) winners
Far too long a gap between Rival Schools albums (I suppose Walter's been busy with solo stuff). I loved their first album and was looking forward to this. I wasn't disappointed. This material sits between his old band Quicksand and his criminally-overlooked Walking Concert album "Run to be born".Overall the sound is quite accessible for the main part.Highlights:69 Guns - fairly steams along with an uptempo swagger but is actually quite radio-friendly.Choose Your Adventure - probably my fave from the album. Bet this goes down well live.Racing to Red Lights.Shot After Shot - this is very reminiscent of Quicksand.Small Doses - laidback cool.
B**B
Five Stars
perfect
D**L
Well worth the wait
10 years is a long time but when you come out with an album like this it's definitely worth the wait, can't find a bad track on the album.
C**1
Rival Schools - Pedals
As an album of Rock songs go this is a pretty good album. The problem Rival Schools will have is that their album "United By Fate" was a fantastic bunch of songs, released at a time when that genre of music was hitting the rock world with a bang and fitted perfectly in to that moment. Rival Schools fans will always be looking for comparisons to that great album but, as with time, bands move forward and try different things. And after a long break away you cant really expect them to produce "United By Fate 2"Pedals has 10 songs all of which are good enough to be released on any album. "Wring It Out" is a very good opening song setting the scene and sound for the rest of the album, "Eyes Wide Open" "Shot After Shot" and "Big Waves" are very good "Rock" songs with album closer "The Ghost Is Out There" finishing off the album nicely.If you think that this band has been away for a very long time this sounds like the "Finding their feet" album and was never ever going to live up to "United By Fate" But as I mentioned already if you want an album of solid rock songs and dont go comparison shopping in the past you will thoroughly enjoy this album.The only reason this is four stars for me rather than five is because im not totally happy with the production as the guitar needs to be higher up in the mix and can sound very bassy when listening out loud but thats just my personal gripe with it. Listen on MP3 player for ultimate sound : )Welcome back Rival Schools!
C**S
Well Worth The Decade Wait!
I was one of those who loved United By Fate.I didn't jump on the "Next Nirvana" bandwagon as there was no need - United By Fate was a fantastic album full of great rock songs that really struck a chord with me.Walter Schreifels' voice along with the band's distinctive grungey sound is back on Pedals, an album just like its predecessor full of great rock songs.Rival Schools are not reinventing the wheel, but they will have undoubtedly made their fans happy.Album opener 'Wring It Out' is as strong as anything on United By Fate (except perhaps 'Used For Glue'). '69 Guns' is catchy (although little bit Goo Goo Dolls) and 'Eyes Wide Open' rocks, albeit in a slightly regimental fashion. 'Racing To Red Lights' is gorgeous though and 'Shot After Shot' a head-nodder which will sound great live.'Choose Your Adventure' is an odd one, adding a new but I think misguided sound to Rival Schools' palette and ' A Parts For B Actors' is dull and one-paced.The final three tracks though ensure that Pedals goes out with a bang rather than a whimper and I for one am incredibly glad that Rival Schools made the decision to not just take the money from a reunion tour built on the back of one of the most impressive albums of the early nineties, but to record new music with seemingly the same gusto they had a decade ago.
M**E
Superb
Thought the 1st album (united by fate) was superb, but then it seemed the band had vanished into the ether. Was pleasantly surprised when I saw this available for download. In my opinion it sounds slightly softer overall than the 1st album, however it's still awesome and I think I prefer it (maybe because I played United by Fate to death). If you haven't listened to United by Fate I'd recommend buying both.
M**R
Decent
United by Fate is one of the ver very few albums that has lasted the test of time in my opinion. I can still listen to it today and enjoy it every bit (if not more) as much as the day I first bought it.So, fast forward 10 years or so and we finally get a follow up. Question is, whats changed? well, not a lot really and in fairness this cant be a drawback. Why mess with a winning formula. Opening 3 tracks of Pedals would fit beautifully on United, they a re great, classic Rival Schools songs. I also really enjoyed Small Doses and Shot After Shot. There is some progression in Choose Your Adventure which has a very different sound to it that I think you will either love or hate.For me though, the issue isnt the lack of quality, its the lack on content. After 10 years I expected something more than an album that lasts just over 35mins. NME magazine (who I hate btw, but just noticed a little piece they wrote about this album on the web) mentioned that Pedals would have been better if it had been released in 2002. I actually agree with this. Had it been released then I think it would have been an excellent solid 2nd album however after 10 years it just leaves you wanting a lot more and slightly unsatisfied.