Rival Schools – Pedals

 

With a post-hardcore heritage that helped shake off derisory emo-sniping, Rival Schools’ 2001 debut United By Fate did transcend such faddish trappings, though it’s hard to imagine anyone who’s owned a Fugazi record caring. A ten year hiatus has done little to push Rival Schools’ sound out of the pre-packaged, hardcore-stepping stone that United By Fate was. In fact, Pedals sounds more neutered, with an extra layer of plastic packaging that stops your fingers from really feeling what’s underneath the safe production and risible, ever-so-slight electro touches. It’s not terrible, although plodding, ballad-like Racing To Red Lights is as close as good enough, and there’s the odd moment that may pique attention spans, particularly lead single Shot After Shot. Fortuitously, there is a track called A Parts For B Actors included. As Rival Schools embark on a support tour with Trail of Dead, it’s an analogy that seems entirely apt. [Darren Carle]