When this 'Progress' album was released in 2001, the type of music that RX Bandits produce was greatly popular and in order to try and capitalise on the success of the Ska Punk genre the band here released a more pop heavy album than they ever had done before or in fact have done since. Less ... Read review
Advantages: Excellent lyrics, fine melodies, super vocals, and fantastic musicianship. Disadvantages: More pop heavy than other RX Bandits albums, this may put some listeners off.
When this 'Progress' album was released in 2001, the type of music that RX Bandits produce was greatly popular and in order to try and capitalise on the success of the Ska Punk genre the band here released a more pop heavy album than they ever had done before or in fact have done since. Less Than Jake and Reel Big Fish were always the leading names in the scene, RX Bandits failed to ever catapult to that sort of level of fame however but nonetheless ... ...and dedicated fan base. 'Progress' was not a great commercial success, nor did it receive any real rave reviews from the leading names in the press, it is however an excellent album from the band and one that I personally have a great love of.
Fittingly beginning with an introduction track titled simply 'Intro', never does this 'Progress' album disappoint and always in fact it impresses hugely. There is some highly energetic music ... more
When this 'Progress' album was released in 2001, the type of music that RX Bandits produce was greatly popular and in order to try and capitalise on the success of the Ska Punk genre the band here released a more pop heavy album than they ever had done before or in fact have done since. Less Than Jake and Reel Big Fish were always the leading names in the scene, RX Bandits failed to ever catapult to that sort of level of fame however but nonetheless had (and in fact still do have) a very loyal and dedicated fan base. 'Progress' was not a great commercial success, nor did it receive any real rave reviews from the leading names in the press, it is however an excellent album from the band and one that I personally have a great love of.
Fittingly beginning with an introduction track titled simply 'Intro', never does this 'Progress' album disappoint and always in fact it impresses hugely. There is some highly energetic music here, always these RX Bandits tracks are packed full of life and never do the band sound at all unimpressive as they smash their way through this album. Tracks such as 'All The Time', title track 'Progress' and closing track 'Infection' explode into action and never disappoint. Always RX Bandits impress me with their closing tracks, and perhaps none more so than with 'Infection'. This is perhaps my favourite track that the band has ever recorded, every time I hear it I smile to myself as I take in the excellent vocals, fine drum beat, and super melody. Everything is perfect, nothing is out of place, and always there is such energy and enthusiasm present here. There's good reason why RX Bandits are one of my favourite bands, and tracks such as 'Infection' sum up perfectly why I have such a fond love for this band.
'All The Time' has one of my favourite choruses in an RX Bandits song. The lyrics aren't as effective as they can be with this band, but the melody of this track is excellent and humming along whilst listening is therefore a definite must. With it's soothing introduction and perfect progression, I do not have a bad word to say about this one. I love everything about the great track that is 'All The Time', I love it so much that I do in fact listen to it all the time. I do not have quite such a fondness for title track 'Progress' as I do for 'All The Time' and 'Infection', it is however an upbeat and energetic offering that I can't help but mention in further detail here. The track progresses well, comes complete with some brilliant guitar work and in my opinion sounds absolutely excellent.
As well as the more upbeat and energetic offerings that this album contains, there are also a number of slower paced but equally vital and excellent tracks included on this album. 'In All Rwanda's Glory' is the ultimate example of a more reggae influenced sound from the band, pulled off with great expertise by RX Bandits and always entertaining with it's lyrical content which tackles the issues of war and race. The lyrics are brilliant, they really mean something to listen to and it is obvious that a lot of time and effort went into the construction of this track lyrically. As well as being blessed in the lyrics department it is also an excellent song, a chilled out and greatly laid back number which is extremely pleasing to listen to.
RX Bandits always have something interesting to say with their lyrics, it is this I feel that makes the band stand out from the crowd. Most bands producing ska influenced music tend not to have particularly interesting lyrics, but when listening to the albums of RX Bandits great insight can always be gained from listening carefully to exactly what it is that the band has to say. It is easy to let the lyrics wash over you due to the catchy and hugely upbeat nature of the music, but not to take the lyrics in would be to miss out on half the impact of the music. The music alone that RX Bandits produce is plenty enough to keep you entertained, but the lyrics that the songs behold allow for a whole other level of listening satisfaction and ultimate enjoyment.
The music of RX Bandits is extremely effective, never has the band released a bad album yet and every time that RX Bandits come forth with a new release I am always hugely excited. Some bands seem to become progressively worse with every album, each time a new release emerges the band has less to say and fewer ideas to work with; this is not the case with RX Bandits, every time they come back with a new album you know that it is going to be of an exceptional standard. Not once have RX Bandits ever let me down as a band, I own all of their studio albums and wouldn't have it any other way. Make sure you give 'Progress' a listen, you'll surely not be disappointed with what you hear from the excellent band that is RX Bandits.
Advantages: An excellent album blending Ska and Pop Punk to perfection. Disadvantages: Better RX Bandits albums have been released than this.
of RXBandits, it's definitely not hugely apparent though as the album unfolds and the band progress through the eleven tracks of this album.
Although this album is blessed with a number of key tracks, there are a definite few tracks that I see as highlights here. 'Wrong With Me' and 'Andrea' are two such examples of tracks that I have always held a fond love of. To me there is nothing more powerful than when the band belts out the vocal line of 'Retribution uniting of our nation, come on let's join this revolution', it is perhaps the ultimate highlight of this album for me and the reason why I have listened to the track 'Andrea' on so many occasions throughout the years. It's not my favourite track that the band has ever recorded, far greater tracks are included on other of their albums but it is definitely up there amongst the best. It ...
Advantages: A couple of decent tracks Disadvantages: For the most part the album is deeply disappointing
Good Charlotte a proper chance and purchased their 'Good Morning Revival' album.
With a minute long introduction in the form of opening track 'Good Morning Revival', we are soon launched into the album properly with the first real track 'Misery'. This is a track I have been extremely impressed with - sounding more like RXBandits than Good Charlotte, the band here progress through a mellowed out track with an extremely chilled out vibe and atmosphere about it. It is an excellent sound for the band and suits them wonderfully with some superb Metal guitar riffs providing some fantastic interludes every so often throughout the tracks four minute duration. 'Misery' is perhaps one of the highlights of the album, however as the track comes to an end the album just seems to go from strength to strength.
Directly following on from 'Misery ...
Advantages: Brilliant use of guitars, excellent vocals, and hugely powerful drum beats. Disadvantages: This hour of music just doesn't seem to last long enough.
of Lunacy)', I'd probably say that this is one of the poorest tracks from this album, it's not greatly exciting but it also has a powerful finishing point also as the band come to a screeching and in fact shouting halt.
The final two tracks of this 'The Resignation' album are absolutely excellent. 'Pal-Treaux' is an impressive number from the band which once more makes great use of the guitar and drums also. The vocals are well put across, and nothing sounds at all out of place as RXBandits charm their way through this supreme penultimate moment in 'The Resignation'. It's lead up to and progression into final track 'Decrescendo' is totally sensational, and I have to say that this final track is one of the best that I have ever heard. Such great energy, excitement, and above all passion is exhibited in 'Decrescendo', few tracks impress me as ...
Rx Bandits: Matt Embree (vocals, guitar); Rich Balling (trombone, background vocals); James Salomone (bass); Chris Tsagakis (drums). Additional personnel includes: Kate Carter (violin, viola); Brad Lindsay (cello); Noah Gaffney (saxophone); Alan Elliot (Clavinet). Recorded at Standard Electrical, Venice, California and Larchmont Studios, Hancock Park, California.
Album Reviews
Alternative Press (10/01, p.99) - 7 out of 10 - "...Combining ska's seemingly frivolous nature with punk's dead-serious activism....a refreshing and well-balanced spin..." CMJ (7/16/01, p.12) - "...Leaping through genres at every turn...PROGRESS is hook-laden and will leave you unconciously bobbing your head throughout..."
Titles on disc 1
1.
Intro
2.
VCG3
3.
Consequential Apathy
4.
Analog Boy
5.
Get
6.
All The Time
7.
In All Rwanda's Glory
8.
Babylon
9.
Who Would've Thought
10.
Status
11.
Anyone But You
12.
Nugget
13.
Progress
14.
Nothing Sacred
15.
Infection
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since
10/03/2005
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