Rival Schools (and Walter Schreifels)

[lozza23_uk]

Far stuff....

I am a big Far fan, have been for many years!. I used to cover this one in a band a few years ago.

edit: And when this was released I was quite excited for the new album. It has grown on me but to start with I wasn't 100% sold on it. Sounds good on Vinyl though.

 

[IceBus]

Yeah I'm still not 100% with the new Far album yet, but it's growing on me every time I listen to it. That video isgreat - for some reason I never thought to look up live performances from Far!

On a Rival Schools note, I finally managed to get hold of their unreleased 2nd album, an funnily enough there's a song on it called 'See What You Got' which is basically an early version of 'Shot After Shot'. It'll be interesting to see if any of the other songs from it appear on 'Pedals'. Anyone else heard the unreleased second album?

 

[Big Chris]

In a word, yes.

Will check these out when I get home, cheers.

Anyone else heard the unreleased second album?

Didn't know there was one, what's it called?

 

[IceBus]

Will check these out when I get home, cheers.

Didn't know there was one, what's it called?

'Unreleased' or 'Lost Album' Tracklist is:

1. Just a Second
2. The Perspective Reach
3. I Don't Know
4. Your Answer
5. See What You Got
6. Risking Everything
7. Don't Change
8. Shared Information
9. Surrendering Positions
10. Can't Touch It
11. Get Out of This Place

 

[Big Chris]

Will check these out when I get home, cheers.

Not convinced by any means I'm afraid, nothing to get my teeth into there. Liking the new Far stuff though, can't they swap with Trail of Dead...?

 

[russ0r]

Tickets arrived today, this is actually billed as Trail of Dead, so I guess Rival Schools are supporting?

Can't say I've ever heard Trail of Dead before, are they any good?

I thought that at first, but everywhere I've read just says it's a double headliner. Nowhere says 'Trail of Dead with support from Rival Schools'. (edit: eg. http://www.rocklouder.co.uk/news/article/rival-schools-and-...trail-of-dead-announce-joint-uk-tour)
Trail of Dead are alright I guess, but they don't really do anything for me. They're bigger over here than Rival Schools which might be why the gigs are billed as theirs.

Still haven't had a chance to listen to the 'lost' album start to finish, little heads up though, 'See What You Got' sounds very familiar

 

[IceBus]

Still haven't had a chance to listen to the 'lost' album start to finish, little heads up though, 'See What You Got' sounds very familiar

Hahaha yeah I said that above It's interesting hearing it in it's raw early state. Not sure which version I prefer. I like the new chorus, but the breakdown in 'See What You Got' is a bit gutsier and rawer.

 

[IceBus]

Second song now available to listen to here: http://www.spinnermusic.co.uk/2011/02/22/rival-schools-wring-it-out-pedals/

Really like it and still really looking forward to the album, which iTunes says is out March 7th.

 

[IceBus]

And the video for 'Wring It Out' is now up: http://www.frontarmy.com/news/front-uk-exclusive-new-rival-schools-video/

 

[Big Chris]

I'm not so fussed about the new track, heard it yesterday and played it a few times since.

Seems a bit mundane compared to the first one they previewed.

Still looking forward to the live show though.

 

[IceBus]

There's another live track up which I really like, a lot more boundary pushing called 'Choose Your Adventure' - http://www.spinner.com/interface/rival-schools-choose-your-adventure-sxsw-2010-interface

 

[russ0r]

I'm not so fussed about the new track, heard it yesterday and played it a few times since.

Seems a bit mundane compared to the first one they previewed.

Still looking forward to the live show though.

Yeah, I can take it or leave it tbh.

Choose Your Adventure is pretty good though

 

[IceBus]

You can now listen to the whole album online: http://www.spinner.com/new-releases#/2

I really like it - very eclectic mix of styles and feels. So far apart from the singles I love Choose Your Adventure, Small Doses, Eyes Wide Open and Racing To Red Lights.

I'll be really interested to hear what other folks think!

Also, more live stuff here: http://lastfmdiscover.radio.com/

 

[IceBus]

This is released tomorrow... Argh someone else needs to listen to the stream, I really want to know what other Walter fans think!

 

[russ0r]

I'll give it a listen.
Anyone got it on pre-order from the website?

 

[Big Chris]

We have a problem... with the exception of Shot After Shot, Pedals is a very, very boring album

 

[IceBus]

You don't like it? I really like 'Eyes Wide Open', 'Small Doses' and 'Choose Your Adventure'

 

[Big Chris]

I need to give it a few more listens but so far it strikes me as being very average, straightforward paint-by-numbers rock music. Nothing whatsoever to get your teeth into.

I guess I was hoping that he'd revisit his roots and produce another Manic Compression.

 

[russ0r]

I am on the whole unimpressed There's maybe 2-3 decent songs but the rest is really bland.
Such a shame. I too was hoping for a return to something a bit more Quicksand-esque.
I'm seeing them in Manchester in a fortnight, hopefully they'll play more old stuff! If not, there's always Trail of Dead...

 

[russ0r]

Saw Rival Schools in Manchester on Saturday, co-headlining with Trail of Dead.
They were awesome. I wasn't really looking forward to it after hearing the new album, but they only played the good stuff from it (69 Guns, Shot after Shot, etc.). Everything else was from United by Fate, as well as a (mocking) rendition of Bon Jovi's Dead or Alive.
Even shook hands with Walter after the gig, nice chap

Anyone else seen/seeing them?