Where do you go when you’re a heavy contender on the early indie/emo/hardcore scene that has spent years pummeling kids in sweaters and heavily patched up backpacks with your aggressive brand of rock? You throw in the towel or try to hide your rock roots and you let your freak flag fly by finally saying “Fuck it” and deciding to sound like AC/DC.
Unfortunately, the Rye Coalition already did this with their last record, On Top. So where do you go after that? Well, the next step to full-blown rockdom is to have Dave Grohl produce your record. Now you have achieved success in the land of AC/DC rock heroes.
You also achieve a really crummy drum sound. Does “Curses” rock like no other? You bet. Is it anything new for these Jersey boys? No, not really. Do we care? Probably not, as long as you can pump your fist to it while doing keg stands. I think that the Rye Coalition will be able to sleep at night.
– Chris Smith
Rye Coalition (Gern Blandsten)