Review | River City Extension - Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Your Anger
River City Extension – Welcome To Pittsburgh
Today, New Jersey’s River City Extension releases their second album, Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Your Anger, a followup their fantastic record The Unmistakable Man. Leading up to this point, the band has released two of the tracks from the record, “There and Back Again,” and “Welcome to Pittsburgh,” two songs that are the prototype of sounds that come from this band. The former being a coalescence of folk sensibilities and the blast of punk energy that the band can display which seems to represent the bands earlier sound while the latter being a more streamlined sound and arrangements that seem to have been battle tested over the last year or two during touring. It’s a tighter sound, and one that seems to fit the band at well. It may be a slight departure for fans, but rest assured, its a great sound for this band, and shows the band maturing quite a bit, with the help of Michelini’s songwriting which also seems to be upgrading itself.
Surprisingly, what I love about this album is the slower, more introspective songs, Michelini stated “For the most part, these songs represent a dark period in my life when I really didn’t like myself,” he explains. “I was still young and still learning, and a lot of people were probably hurt by the person I was at the time. Half of this record is love songs, and half is ‘I’m sorry that I fucked up’ songs — I look at them as a stepping stone, a way to put some distance between myself and that part of my life, and to remind myself that I’ve chosen to do better.” It’s in these songs where the heavy lifting of the album is done, these are the songs I think you will truly love on this record. Songs like, “The Fall and the Need to be Free,” or “Standing Outside a Southern Riot,” shows a remorseful songwriter who’s found a little redemption in song.
That’s not to say that this record is all downtempo crooning folk music, they’ve still got the punch that the Unmistakable Man had, “The Ballad of Oregon,” will pump the blood with pounding drums, soaring vocals and a great melody; or “Down Down Down,” a piano rock ballad that picks up the pace and sounds like it may be a barn burner when played live.
River City Extension has built a new record with poignant songs of remorse, love and redemption. It’s a wonderfully crafted record that tugs at the heart, cranks the volume at points, and brings to light a budding songsmith in Michelini. It’s a special album and one that will most certainly grow on you and is perfect for pre-existing fans, and new fans alike. It’s definitely a more mature, album that shows a band growing into their own.
Buy Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Your Anger
Tour info:
Jun 05 The Social Orlando, FL
Jun 06 Masquerade Atlanta, GA
Jun 08 The Prophet Bar Dallas, TX
Jun 09 Stubb’s BBQ Austin, TX
Jun 10 Korova San Antonio, TX
Jun 12 Club Congress Tucson, AZ
Jun 13 Casbah San Diego, CA
Jun 14 The Rhythm Room Phoenix, AZ
Jun 15 The Satellite Los Angeles, CA
Jun 16 Bottom of the Hill San Francisco, CA
Jun 17 Blank Club San Jose, CA
Jun 19 Backspace Portland, OR
Jun 20 Barboza Seattle, WA
Jun 22 Kilby Court Salt Lake City, UT
Jun 23 Marquis Theater Denver, CO
Jun 24 Jackpot Music Hall Lawrence, KS
Jun 26 7th Street Entry Minneapolis, MN
Jun 27 Schubas Tavern Chicago, IL
Jun 28 The Intersection Grand Rapids, MI
Jun 29 Pike Room @ The Crofoot Pontiac, MI
Jun 30 Musica Akron, OH
Jul 02 The Altar Bar Pittsburgh, PA
Jul 19 TT the Bear’s Cambridge, MA
Jul 20 Union Transfer Philadelphia, PA
Jul 21 Bowery Ballroom New York, NY
