Album review- RIFFER/ PLAYGROUND

          

Written by Backstage Bruce
All photos courtesy Holly Johnson 
          
          The name of the band is 'RIFFER'. Their first album is entitled 'Playground'. The quartet are known to pack the house, during their monthly residency, at Parkside Lounge on Houston Street. Standing room only when they perform. 

Rich, Brian, Mark & Diane. 

  Riffer is Rich Rickaby on rhythm guitar, Brian Casscles on percussion, Marky Keys on the keys, & Diane Rizzo on lead guitar. They are happy to make your acquaintance. 

Diane on lead with her Fender

            They've been gigging around NYC for the last few years, and like with all bands, a few different members rotated throughout time. Now with the line-up solidified, it was their turn to make an album. The band boarded the train and headed down the shore to Asbury Park, N.J. where they set up to record at the world-renown Lakehouse Recording Studio.

Inside the Lakehouse Recording Studio, Asbury Park 

              The Lakehouse has two world-class recording studios and almost any piece of musical equipment imaginable from vintage to the most modern, including two-grand pianos. Their list of clients is impressive.  

Marky Keys

            Magic was made in the studio that day. The dream, to record and release your first album, has come true. With everything it takes to get to this point, it really is a huge accomplishment. They released the album 'Playground' the third week of March 2020, the same exact week the quarantine was put into place. Everything was immediately put on hold, including the album release party. 

Brian 

          Instantly, upon the release of  'Playground', DJ Michael Roark, from the amazing radio station WXNA, 101.5 FM, smack dab in the middle of the songwriting capital of the world, Nashville, gave it a listen and picked one song to play on his weekly show! 

        That was the first airplay the new album received. A week later he "spun" a different tune, so now two numbers have been heard on the airwaves. If you ever want to hear a great radio show, tune into the 'SLINGS & ARROWS' show on WNXA, 101.5 FM, Nashville, TN. with DJ Michael Roark every Tuesday from 12pm-2pm CST. WXNA- 'SLINGS & ARROWS' LINK You never know what he is going to play next. 
         

Rich on rhythm. 

        The 11-track album is 36-minutes long. It is a very fun, easy listen. Reach out to the band and ask to be put on the guestlist (for you and your guest) when they do have their big album release blowout party. Right now they are looking at Mercury Lounge. RIFFER's website from there you can connect to all the usual stuff: contact, bios, videos, stores, etc...You don't want to miss the party. 

          

        I enjoyed the entire album, every. single. song. There was not one lull throughout the entire disc. 'Playground' has something for everyone. There are a few classic rock and roll songs, plus some slow, country, rockabilly numbers, with an authentic electric bluesy twang. Also in the mix are a few danceable tunes.

        The range from the first note to the last takes you on an entire musical journey. You have to give it a listen to experience for yourself. Make sure to wear headphones because you will want to hear everything: every instrument, every word, every note, etc... 

          Three songs that jump right out- 

'Color In Crayon'

          Love it, reminds me of R.E.M. a little bit. I have seen them perform this song live and WOW!!! What a difference a professional recording studio and mixing with sound engineers can make! I am hearing instruments and lyrics I've never heard before. Shoutout Lakehouse!

          One line, the very last line is a heart stopper. "Color in your day, color in less gray." That is right. There it is. We all have that choice. Every single day, every single one of us starts the day off with a brand new page in the coloring book. It is nice and clean and doesn't have any smudges or marks on it yet. We grab our crayons when we wake up and start to color in our day. We have the power to color in less gray in our own lives. I love that line. 

          Another great one-

'Friday With You'  
          The first time I heard this, I thought it could have been done by The Cars. It is really peppy, bubbly and fun. Plus it's got a great beat you can dance to. Dick Clark would be proud.  
      
'Summer Of Another Love' 

Nothing I type here will do it justice, you have to hear this one for yourself.

Summer Of Another Love- Video
  
          I would give this album 5 out of 5-stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐      

Absolute perfection. Everybody will find a song or two that they can relate to or at the very least tap their feet to. Give it a listen. 

          ⭐An exclusive, the very first music video from the new album. The song is entitled 'Get Your Pants On', enjoy.
'GET YOUR PANTS ON'- Music Video 💗


Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2UcrOVf
AppleMusic/iTunes: https://apple.co/3acoBKW
Deezer: https://bit.ly/33Emg9h
iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/2UbewIL