Written
by Craig Bowles, posted by blog admin
Thnx
For The Ride, a seven song EP, marks Rhett Repko’s second impressive release in
2017 and bears all the signs it might propel Repko to a greater renown than he
has thus far experienced. It differs from his previous 2017 release, About Last
Night, thanks to a much more resolute focus on being a pure, outright rock
release incorporating the same singer/songwriter sensibility pervading his
earlier releases. Repko makes no bones about being a classicist in some
respects, but the most refreshing aspect of his songwriting and performances is
how he fuses that approach with a very modern production style and a
rambunctious sense of the possible. The title song embodies that. “Thnx for the
Ride” mixes things up without the song ever coming off as disjointed or patched
together – Repko and his band mates move from straight forward rock passages to
other sections that are near reggae or ska in their approach. The lyrics are a
bit unusual in the way they approach the time-tested subject matter of
relationships and that individual touch on the song separates it from the pack.
“Please
Don’t Laugh” keeps the bar set high for Thnx For The Ride with an equally
punchy, if a bit more normalized, rock track that plays around with tempo
shifts, but never to the same extent as we hear with the opener. The vocals are
emphasized here a little more than before and lead guitarist Stefan Heuer
excels with an impassioned guitar solo near the song’s end. Perhaps the most
compelling section of the song comes near its mid-way point when the musical
intensity fades a little and we’re treated to a slow, deliberate middle break
that enhances the overall performance. “It Ain’t Coming From You” will be the
EP’s peak for many listeners like it is for me and much of this has to do with
the overall excellence of the song. There’s a strong acoustic strand underlying
the song and wonderfully propulsive drumming from Tom Bryant, but the real
highlight of the song comes from Repko’s vocal and another particularly tasty
shift in tempo that comes near the track’s second half when the band slows
things down and conjures a tasteful, thoughtful instrumental break.
“Maybe
I’m Weak” elaborates on the previous song by expanding the dance between
electric and acoustic guitars. Certain parts of this song may strike some
listeners as choppy, but those passages are redeemed by yet one more intensely
emotive Repko vocal and the rock firepower he and the band brings to bear in
other portions of the tune. “And I Told Her So” has one of the EP’s best vocals
with lead guitarist Stefan Heuer contributing a lot with his backing vocals. He
rips loose with a biting solo, as well, during the song’s second half that
underlines the potent rock power of this number, Thnx For The Ride concludes
with the track “Make Me Right” and it’s a zesty closer for the EP that shows no
fall off in energy from the first song. Repko has reached a new pinnacle with
this release and Thnx For The Ride is chock full of great songs sure to be
featured in his live set.
