Wow, these guys sure like notes. Lots of 'em. I mean, listen to those guitars! These guys just stay away from chords as much as possible, I think. Fortunately, they're all good enough to pull it off without making jokes of themselves. While other pop-punk bands are chugging along with their power chords, Rufio is busy dancing up and down their fretboards like tiny leprechauns on St. Patty's Day.
It's been 2 years since Rufio released MCMLXXXV. Now they return with The Comfort of Home, a pop-punk album similar in many way to their previous efforts. That is not to say that they are rehashing a tired sound, simply that they have a firm grasp on their sound and choose not to veer too far from it. Fans of Rufio will no doubt enjoy this album. One new addition to the band's sound is a series of short instrumental "segue" pieces acting as musical bridges between various tracks.
While the album is musically interesting, the arrangements are diverse and effective, and the members are heads above their pop-punk compatriots talent-wise, the thing that is most striking on the first listen through The Comfort of Home is its initial lack of energy. The songs aren't boring, but the energy of the record doesn't really get rolling until track 8. However, the last half of the album is really excellent and full of the energy that a band like this should have.
The highlight tracks of this record are "Drowning" and "My Escape," but the instrumental tracks are similarly excellent. The former are, of course, from the last half of the record where the band gels much more strongly than on the first half.
The lead vocals are good, and the harmonies add nice touches throughout the album, but generally the vocals are put too high in the mix. On the first few listens, the extent to which they are in the forefront can be a bit off-putting, but that feeling tends to dissipate after several listens.
Similarly, the energy issue of this record seems to disappear after several listens as well. Gradually, the first half of the record becomes more appealing. This may say something for the quality of the band's general sound: even their lesser songs are pretty enjoyable.
3/4
Similar sounding releases
2004New Found GloryCatalyst
2004Sum 41Chuck
2004Letter KillsThe Bridge
2002KnockoutSearching for Solid Ground
2005The Black MariaLead Us To Reason
2005A Change of PaceAn Offer You Can't Refuse
