Album review: Rival Waves to release latest record A Meaningless Chaos August 5
Rival Waves is set to release their eagerly anticipated new album, “A Meaningless Chaos,” on Saturday, August 5 at ACL’s 3Ten venue. The spectacular lineup is sure to make it the party to be at that evening. Openers are none other than Austin powerhouse acts The Dead Coats and Lola Tried. Fortunately, I had the privilege of getting my hands on the album a couple of weeks before its official release, allowing me to become so familiar with the songs that I can now recite some of the lyrics line by line. Fronted by the talented Joel De La Garza, Rival Waves pours their souls into each song, leaving an indelible mark on their music. A Meaningless Chaos features a talented lineup, including Erik Salinas (guitar), Marc Schulz (guitar), Dave McLeod (bass), and Paul Pinon (drums). The album was expertly produced and mixed by the well-known Austin record producer, Chris “Frenchie” Smith. With such an impressive team behind it, there is no doubt that A Meaningless Chaos will be well received and become a must-have addition to any music collection.
The album has quickly become a Cosmic Clash favorite of 2023, and it’s no surprise why. The Austin-based band has crafted a mesmerizing recording that is sure to expand their fan base. A Meaningless Chaos draws inspiration from the alternative sound of the early 90s, evoking a nostalgic and captivating vibe from start to finish. The track order has been thoughtfully curated, offering a unique blend of cherished memories from the past and new, enthralling experiences in the present.
The album kicks off with the title track, “Meaningless Chaos,” starting with simplistic strumming on guitar before the rest of the band comes crashing in. The lyrics convey a sense of longing for the past, with lines like “the sadness that you are hearing, the trembling in my voice, a fear of fearless persists as if I ever had a choice.” The song perfectly sets up the album’s attack protocol.
Seamlessly transitioning into “NAMI,” the song exudes a hopeful positivity with the lyrics “Find us a place beyond the gloam, we’re home again.” The dynamic of the track is fueled by heavy guitars, dropping into a moment of listless feeling, only to be resuscitated by a heroic guitar solo reminiscent of a hair-metal guitar shredding.
“100M” skillfully connects the dots, evoking a deep sense of disconnection. The poignant lyrics, “I left my head somewhere else and forgot just how to be myself, I’d rather be than 100 million light years away,” resonate with a feeling that is relatable on so many levels. The song’s ability to tap into this universal emotion makes it a powerful and meaningful addition to the album. Leading up to a personal favorite “Ultramanifesto”, the song cuts to the chase by deleting all the extravagant distractions in life. Simplistically finding the message in reality for living.” I don’t believe in superman, the pope, or presidents… I only believe in love”
As the album unfolds, “Monument” and the fast-paced “Desperate Days” come together to contribute to the overall message of A Meaningless Chaos, filling in the blanks to the over-arcing narrative for the listener. Amidst these tracks, “Invisible” emerges, slowing the pace and standing out from the rest of the album. Its lyrics instantly hook you in, compelling you to hit rewind over and over again, captivated by its allure. “Oh, no I’m in trouble… I’m invisible”
“Isla3” picks up the pace with its nostalgic 90s alternative sound, but it’s not until the even faster tempo of “Country of Ghost Towns” that the energy really kicks in, leading us into the final scenes of the album. Like many artists, hints of influences can be heard throughout, and “Smile Empty Soul” conjures up early Alice in Chains.
The eleven-track album closes with the beautifully crafted “Heartless”. Acoustic guitars are carefully embraced by its poetic lyrics, “Golden hue refracts in waves, broken, dimmed on the ocean floor”. The album aligns the opening and closing of the album in perfect symmetry, like matching bookends.
Although the album’s title A Meaningless Chaos, portrays a sense of self-awareness. Life might be chaotic, but once understanding that life is chaos it brings everything into order.
There is a musical and poetic depth to the album, plus the vinyl goes deeper into the void with three extra tracks, “What She Could Be”, “Iron Will”, and “The Greater Fool”. But we will leave you with the suspense and leave it up to you to complete the story.
Grab tickets to Rival Waves’ release party at 3TEN with The Dead Coats and Lola Tried this Saturday here.
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