Written
by Wendy Owens, posted by blog admin
Rhett
Repko’s new seven song EP Thnx For The Ride capped an active 2017 for this
impressive musician, writer, and performer. His previous EP release About Last
Night occupies a much clearer singer/songwriter niche than the new release, but
he sustains the same level of excellence that’s defined his work from the
outset with this new release while taking his music in a distinctly different than
before. Thnx For The Ride is an outright rock and roll album – there’s some
acoustic guitar present with the release, but there’s no question that electric
guitar dominates these songs and Repko proves to be credible in that mold. He
has an outstanding band accompanying him on this seven track journey. Lead
guitarist Stefan Heuer, bassist Dan Gallagher, and drummer Tom Bryant is a
crack musical unit who are never flashy without cause and give Repko’s
songwriting the added spark it deserves.
The
EP opener and title song “Thnx for the Ride” announces the collection’s
intentions. Repko clearly wanted a gripping, immediate sound and this tune
doesn’t disappoint as “Thx for the Ride” features shake you by the lapels rock
thunder along with some deft shifts in time signature and tempo the band
flawlessly pull off. “Please Don’t Laugh” is a little closer to straight
forward rock than the opener, but there’s the same high degree of musicianship
pushing things forward that distinguishes the title number. Repko’s vocal here
stands out as one of the best on the EP and he mixes emotive phrasing with high
energy in a way ideally suited for these songs.
A
songwriting high point arrives with the track “It Ain’t Coming From You”, and
Repko fans the caustic flame of heartache burning inside this song with an
impassioned singing performance. Guitarist Stefan Heuer contributes some
important harmony vocals throughout Thnx For The Ride, never vying with Repko
for supremacy in the mix, but rather strengthening his already fine delivery.
The song is musically compelling, as well, particularly during its surprising
second half. “And I Told Her So” is probably Stefan Heuer’s finest moment as a
guitar player on this EP and his lead work late in the song immeasurably adds
to its final impact. The lyrics are exceptional, once again, without ever
overreaching and Repko’s vocal ranks with the earlier “Please Don’t Laugh” as
one of his best moments on Thnx For The Ride.
The
brisk pacing of “Learn Your Name” allows for a number of stuttering tempo
changes, yet the song never goes astray and has genuine commercial appeal to go
along with its unimpeachable rock spirit. The finale “Make Me Right” is a fiery
curtain for the EP and serves as a musical exclamation point for everything
that’s preceded it. Rhett Repko’s written and recorded quite an explosive
little rock release with Thnx For The Ride and it’s intriguing to wonder where
his Muse might lead him from here.
Thank you so much Wendy for such an incredible and extensive review. Everything you say is 100% on point and you really nail what we're going after musically.
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