SUNDAY DROP - SPIN # 130 FROM THE R'NR WITH RYLO RECORD COLLECTION
I didn't think that I was going to find the time to write this week's spin at one point but I had some inspiration surrounding me in the form of my wife and kids. My son made me a Gold medal on his last day of school before breaking for school holidays and handed it to me on Saturday morning. He has been a bit unsure about me since my operation and showing that he cares a lot in different ways. One lovely way was he kept handing me toys to play with from his room. Both of our kids have big hearts and can see them growing up in a job at some stage, where they care for people.
I woke up early after a rough sleep and was feeling the need to sit upright on one of the chairs in our front room library area. He came up to me and gently gave me a hug before handing me the medal. He was worried about me without completely understanding what had happened. I put on the medal and his smile lit up the whole room. He was proud to be helping his Dad. On Friday I had a procedure and should be recovered quick enough to continue on in no time. It's more discomfort than anything and I feel crappy for not being able to help out at home too much right now. I need to slow down, as not to stretch or delay the healing process and only lift light things. It brings back bad memories for me, of the years where I had an injured back. It was frustrating and took a long time to recover. I don't like feeling useless. Night Kat Kiz has picked up the extra workload without fuss and I'm very thankful for all of their kindness and love. Our daughter was dancing with her dolly and asked me to dance. I told her that I wasn't able to right now and she said, "oh, yes. Daddy sick".
I managed to get comfortable enough to read some of my book this morning and make the most of my limited comfort and mobility. There was just enough sunshine coming through the window and a nice cup of coffee helped. If you know what I'm talking about, then you know. A couple of you guessed our song for the 'Let's Get Lyrical' on Friday night and I'm happy that so many of you got involved. Did I make it too easy? Or just the right amount of hardness? Please let me know on our socials.
For our 130th Sunday Spin at R'nR with Rylo, we will be placing the LP, 'Darkfighter' by Rival Sons on our turntable this week. No better feeling than when you drop the stylus on a record you are excited to hear. I've already heard this one multiple times and I'm pretty sure I've shown our son one day after school. We break up the homework routine with shelling peanuts and listening to records. I like these moments because he starts telling me more and more about what he likes and dislikes at school. It's hard enough to get little kids focus, but particularly harder after a long day of school. It will be a first listen for Night Kat Kiz and our 3 year old daughter, who is looking more and more like her Mummy each day. She was dressing up like Ana from Frozen this week and loves being a little princess with her dollies. She also holds her own against her brother when they play cars and both HAVE to hold the same car.
Rival Sons is a band right now that can put out an album and I know I will enjoy it, because of their style. They could even put out an acoustic album with some slight, "ooooo" and "woooahhs" and I know it would still be worthy of a listen. The blues-infused rock melodies intertwined with soulful lyrics create a unique and captivating listening experience that leaves a lasting impression.
The band consists of Jay Buchanan on vocals, Scott Holiday on Lead guitar, Dave Beste on Bass guitar and Mike Miley on drums. When they tour they add Jesse Nason on keyboards. I think they all bring something to the band, however it wouldn't sound the same without Buchanan on vocals. He is the modern embodiment of Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin, but distinctly original at the same time. One thing that made me respect Led Zeppelin more this week (off topic but worth mentioning here), was when John Bonham passed away, they decided to disband rather than replace him. Led Zeppelin were huge but they didn't want to continue that band without their mate.
Rival Sons distinctive sound and musical prowess shine through in every note, showcasing their incredible musicianship and artistry. I was first captivated by them at a live performance, when they opened for Black Sabbath (as I've mentioned previously in our 'Hollow Bones' Sunday Spin). From the haunting vocals on 'MIRRORS' and 'RAPTURE' to the intricate guitar riffs and dynamic rhythms on 'NOBODY WANTS TO DIE', 'Darkfighter' is a testament to the band's creativity and passion for their craft. It's an album that demands to be played loud and on repeat. Each spin revealing new layers of depth and meaning that resonate long after the music fades. The only thing I wish that I could replace about this release is the clear LP. I wasn't able to complain though, as this album arrived for free from a store in South Australia. On the label you will notice a 'Phénakisticope'. If you look closely on the label as the LP spins, you will notice a small animation occurring of tigers running along as the music plays on. I'm trying to think if we have any other records in our collection where this has been used....I don't think so.
The only reason I don't prefer white or clear pressings is the fact that they have been the worst sounding presses in our collection usually. Luckily in this case, 'Darkfighter' doesn't succumb to those issues and the pressing from Italy is superb. This album is a companion peace for another album released shortly after called 'Lightbringer' and is also well worth checking out. Have you had issues with a particular pressing or colour in your collection? For a long time I was only purchasing black vinyl, in order to limit any pressing issues that I'd found in coloured presses. Sometimes when they put all of the pellets together and squish them down, they can cause small separation as opposed to a single colour pellet. There are quite a few bands that don't release albums in standard black wax and I've had to take the chance quite a few times on the variants. We have let the kids play and mess up their rooms with toys this weekend and will probably give them a nice movie night as a family tonight. They have been asking about Harry Potter since watching the first movie but I think the second movie might give them nightmares, especially for our littlest Rylo. Does anyone remember the Chamber of Secrets and that giant Basilisk?
I hope that Rival Sons get to come back and tour Australia again, preferably at a festival or lineup supporting UK band, The Darkness. Favourite tracks on this album are hard to distinguish but 'BIRD IN THE HAND' always gets me up and about - well not right now because I'm hampered to rest.
***Feels the Glare from Night Kat Kiz to rest and decides not to get up and jam ***
All that I will say is, if you enjoy your music from the '70s and in particular the rock 'n roll genre, then you'll be as hooked with this album as I was. Condolences to the Swans fans out there after yesterday's Grand Final, not a good way to finish such a good season but I think they'll bounce back quickly and win a flag again soon enough. What a Grand Final next year would be if it was Bloods Culture V Hokball! If anyone knows Rival Sons and has somehow found their way to read our time capsule blog, please let them know they are a clear favourite here at R'nR with Rylo and I would suggest that everyone adds a few of their records to their own collections. I know money is tight and life can be shit for a lot of people right now. Sometimes a friend, a hug, a song or a conversation can be the start of what you need to find your light. Do as this album suggests and keep Fighting against the Darkness! Love your hugged ones ;) and take care.
Until our next Spin.....
My Gold medal from our little boy
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