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Middle Class Rut - Middle Class Rut EP Album Cover
Author's Rating
Vocals 7
Musicianship 7
Lyrics 7.25
Production 7.5
Creativity 6.5
Lasting Value 7
Reviewer Tilt 7.25
Final Verdict: 71%
Member Ratings   
Vocals 7.5
Musicianship 7
Lyrics 7
Production 8
Creativity 6.5
Lasting Value 7.75
Reviewer Tilt 8.5
Average: 75%
Inside AP.net

Middle Class Rut - Middle Class Rut EP

Reviewed by: Susan Frances (07/31/08)
Middle Class Rut - Middle Class Rut EP
Record Label: Unsigned
Release Date: May 27, 2008

Precedence shows that rock bands have been trios, quartets, quintets, and larger in the past, but there are very few power rock bands that have managed it as a duo. The Sacramento based team of singer/guitarist Zack Lopez and drummer/backup vocalist Sean Stockham have done just that as Middle Class Rut. These guys have the raging sonic typhoons of Dave Navarro’s The Panic Channel and the jagged hooks of Perry Farrell’s Porno for Pyros. The duo’s self-titled EP goes across the board stretching as far back as alternative rock’s charbroiled guitar burns and manacled vocals reminiscent of Alice in Chains, and moving ahead into modern punk-folk blends that take the punk format into fairly unexplored territory. Middle Class Rut give it their all in this EP, and have their pick-ups amped up so high that the tracks sound like they are stacked in guitars.

The supercharged delivery of “All Walks of Life” can break through sound barriers, and the whirling punk-rock shimmies in the chord phrasing of “Let It Go” are mosh-pit worthy. The sunken grooves of “Busy Bein’ Born” are attached by cornrows of rivets that move at ramming speeds, while the bobbing rhythms of “New Low” roll along at a walking pace as the vocals move to a funky beating pivot. The howling guitar effects in “Dead Set” have a garage-rock grilling, but shift into a dance-rock pulse with “25 Years” and a punk-folk blend with “So Long.” The track “I Don’t Really Know” retracts to fragmented movements and alternative-rock vibrations liken to Perry Farrell’s other band, Jane’s Addiction.

Middle Class Rut is noise rock with a melodic coating. It’s a tremendous feat that the duo can pull off a huge sound with just a guitar and drum kit. Written, recorded and produced by Middle Class Rut, their self-titled EP shows that Zack Lopez and Sean Stockham make a massive sound when you put them in a room together.

Recommended if you like:Jane’s Addiction, The Panic Channel, Porno for Pyros


www.myspace.com/middleclassrut
 
Displaying posts 1 - 11 of 11.
03:37 AM on 08/01/08
#2
Romancebled
Sleep underground tonight...
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i saw this band open up for The Receiving End Of Sirens a while back, and they were very solid.
08:15 AM on 08/01/08
#3
S9Dallasoz
Knows the words to 'Bye Bye Bye'
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Very good band that deserves way more buzz.

"New Low" gets stuck in my head all day.
09:29 AM on 08/01/08
#4
brianenvy
Registered Member
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Fuck yeaaaaah. Every time I play this EP for someone they freak out. Good job, homies.
10:23 AM on 08/01/08
#5
aspartame
so more to life
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Really glad this got reviewed. Needs and deserves more attention than it'll ever get imo
10:30 AM on 08/01/08
#6
theripped0ne
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get into this band now

and how did i hear about it??? from brian above. good looks kid.
11:22 AM on 08/01/08
#7
RadDness
4 8 15 16 23 42
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this band is amazing! i always found it odd more people don't know about them.
11:51 AM on 08/01/08
#8
brokenwings
Tear the scene down, start over.
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i have their first ep and a few other songs, but i still have to pick this up. great band that deserves lots of success! oh, and they're really nice guys, too
12:52 AM on 10/09/08
#9
Melkor
You and I are going to Live Forever
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The first time I heard 'Busy Bein' Born' I immediately thought of Jane's Addiction and Alice In Chains - so I completely agree there.

Also couldn't believe there was only two of them, make a hell of a racket! Really like them though, very promising.
03:35 PM on 11/13/10
awwgereee
Get your head out of the oven
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Just heard this today. I was surprised I'd never heard of them before..
11:03 AM on 04/15/11
InfiniteArms
Ho Ho Ho! Merry Crimson!
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New Low is a great song. You wanna say its annoying but you can't because its so damn catchy!
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