Skepticism is often the response when a college band promotes their music, but that shouldn’t be the case with The Ripples. The Georgetown band just released their eponymous second album, and the band members’ artistry combine to create plenty of catchy tunes and soothing melodies.
Tyler Pierce (COL ‘15) and Zach Fore are technically astounding on guitar, while Will Heuser (COL ‘15) and Ben Suarez (COL ‘14) keep the music grounded on keys and bass, respectively. Anthony Albanese (COL ‘16) is the most impressive of all, assembling drum beats that consistently impress.
The Ripples are influenced by 1960s pop, and this inspiration is clearly audible on the album. Different tracks have elements of swing, blues, and even reggae, often times combining more than one. “The Jive” starts off with a 12-bar blues form but adopts more of a reggae vibe later in the song, while “Growin’ Mold” combines a swing beat with Beatles-esque classic rock.
Pierce, Heuser, and Fore all provide phenomenal vocals. Their high pitched voices mesh well with the upbeat mood of the album. The vocals on “Going Faster (It’s A New Day)” particularly stand out and are nothing short of beautiful.
The numerous, vibrato-filled guitar solos the album are especially reminiscent of 60s classic rock and range from the more traditional in “If I Gotta Go” to the more experimental in “Regarding The Times When I Can’t Help But Think Of You.” The band also brings in various additional instruments that, whether in solos or in the background, bring a new dimension of flair and nuance to the album.
But while the album contains endless impressive musicality, it equally lacks a sense of creativity. Much of the album is merely an amalgamation of the familiar. That isn’t to say that The Ripples are entirely unoriginal in their compositions, but that the group would benefit from using the genres that influence them in new, more innovative ways.
Even with this flaw, The Ripples remains an album full of generally outstanding music. It shows the best of what Georgetown students have to offer and certainly makes a big splash.
Voice’s Choices: “Hung On,” “Growin’ Mold”
