Rival Schools - United by Fate - Island Records

Review by: Jennifer Perkins

CIV, Quicksand, Gorilla Biscuits, Youth of Today even someone with minimal knowledge of the independent music scene has heard of at least one if not all of these seminal groups. If any of these bands ever tickled your musical fancy, rush right out and pick up Rival Schools debut CD United by Fate. I smell a super group.

And to say Rival Schools is super is an understatement. Rival Schools and their much anticipated CD United by Fate is a stellar release full of intense and passionate rock music. In 1999 when Quicksand disbanded, much to the disappointment of fans everywhere, Island records retained the services of lead singer and all around New York musical guru Walter Schreifels and gave him time to regroup and rise again. His new incarnation is Rival Schools and to say he is back and stronger than ever, cliched as that may sound, is true.

The songs on the CD took over 2 years to compile, and while United by Fate has a very cohesive sound, each song is a stand out individually. Personnel favorites include “Everything has its Point”. The song has math rock undertones in song structure reminiscent of Cursive, but at the same time is melodic and fluid. “High Acetate” with its repetitive chorus is a more forthright pop song and is destined to be played across the airwaves of college campus’ everywhere this fall semester. The combination of cathartic release in vocal delivery and instrumentation indicative of years spent in various hardcore bands makes for a very enjoyable not to mention interesting listen.

The biggest compliment I could give to Rival Schools is that someone blindly listening to this CD with an Indie Rock Tabula Rasa would be blown away and converted as a fan. Sure, there are the folks that have been waiting with baited breath for the last half of a decade for this record, but any Joe on the street that picks up United by Fate is going to be waiting just as anxiously for a follow up.

See pictures of Rival Schools here.