Riding Shotgun

"Out of the gate, it sounds like RIDING SHOTGUN are off to a good start and should quickly become a band to watch." -Shred local music director - WBCN Boston 104.1 fm

Starting with the opening two tracks, this CD draws you in. There is something compelling about how the short Nightfalls sets up the groove provided by Anticipation, which builds itself slowly into creshendo with subtle textures. The flow of the music leads you into track #3, "As far as I can see," which continues to build on the musical themes setup by the opening two tracks. By the time you get to "A Comfortable Silence" you will be sucked in by the music. That is no lie. You could describe this as a spin off of a Pink Floyd type song, but that is only because the guitar playing so closely remembles a David Gilmour song. That is pretty high praise for a debut album, but it is merited. For the sake of brevity, I will just say that if you like Pink Floyd, Portishead, jazz, or any/all of the above, do youself a favor and pick up a copy of this record. It is, honestly, the best record/cd I have listened to in a good long time. Thanks Riding Shotgun for new music that rocks! - Jesterwords

This Providence-based instrumental trio falls into a no-classification classification like “ambient quasi-jazz fusion with elements of new age.” As such, they’ve certainly got a good thing going. Many of the songs seem more like genre sketches than not (e.g., the funky “Anticipation,” the ambient-techno “As Far As I Can See,” the pleasantly Fripp-like “Nightfalling,” the ingeniously portentous rock of “Ghosting,” the jazzy, reverberatory “One Last Time,” the ambitious, frantic-loud and fluid-soft dynamics of “Lost and Found.”) But they more than make up for their almost scattershot smorgasbord approach with the lush minimalism of the tuneful “A Comfortable Silence” and “Nightfallen,” as well as the contemplative but staggeringly gorgeous “While I Was Gone,” a piece that, at least here, puts them on a par with Birdsongs of the Mesozoic. This is one CD I will be going to again and again when I’m in the mood for something restrained but eclectic. - Francis DiMenno (The Noise)

Instrumental guitar music that borders on both minimalistist and progressive, Riding Shotgun possess a rare quality that captures the place where rock and art meet. Based in Boston and Rhode Island, the group break all the rules and that¹s just what makes their guitar driven trance so appealing. Essentially a power trio fueled by the cool rhythm section of drummer Chris Anton and Tom Stepsis (bass), the group¹s center piece is the multi-faceted guitar sound of Joseph DePasquale. Other influences like Adrian Belew in King Crimson, Weather Report (without the sax) and say, Tortoise, come shining through. With its myriad of musical complexity, the music on NIGHT Falls makes a great imaginary soundtrack. - Robert Silverstein (20th Century Guitar Magazine)

Instrumental bands are often overlooked, being considered as indulgent, and impersonal, leaving the listener often out of their musical equation. Riding Shotgun however are not this way. They have found out how to make music that is progressive, but not to the point that you feel like you are standing on the outside looking in.

This Boston based three-piece is a contemporary band with enough flavor to satisfy the pallet of a jazz enthusiast or an Indie rocker. Their 2005 release “NIGHTfalls” has been gaining them steady ground, infusing a unique blend of light-hearted instrumental jams and electronic pulsating rhythms.

Riding Shotgun began in 2002 and quickly evolved a love of music into a strong musical kinship. They are a self described Medeski, Martin, & Wood, meets Radiohead sounding band, but this reviewer feels there is more to it than that.

Their sound especially on songs such as a “Comfortable Silence” draws comparison to bands such as Broken Social Scene and Sea and Cake. Their unique blend of dreamy guitars and acoustic use on this song in particular makes it feel like Broken Social Scene’s breakthrough Feel Good Lost. It is a rare thing to be able to sit a hippy next to a hipster and have them enjoy the same kind of music, but Riding Shotgun seems to do be doing just this.

Another stand out track is the live version of “AsFarAsICanSee” which blends “Idioteque” style drum loops with ambient guitars. The verse kicks in with a dance oriented beat that is reminiscent of Brooklyn electro clash vintage 2002, with a sound like Radio 4 or The Rapture. The song is a nice departure from what one would expect after hearing “Comfortable Silence”. Their sound shows versatility and clever arrangements that are still able to sound fun, and not like a bunch of self-indulged Berkley students.
- Daniel Murphy (Northeast In-Tune Magazine)