The Riot
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The Riot

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Music

The best kept secret in music

Press


"Carry Us To The Sea- The Riot ****4.5 stars out of 5"

"The sounding of a gong opens The Riot's "Carry Us to the Sea." It is simple, open and empty.

But from those tones straight to the album's final note, it's a helter-skelter ride.

Within the introductory piece alone, synthesized orchestration reminiscent of a movie soundtrack both religious and supremely frightening sets a tone. Chants join in, spooky and distant. Drums crash. Thin female voices add a top layer as the lower pitches drop and a single deep vibration carries the song to its finish.

Parts of "Carry Us to the Sea" -- the Anchorage band's first full-length album -- go haywire, buzz this way and that, bounce between speakers with no recognizable melody. Through it all, vocalist Laila O'Sullivan belts full of feeling, hits high notes and keeps up in volume and power with the smashing drums and guitar behind her. She exhibits technical prowess, warbling and stretching, floating into an ethereal vibrato-shaken upper range reminiscent of Fiona Apple.

The Riot's kaleidoscopic sound weaves into the surrealism and metaphor of O'Sullivan's smart lyrics. She intones on "Toast," one of the band's jazzier numbers: "Influenza bicycle races, / Paradigms and charades,/ Decaffeinated heartfelt sentences/ Drip from your tongue and/ Down your chin." On "This Ship," a beast of a song and a study in contrasts, she chants, "Soon we'll find out what we're here for," then yells it, and finally cuts off mid-sentence, giving way to a keyboard's lullaby, halfway between scary and sad.

In the best possible sense, this album has no standout musician or any standout tracks. Every song is fresh and creative, and all four members -- O'Sullivan, keyboardist John Swanson, drummer Evan Larrecou and guitarist Kenny Moss -- are tight and skilled and exploding with energy."

-- Lillie Dremeaux

Anchorage Daily News - Anchorage Daily News


Discography

Full Length LP: Carry Us to the Sea

Singles in rotation:

1. In a Place Where Something Begins (KWHL 106.5 on Local Show "The Pipeline") Anchorage, AK

2. Toast (College Radio KRUA 88.1) Anchorage, AK

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

"This is the coffee table counter culture!", yells Laila O'Sullivan. Kids pack into the small Anchorage Alaska venue, sweating, hearts beating and screaming every word with her. Even though this band may be thousands of miles away from any big city scene, they give it their all, every single show.

The Riot is a confluence of sound, neatly packaged into four individuals each as unique as The Riot itself. A classically trained piano player who has a soft spot for electronica is the blood and guts of the riot, providing melody and soundscapes with his right hand, and serving as the bass player with his left hand, generating a full and rich sound that this four-piece is known for. A guitarist who's time is split between the riot, the university jazz band, and a post-hardcore outfit accompanies John well. Serving primarily as the rhythm player, he adds flare with improvised guitar solos and an array of effects. Behind the set is the brawn of the band. The drummer comes from an adolescence worshiping Travis Barker and spending countless hours a day perfecting his art. Finally, The singer is placed on top of this ordered chaos to deliver full bodied vocals that give The Riot its character and voice.

Coupled with impressive and unique songwriting, the riot puts on one of the most energetic and entertaining live shows in the Anchorage scene. Opening for such acts as Shiny Toy Guns, 36 Crazyfists, and Portugal. The Man has given this outfit the opportunity to perform with, and keep up with, some of the best names to grace Alaska. They take the stage this year as the main headlining band at the Alaska State Fair local show. No show is the same for this band. Riot fans have seen performances with such antics as glow sticks, light shows, and on occasion, a lack of clothing (most clothing). The Riot's music has captivated Alaska, and is ready to test their musical prowess on new territory.