RIVAL SCHOOLS Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Following on from the reissue of Rival Schools' first record, Run For Cover turns its attention to the band's landmark 2011 studio LP, which took two years to be released after the original recording sessions finished and a staggering ten years after the inaugural long player, United By Fate, had landed. Rooted in emo, pop rock, and post-hardcore, the main difference between episodes one and two was the comparatively lighter moods on the second, and an absence of distortion. In many ways, a more commercially-minded outing, at the time critics lauded Pedals for its comparative maturity, with many trumpeting the return as being slicker, more self-assured and altogether more grown up. Nevertheless, the tracks still tear from the blocks with the energy of youth and there's no denying these songs are the result of musicians with a real ear for writing infectious hooks.

Review: Rival Schools' Found is a compelling collection of rarities, demos and alternate takes, compiled during the years following the release of their 2001 debut, United By Fate. Initially released over a decade ago, the band has collaborated with Run For Cover Records to reissue this collection on limited-edition vinyl, timed alongside the reissue of their 2011 album Pedals. This version of Found is particularly special, with a rare yellow vinyl edition limited to just 200 copies. Found offers eleven tracks that showcase the band's musical experimentation and evolution during the decade between their debut and Pedals. Led by Walter Schreifels, a pivotal figure in the hardcore scene through his work with Youth of Today, Gorilla Biscuits, and Quicksand, Rival Schools also features members Ian Love, Cache Tolman, and Sammy Siegler, whose other projects include Iceburn, CIV, and Glassjaw. Found seamlessly fits into Rival Schools' discography, bridging the post-hardcore sound of their debut with hints of the more melodic direction they would later explore. Tracks like 'Reaching Out' and 'Paranoid Detectives' still pulse with the intensity and urgency reminiscent of Schreifels' earlier days, while songs like 'Tell It All To Me' reveal a growing emotional depth within the band's sound. Found remains a significant piece of Rival Schools' unique trajectory, capturing a moment in time that fans will find both nostalgic and rewarding.