Revive The Rose
Heartless Place
Snareguy Records
Welland, ONβs very own Revive The Rose has been absolutely killing it. From booking shows in support of The Trews to launching their own beer, Bar Down Lager, it only makes sense that the hard rock band follow up a string of 2021 singles with a brand-new EP. Heartless Place is the latest from the band and is their first collection of new music since their 2019 self-titled, full-length album.
Opening with the jangly riff of βNeed You Nowβ, Revive The Rose is back with a refined sound. More melodic but just as hard-hitting, with its halftime verse shifting into an up-tempo chorus, βNeed You Nowβ is a strong opener that raises the bar for the rest of Heartless Place. Between Andy Colonicoβs throaty, Grohl-inspired vocals to the guitar solo at the end of the track, βNeed You Nowβ is a song that only builds in excitement. The album picks up with the pop-rock influenced βWorldβs Smallest Violinβ. Driven by the reoccurring and catchy backing vocals, this song β the only not to be previously released as a single β has a distinct early 2000βs rock vibe to it. The first half of Heartless Place culminates with the title track, an anthemic and riff-heavy song that kicks ass. βHeartless Placeβ especially shines for its unique, instrumental bridge and slide guitar solo, a pair of back-to-back moments that are definite highlights.
Heartless Place continues with βDonβt Think Twiceβ, a primarily acoustic pop-rock ballad that further links Revive The Rose with the modern rock genre popular today. The subtleties on the track β from the electric guitar in the background to the lush use of backing vocals β make βDonβt Think Twiceβ standout tonally from the rest of Revive The Roseβs work. βTwo Feetβ, on the other hand, is a lively and rhythmic alternative rock tune that, without a doubt, is both the strongest and most unique track on Heartless Place. The rhythmic pulse, driven by the acoustic guitar and use of layered electric guitars, effects, and vocals, makes for a truly exciting listening experience. Heartless Place concludes with βLive My Best Lifeβ, featuring Amy Gabba. The song hits the hardest on the record and stands out for its ska influences β especially in the verse. The inclusion of Gabba breathes extra life into the song, making her verse a strong point on the song.
All in all, Revive The Rose continues to prove their worth as one of Ontarioβs strongest and most reliable up and coming rock bands on their latest release. Heartless Place marks a step forward in songwriting and delivery, and should leave fans excited to see where the band will go next.
ArtistΒ Links
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: REVIVE THE ROSE – HEARTLESS PLACE
Gerrod Harris