Rise

Rubyhorse are an Irish band who have relocated to the States and were named after a Wonderstuff song. Actually, even if you didn’t know this one listen to Rise would probably lead you to make an educated guess on these very facts, except maybe the Wonderstuff bit. It isn’t the worst album in the world by any means, yet Rise does end up coming across as a hotch potch collection of familiar sounds, leading the listener to play spot the influence as opposed to developing any real understanding of the band themselves.

There’s an all too recognisable American Celtic rock strain at work, the kind of big hearted rock music so beloved in the ’80s and ’90s but starting to sound more than a little creaky now. You sense that Rubyhorse themselves are all too aware of this, opting to tinker with samples and beats which, instead of giving them a more cutting edge sound only succeed in making them seem more out of date than ever.

In truth, the band don’t need to dabble with technology for they’re at their best when they play it straight. Rise is blessed with a handful of catchy, energetic rock tunes that are more than capable of holding their own with the Bon Jovis and Nickelbacks of this world – especially the opening double of ‘Happy In The Sunshine’ and ‘Sparkle’ which betray the vast, expansive influences of their adopted homeland and brim with confidence. ‘Any Day Now’ too proves they can handle ballads with ease. Too often, however, they let themselves down by venturing into uninspired cliché – both musically and lyrically – and end up as nothing particularly special. It’s not hard to see why this has played so well in the States, but at a time when we are witnessing more and more Irish bands developing a unique style and sound all of their own.

It’s not quite so clear where Rubyhorse will fit in at home. A less than glorious homecoming.