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| Rx BanditsThe Resignation2003 Drive-Thru 
 Review by: Asheron Sabo See others by this writer RX Bandits (link) Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on July 15th 2003
The Resignation by the RX Bandits has been on my look-out list since the summer began. Others included Shai Hulud, Posion the Well, Fairweather, Brand New, 311 and Thrice. The first four have been released and I have enjoyed them all very much. 311 and Thrice are set to be released on the 25th of July, which should be a great day musically. Until then, The RX Bandits filled my void of new music. I have been a fan since right before Progress and The Resignation is not as a hard hitting as that album. This album seems to be half great and half disposable tunes. The RX Bandits have been around for about seven years and are by far the only talented band on their label. While the owners look to continue finding cloned bands, the Bandits forge on with their eclectic sound. However this album is not as big a leap as Progress (their sophomore album) from their debut (Halfway Between Here and There). First off, the art of the album is top notch. I enjoy it when bands create quality artwork to represent their music. It is crucial to getting a feel of the group. Along with Shai Hulud’s Within Ill Tempered Blood and Posion The Well’s You Come Before You, The Resignation stands out and elicits a reaction from the viewer (the wonderful work is done by Aaron Nagel at www.aaronnagel.com). Packaging on the other hand creates problems. Since there are two CD’s (the music CD and the DVD), the designers had left out a place to store the lyric booklet. I don’t know how many of you are like me, but I will lose this thing within a week. This isn’t a bad thing, though, since the lyrics are scrunched together and painstakingly small. There goes more of my eyesight. Okay, but is the music any good, I hear you groaning. The simple answer is “Yes it is good … but is nothing revolutionary.” The stand out tracks of the disc are Sell You Beautiful, Newstand Rock (exposition) , Overcome (the recapitulation) and Mastering the List. Sell You Beautiful is what many may have been hearing as a sample from this album. Some people have been bashing it because it is too pop sounding. I agreed with the majority … when I first heard it. Then I let the music and lyrics sink in. Lyricist Matt Embree is trying to vocalize the disgusting way people hide themselves to become more beautiful. Newstand Rock (exposition) is the real reason I love this band. This is the most political track of the album, with fists punching at first the government (namely the war in Iraq) and to the “hollow candy coated melodies” that take over the radio waves. A kick ass rock song if there was ever one. Overcome (the recapitulation) provides the true reggae styling of the band. Embree’s vocals coupled with percussionist Chris Tsagakis pounding drums produce a stone cold grove. Fueled on Newstand Rock, the song moves from “the politicians wars” and “military scoreboards” to Embree proclaiming the “positive will always overcome the negative.” Another great political Bandits song. Mastering the List comes in as the longest song of the album at just over seven minutes. It is a collection of all their styles, from the jam pickup to the reggae vocals to the rock chorus. Lyrics such as “we are finding out that we know better” seem to symbolize what identity the band feels they have. Embree gripes about “falling in line” by attending school, getting a job and family and then dying yet sings it in a heartfelt enough way to not sound preachy. The final four minutes of the song find the band free styling to the overall scheme with a spacey slow down halfway through. The album is not without its faults though. Generic rock songs such as Prophetic and Falling Down the Mountain provide the weak points in the album. The background noises of Falling sound annoying in comparison to organist Steve Choi’s usual accompaniment. These two seem to be background filler for the rest of the disc. So to recap; Art, good. Packaging, frustrating. Songs, half good half decent. Again, nothing like the big leap for Progress, but a good addition to their discography. People who liked this also liked:           Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
"A kick ass rock song if there was ever one. " This album is really pretty good, but not nearly as good as Progress. While it is more technical, it lacks the cohesion and personality of Progress, and the more abstract themes never really come together. I love this cd because it's something I feel they really poured their hearts into making, I love the lyrics and I love the artwork. My favorites would have to be Dinna Dawg (and the inevitable onset of lunacy) and decrescendo. They also rock live :) very experimental record! you must take the time to listen it and to understand it... falling down the mountain is great you reviewer listen to it again This is kinda funny cause this one kid down lower on this list talks about how Finch and the Movielife are the only talented bands on Drive-Thru, not RxB. I'm in London right now, and a couple weeks ago I met three of the guys from Finch sitting on the steps on their hotel, so we talked for a while. I asked them who the most talented band on Drive-Thru is, and they said, without hesitation, "RxBandits. By far." True story. Yeah, this review is stupid because the cd is great. The second review is much better. until the dolphins attack you of course i thought alcohol and night swimming was a winning combination Pepsi Blue and Vodka is a winning combination. "mr. anonymous the point was that i saw a lot of urgency in the comments by these people to view a few paragraphs of alternate opinions. it doesn't matter to me how many people said it, it could've been one person and i most likely would've posted the same comment. plus right now punknews obviously isn't up-to-date on their review posting procedure. it's no big deal, they're usually so consistent that i won't mind at all an occasional lapse in their standard operations. " "hahahahaha it's so funny that a mere 3 people have posted comments requesting the other review. Whoa, I guess a person (including myself) that wants to see another interpretation of this album needs to get a life! I mean, man. Posting a one-sentence comment that took about 5 seconds to type is wasting SO much of our lives. " any band that can be considered ska probably has some police influence. and even though the resignation definitely moves away from ska, there's still a very police-like vibe. good call. It's probably because a lot of people don't realize how good of a band the Police were. Progress had a big Police influence as well. it would have been nice if this review had mentioned how a few tracks on this album show very strong Police influences. "hahahahaha i cant see why this new review is so important. your life will go on before and after you see " RX Bandits - The Resignation [2] " on the sidebar. isn't there better things to look forward to?" no there isnt. hahahahaha i cant see why this new review is so important. your life will go on before and after you see " RX Bandits - The Resignation [2] " on the sidebar. isn't there better things to look forward to? Please post the other review... Yeah, weren't we supposed to get the other review of this on Friday? Are you still going to post the second review? the acoustic recapitulation is ... what are the words... its so good its moving. especially if you get hooked on the cd version. wasting ten bucks is worth those two versions, if you can call it a waste. ten is a damn good song, 10 coupled with eleven creates a devastating one two punch, and then ending with decrescendo just sums it up. these guys are here to take the image back out of rock. and yet another amazing release by the rx bandits. so good. man, every time i listen to this cd it gets better. everything is improved from drums to vocals. definitely different, but totally fine. and songs 10 and 11 might be one of the best consecutive 2-song combos ever. "What does Aaron play in Link 80?" "but just so you know they DID have a full length before halfway between here and there.." What does Aaron play in Link 80? I just spoke with a local record store and they said the Canadian release date is August 26th. Have any Canadians found this in any stores? By the way, Aaron Nagel (The guy who did the paintings and the new RxB website) plays in 2 bands you should check out Bah. The very fact that it was recorded live is revolutionary enough. i kind of agree with the review that the album is good but nothing ground breaking...but just so you know they DID have a full length before halfway between here and there.. New Thrice is decent, nothing compared to Illusion of Safety, but let's save that conversation for next week. I dont know...the new thrice cd isnt that bad "i feel bad for the horn section of RxB. Seems with the progression that they might not be around for the next album." Yeah considering the trombone player actually co-wrote a song on this one? You're a jackass, the horns are VERY present here they are just not as up front as most ska bands and when I saw them I got to talk to the sax player, very cool guy and he was extremely happy with how the album turned out. The bandits will never ditch their horn players, so shut up. Also, to the guy who said the Thrice record was going to rape my grandma...I have the album, it came out on IRC a few nights ago and I really don't like it. Compared to The Resignation it fucking blows. Thrice needs to experiment a little more as their songs are all starting to sound the same. Also, the new CD is really lacking in cool guitar riffs...it pales in comparison to Illusion Of Safety. "The day I got this CD I knew it was good, but there were a few songs I was kind of riding the fence on. Two days later I can't even remember which songs those were as the whole album just sounds great. Progress was the same way for me." I havent heard these guys since the "Brother Can You Spare Some Ska" Compliations that Vegas Records put out in the late 90's. They're sound has improved so much...I may be a little less biased since this is the first album I've really heard by them but I'm impressed. Sell You Beautiful is a rad song, I dont see why people are bashing it. Sure its a little poppy but it doesnt sound the same as everybody else. "where did that sweet regae vibe from progress go" '' I liked progress but god this is bad... '' "I'd compare RXB albums to those "Magic Eye" images where you stare at them for awhile trying to find the picture in a bunch of apparent randomness, then suddenly, without warning the whole thing jumps out at you in 3D and you realize it's an intricate work of art." "Recorded live? Please explain" Recorded live? Please explain. I have the CD, and would appreciate it much more. (Than I already do) I don't think you actually listened to the album. It is amazing, and if you listen to each song more than once, you will realize that each song is amazing, and there are no filler songs. They recorded the cd live, how many bands do that. This cd is far better than progress, but it has too much hype to live up to. I think it lived up to that hype. I am amazed by this relase. I dunno, i never really cared for RXB. maybe i need to listen more, like you guys are saying. Some songs, like "Analog Boy," are great listens, but i never really built up an appreciation to buy a record or anything. dude, no. The day I got this CD I knew it was good, but there were a few songs I was kind of riding the fence on. Two days later I can't even remember which songs those were as the whole album just sounds great. Progress was the same way for me. Lame analogy, but I'd compare RXB albums to those "Magic Eye" images where you stare at them for awhile trying to find the picture in a bunch of apparent randomness, then suddenly, without warning the whole thing jumps out at you in 3D and you realize it's an intricate work of art. Has anybody on here ever ate straight citric acid? I just did. What a trip. Perfectly Said, I'm glad a few people on this site are still open to music itself. To everyone who "gets" RX Bandits, and you know who you are, do you remember how long it took you to truly understand what progress really is? I'm sure it wasnt the first time. And even when you did start to get it, didnt it take another dozen or so listens to really get it and to see the nuance and genius of it. Well give this time as well. We arent going to understand this right away either. The Resignation, much like Progress is a unique original piece of art that happens to be in musical album form. This bring into question why the reviewer spent so much time on the packaging. It doesnt really matter to people who dont get it already. Yes the artwork is very postmodern and has a lot of impact even if you cant understand it. Very much like the bandits music, very powerful even if confusing at times. The other important thing about the packaging is that they use different textures to the paper and design. It just reinforces how the bandits are not a typical band with typical or traditional albums, artwork, packaging, song structure or message. This art is revolutionary in its substance and if it touches you, revolutionary in a political sense. just like good art!!! i feel bad for the horn section of RxB. Seems with the progression that they might not be around for the next album. where did that sweet regae vibe from progress go. still a good cd though "it's just a CD full of songs u hear, skip the last 30 seconds of cause they drag, then forget about how the song even went. I liked progress but god this is bad..." whoops, overstatement...i meant to say rxB are a little bit better than movielife in my opinion...sorry I agree that the movielife are one of the better (more listenable) bands on drive-thru and it's a shame that they even signed to drive thru. This time next year is such a good album, and I need to go and buy it again since i lost it. Gambling Problem was a horrible CD but i think they still can gain their credibility back. Movielife isnt anywhere near as good as RXB but theyre still pretty good. whats wrong with a 58 minute jam session? especiall coming from the rxbandits, this is real untapped shit, if youve seen "those damn bandits" live, youd know they love to jam, and im sure if you asked them, most of the tracks on this cd are products of jam sessions, the review doesnt do this cd justice, also, I BETTER NOT HERE ANYONE SAY MORE SKA NOT ENOUGH SKA, its a good arguement for ltj, but the bandits are a different story, its hard to explain but they are going for a diff. sound its not like they ditched ska cuz it wasnt cool, its just differnt. and also, does anyone think the last song might be a sequel to "get" they both have a similar message. also, what would you classify this cd as? i can only say unclassifyable. its truely a masterpiece "It's like a 55 min jam session by musicians who can barely play their instruments." When I first bought Progress, It was a day before the Rx/NFG/Starting Line show in Minneapolis. I was so disapointed with the record. The next day, at the show, I was surprised to find myself singing to all the songs. It just took a while for Progress to grow on me. And when I listened to "The Resignation" CD yesterday. I was once again disapointed. But today I threw it in with a more open mind, and realized that this Cd is pretty artistic. Much more complex than Progress, and also carrying much better music. I think everybody's problem with this Cd is that its not as catchy. this is a little ways down there but speaking of the best closers of all time you got to give it up to "the apollo program was a hoax" (i think thats the name of the song, i'm forgetful) by refused. booya, that song is fucking amazing. mommy should buy you a calendar instead of the thrice cd. I must be the only one who thinks this CD is awful. It's like a 55 min jam session by musicians who can barely play their instruments. Maybe that's too vague, but it's just a CD full of songs u hear, skip the last 30 seconds of cause they drag, then forget about how the song even went. I liked progress but god this is bad... man, this time next year wasn't even fucking released on drive thru... I know I have complained enough about this review, but now I'm seeing Falling Down The Mountain as a highlight and DEFINATELY not filler material...the chorus is so fucking good. "all i have to say is listen to this time next year, because it is one amazing cd" I got an email from Drive Thru saying that they sent my CD yesterday (the release date) after I preordered a week ago. So why did I pre-order again? Fuck those guys. When I saw them play, their set was mostly ska and reggae songs. In my opinion that's what they do best this website sucks- how can a nicotine cd get a better review than the rx bandits????? that is crap...rx bandits are mre musically talented than half the crappy bands reviewed on this site. ignorant reviewers... asheron sabo- you really have abslutely no idea what you are talking about...learn what good music is. this album is amazing. Im swerving to agree with this 'progress part 2' comment , but the chances are you're little reviews would still be whinging if they'd changed their sound again in a the same way Progress was completly different to Halfway..Rx have found a style that they are genius at, so they'd be fucking stupid not to keep at it. What were you looking for? This new version of 'Masteing the list' sucks. The original had more 'rock out' to it, but so far thats my only complaint. Rx Bandits are the best band i have ever heard/seen in all my brief life. "I can relate with the reviewers feelings. I've only listened through it once, but it really does feel like Progress part 2. It's good, but more of the same." Amazing. hey, stop ripping on the movielife. who ever said that they stole the spot light from new found glory is far from the truth. the only reason they would ever be compared to nfg is because the ep they released (has a gambling prob). that ep completely screwed their sound over, hell, they didnt even like their own ep. though they arent as good as the bandits, they are pretty close, and i highly doubt 12-15 yr. olds would like them after their new release. Everyone should give this band a listen, because i know their ep made a lot of people not like them. all i have to say is listen to this time next year, because it is one amazing cd. with that being said, rx bandits completely rule all and the new cd is too amazing for its own good "the way it fades out the same way the album starts is beyond artistic." Your spelling of asinine is asinine. of course we all have our own opinions, but the comments about the movielife and finch being better than the bandits are assanine. i completely agree with hey_sailor on everything he/she had to say.and this made me laugh a lot, a whole lot... Well i'm not floored, but should i have been so selfish and consider that a dissapointment. This album is insane! The structures and tempo changes make this the most unpredictable album to come out thus far this year. "the 'progress' of their sound from "progress" to "Halfway.."" it's very true that they recorded it live to quote Matt on the DVD interview "if you're a real band, you ought to be able to play your songs." I still can't get ove the kid who think Finch is better than the Bandits. God help us all. "I can relate with the reviewers feelings. I've only listened through it once, but it really does feel like Progress part 2. It's good, but more of the same." great album, decent review. i wish you had gone into their sound a bit more. if it's true that they recorded it 'live' than man i'm even more impressed. quality stuff. oh yeah and she has no female reproductive organs upon review of the album i have come to the following conclusion: The comment below me was made by a 4 year old ape. The RX Bandits have been around for about seven years and are by far the only talented band on their label. I like this album so far. wait...there was never a "the" in their name... I can relate with the reviewers feelings. I've only listened through it once, but it really does feel like Progress part 2. It's good, but more of the same. I get what you are saying but once a band has found their place (as the Bandits did with Progress) there is really no need to completely change styles again. I think they just added a lot more depth to what they had established. sorry about how that came out, too much spacing. (warning, there is NO sarcasm at ALL in this reply) I've now listened to it through 3 times and I wish this review could be deleted, it's going to turn a lot of people off to a great album. DON'T LISTEN TO THIS GUY! Give this a listen before you judge. i dont think its really fair to try and compare this album to what progress was at its time (i know it was only two years ago) but its pretty tough to come up with something as fresh and new as progress was. they nearly reinvented themselves with that album and you can only go through so many transformations ya know. the album is really close though, i think i like it more than progress, but i wouldn't say that its a better album than progress was if that makes any sense. hopefully the next review will give this cd a bit more justice. this cd blows me away, its absolutely amazing, and i think the rxb crew would tell you its everything they wanted and more, progress was a very strong release as well, but now, i think the boys from seal beach have found there niche, the cd sends a strong message, its original, and it truelly brings out the talent this band possesses, g-d bless the pharmecuetical bandits Saw these guys live the other day. Wow... those are some talented mofos. Seriously. They were just creating like 6 minute intros for each song on the spot, and they were friggin perfect. These guys have the talent to play any form of music they want, and play it good. "If you don't dig/agree with this review, we have another one in the queue but it won't run till Friday..." Hey, Progress wasn't their sophmore album. It was their junior. Those Damn Bandits was the first, then Halfway. . ., then so on and so on. Unless you're being literal in the fact that it was the RX Bandits, and not pharmaceutical. blah blah blah The DVD has 3 live songs on it (Progress, Sell You Beautiful, and I forgot the other as I just got it this morning and don't have it on me). It's also got an accoustic solo performance by Matt in his mom's garage doing "Overcome", a short interview with him, and a few live and studio photos. It's ok, but the audio track is out of sync with the footage on my copy. man, the movielife fuckin rocked a million years ago. when did the bandits rock? the rx bandits are great. the resignation is great. this review sucks. what is on the dvd?? thanks for talking about that fucker If you don't dig/agree with this review, we have another one in the queue but it won't run till Friday... Guy below me: This score is for the Bandits in general, as I have not had the chance to listen to the album (which I bought today) in its entirety yet. Thrice comes out the 22nd, not the 25th. Never heard the RX Bandits and they don't sound too interesting. Oh yeah, the fact that this album was recorded live (as in the whole band playing together) impresses me beyond belief, anyone writing these guys off just because of their label needs to shut the fuck up...this is raw talent. I'm sure you guys got a better review then this piece of shit...C'mon the guy complains about the size of the lyrics. If you haven't then I just might have to write my first review ever. This album is fucking incredible, I loved Progress but this is lightyears beyond that album. The fact that they now have 2 main songwriters allows them to branch out into every genre and masterfully combine the best of each. I saw them live on this last tour and I only regret is that they didn't play more of this new stuff. IN-FUCKING-CREDIBLE. This reviewer has only liked them since they made it big with Progress and seems to see that album as a basis of comparison so PLEASE someone else review this properly so I don't have to... it was 9 bucks at best buy, with the dvd, but no dtr sticker. i dont really care about the sticker. This is their 4th album. Their first was Those Darn Bandits. Gotta love wimpy socialist ska bands. "i think the movielife are the only decent band on drive thru" Did you guys kiss and make-up with Drive-Thru? I thought for their bands you put "label" next to the review? Yeah, my score is for Drive-Thru. I sort of agree with this review. I think this album contains some of the best songs the Bandits have ever written, but the 2 or 3 "rock" songs sound too watered down in comparison. It's still one of the best albums I've heard in a long time by one of my favorite bands, so I wasn't disappointed at all. Rx Bandits are some of the most genuine and talented guys out there. They also put on an excellent show. There are 6 guys in the band, and they play flawlessly, effortlessly, perfectly in sync. Awesome band, great message, great music. Much respect to them. wow... i haven't heard this yet, but who cares? i think the movielife are the only decent band on drive thru. this band rocks, but this album is a little too weak for me. I wouldn't walk across the street to piss on this band if they were on fire |
