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All Rattle And Dust

Stiletto, Stiletto (2004)
XOXO Records

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Ronen Kauffman
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on March 2nd 2004

All Rattle And Dust is the name given to the project masterminded by one Ben Driscoll, a young guy from Iowa who sounds old for his age, and might just be something special. Taking cues from Social Distortion, Tom Waits, and the Violent Femmes (among others), this EP reveals Driscoll to be a budding master at writing warm, tuneful Rock songs. The combination of his slightly raspy voice and the often jangling guitars is incredibly inviting – kind of like those old Bruce Springsteen jams that make you feel like you’re being showered in an honest, protective anthem. If you’re into that sort of thing.

Of course, there’s no shortage of singer-songwriters coming from the Punk community these days, with everyone from Chris Carabba (Dashboard Confessional) to Tom Gabel (Against Me!) turning their boy-and-his-guitar acts into band-and-their-leader rock extravaganzas. But with a distinct grit and an overwhelmingly evident desire to be soulful and real, All Rattle And Dust have released a debut that is nonetheless compelling, fun, and infectious.

Stiletto, Stiletto demonstrates a wide range of expression, revealing Driscoll’s potential for real depth. And although it’s just got 6 songs, this EP feels very complete - All Rattle And Dust does a good job of balancing the raw emotion of roots-oriented Rock and Roll with the pop sensibilities needed to make a hit. And although the production often feels thin and undeveloped, it almost works in the band’s favor by proving that they don’t need super hi-fi to show what they can do.

Overall, Stiletto, Stiletto is a keeper, and possibly a preview of great things to come. If fans can overlook the somewhat amateurish production (and packaging), they might just discover their new favorite band. And let’s hear it for a new Rock release that not only has reverence for the genre’s roots, but also has nothing to do with technical mosh metal, mainstreamo, or whatever other Punk-by-numbers trend is currently popular.

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Anonymous (November 24, 2004)

If you get a chance check out All Rattle & Dust's MP3's at xoxo records. You can order the album through our label or our distributors listed in our links page!

Anonymous (July 19, 2004)

I got to see Ben and gang once in Colorado Springs I have worn the Heartattacks album of theirs to bits and have had to many people borrow it from me. I hope to give all rattle a listen if its anything like there old stuff (heartattacks or rocksandrooftops) I'll be smitten. PS Hi Kyle.

Anonymous (June 3, 2004)

man, korn isnt from iowa, slipknot is

Anonymous (June 3, 2004)

im from bens home town, i spent alot of years looking up to him, most people around here did, i remember once he said "yeah i dont have much of a band right now because i dont scream" i liked that

Anonymous (April 22, 2004)

Score is for Bruce

Anonymous (April 19, 2004)

korn is the best band out of iowa

Anonymous (April 13, 2004)

all rattle and dust..what can i say..maybe the best band out of iowa in a long time.ben is amazing..ive been to dozens of his shows from when he was in conniption fit.to rocks and rooftops...he is talented and i hope people check him out..i dont say much about bands but this is a guy you have to hear

Anonymous (March 22, 2004)

good review, when the hell are they coming back to cali?
mark

Anonymous (March 17, 2004)

Where the hell did this come from?

(hint : stop hitting F5)

-c22

Anonymous (March 10, 2004)

i have always liked Ben's work, this is definatly one of my favorites. excellent review!

-Twan

Anonymous (March 10, 2004)

very nice review. ive been listening to ben's music for a long time now, and pretty much everything he writes is gold. plus andy and driskull are two of the coolest/nicest dudes around. EVERYBODY GO SEE THIS BAND!!

-tim

Anonymous (March 9, 2004)

awesome review... check out all rattle and dust mp3's at xoxo records

Anonymous (March 9, 2004)

awesome review... check out all rattle and dust mp3's at xoxo records

Anonymous (March 8, 2004)

Everyone click this link and then the number it tells you to click.

My Army!

Anonymous (March 7, 2004)

Although I haven't heard this EP yet. I'm sure it's worth a listen. We played three shows with them during the FL stretch of their tour last yr. and i made sure to watch them every night. Definitely chk them out live.
-Daniel
seventeenafter.com

Anonymous (March 6, 2004)

noreply- have you seen this band? have you heard them? read the lyrics? what dont you like. be objective....
-jimmy

noreply (March 6, 2004)

'I'm From Iowa and allrattleanddust kick ass! Definitly buy this and go see them live when they come to your town.'

well im ohio, and i say they suck. bitch.

Anonymous (March 5, 2004)

Ill uninspire you, motherfucker. get your head out of your ass and listen to this album.

Anonymous (March 5, 2004)

These guys are copying off of bands that were cool because they were copying off a mixture of styles. It doesn't work, either.

Shitty, uninspired band.

-BSD

Anonymous (March 4, 2004)

i saw these guys in jersey in jan, it was fuckin great. i think you get this ep through their label online...xoxo records

Anonymous (March 4, 2004)

I'm From Iowa and allrattleanddust kick ass! Definitly buy this and go see them live when they come to your town.
Nice review as well.

Anonymous (March 4, 2004)

I'm From Iowa and allrattleanddust kick ass! Definitly buy this and go see them live when they come to your town.

Anonymous (March 4, 2004)

Where can I download the whole EP? Anyone have it?

Anonymous (March 3, 2004)

Nice review...the first in awhile that has actually motivated me to check out a new band

Anonymous (March 3, 2004)

Good review.

Anonymous (March 3, 2004)

This score is for Zombie Apocalpyse.

Minor Threat

lieutenant (March 2, 2004)

This score is for Bruce Springsteen.

I have yet to hear from this band, but words have made me quite excited to do so. The score is also for this review, and this score also goes out to Floyd.

Anonymous (March 2, 2004)

I really enjoyed them when they came to tallahassee. Hope they come back even though the people are shitty.

Jon_the_Skafather (March 2, 2004)

i'm very impressed......i like this alot from what i hear.

gatecrasher (March 2, 2004)

score is for Bruce Springsteen