Rydell have always been a band that had to work hard for the good reputation they've gained these days. The five british guys toured their asses off, released split CDs with many bands, including a quite popular Gainesville-Band, but somehow Rydell never seemed to get the recognition they deserved. They definitely play honest music, with honest melodies and honest lyrics. They've been part of the scene for a long time now and there's definitely no reason to question the band´s integrity.

"Hard On The Trail" is the new release of these five musicians. The singer knows how to express the mood of the songs with his well-known voice. What´s typical, at least on every Rydell-release, is the particular sadness and melancholy in the songs, although they can be quite punky on the one hand and yet quite catchy-pop-alike on the other. The guitars are distorted in certain parts but clean and full of harmony in other parts. Rydell also play fantastic pop-parts, a trademark of this band. One can read "always stay true" in the credits and I know that the band itself has always been the best example in realising that. With "Hard On The Trail" Rydell play the music they always did and do what they were always best at. It's quite understandable that Rydell are called the British HOT WATER MUSIC´. "Hard On The Trail" does not kick in directly after the first listening. One first has to cope with some quite tricky rhythms and unexpected and surprising melodies. But after doing this Rydell are a man's best friend and songs like "Awkward Times", "Born Witness" and "Analysis Of The Evidence" become so familiar it's clear that they have the potential to become personal top-hits. "Hard On The Trail" contains eleven Songs, which are an ideal fix for every Hot Water Music and Samiam nerd. Song No. 11 is the cover "Boys Of Summer" we already know from bands like The Ataris, but Rydell´s version is better by far. It shows the courage of these musicians too as Rydell did not try to make it sound original or too catchy but more in the style of their own rocking band.

As it seems this Band will always be England´s un-crowned kings of the melodic hardcore genre. To the people out there wanting to listen to honest, passionate music with lots of energy, I can say Rydell are the perfect deal. "Hard On The Trail" is definitely one of the most important indie records so far in 2004.