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Rhett Repko Thnx For The Ride Review by Gary Hill I reviewed a previous set from Repko. On that one I talked about the vocals being a bit too much like Green Day (I find Billy Joe Armstrong's voice to be too whiny and don't like his band because of it). Well, I don't really hear that much on this one at all. The pop rock stylings are still here. They do get a little formulaic at one point. Still, there is enough variety, and the music is strong enough that it holds up well. I think this release is stronger than that previous one. This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2018 Volume 1 at garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2018.

Track by Track Review

Thnx For The Ride Alternative pop rock is the order of business here. I like this song quite a bit. It's catchy and has a lot of energy. This is very much in line with a lot of modern pop music, yet some of the instrumental arrangement makes me think of the more pop end of the nu-metal spectrum. The keyboard solo is a nice touch, too.

Please Don't Laugh That metal end of things isn't really here. Beyond that, this is similar to the opener. Still, it's perhaps even catchier.

It Ain't Coming From You A hard rocking stomper, this is less pop oriented and meatier. Yet, it still has some catchy hooks. This cut works better than the two openers for me.

Maybe I'm Weak While this is another solid cut, the formula is starting to wear a bit thin. It's too much like the two openers.

And I Told Her So Now, this brings some much needed variety. It's another bouncy cut that's mostly pop music. That said, there is a stripped down approach that's almost funky to a lot of it. When it powers up it gets a bit of a metal edge. This just has a great groove to it.

Learn Your Name This is meaty rocker. It's hard edged and very cool. It's one of the highlights of the set. It has a real raunch and roll vibe, but doesn't celebrate the hook-laden approach to get it.

Make Me Right There is a punky vibe to this, landing it near emo territory. That said, there is also a bit of a Stray Cats kind of thing here.

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