Every town in the country with more than five stoplights has a band like the Riptones. And that’s a good thing, judging from this veteran Chicago ensemble’s third record for indie label Bloodshot.
Singer Earl Bonansinga writes the songs, and the typical subjects are well represented: bars, cars, and women. No hidden agendas here. The best tune of the bunch is “Getting By”, a beautiful hillbilly ode to the working man.
Guitarist Michael Krasovech has heard his fair share of Elvis, Chuck Berry, and Link Wray; his playing is a pleasure to soak up like so much day-old whiskey, riding on waves of tremolo and pings of reverb. Earl Carter’s upright bass locks in with Kurt Wiesend’s swinging roadhouse drums, leaving room for Bonansinga’s butterscotch cream vocals to top things off.
Though the album’s minimal production is appropriate for an indie release, it almost feels as if the band is holding back on certain tunes, leaving the record in need of little more rocked-out performances.
Will the Riptones ever rustle up a national tour with Social Distortion or Dwight Yoakam? Probably not. But are they fun to see on a Friday night in the Midwest? I’d bet on it.