Album Notes

The Riffbrokers’ fifth album begins with the same elements that shaped their sound over a decade ago: harmonica, 12-string Rickenbacker, and a sweet blend of acoustic and electric guitars. Organ and piano figure more prominently with the contribution of Fred Speakman. Guests abound including Britt Speakman and Greg Collinsworth on vocals, and Ben Jones from Low Land High on pedal steel. Songs like ‘Better Angels’, ‘Forgive The Worst In Me’, and ‘Mindset’ are classic Riffbrokers powerpop, echoing The Byrds and Tom Petty. Decidedly un-Riffbrokerish chords dominate ‘Down From Down’ and ‘Another Guide’. The twangy half of the equation is present in ‘Rothko Brown’ and the two ‘60’s covers; ‘Thank You’ by The Remains, and ‘There Must Be Someone’ by the Gosdin Bros.

"Seattle's Riffbrokers are back with their fifth full-length, and it's more of the same no-nonsense power pop/classic rock that they have become masters at. Their sound is equal parts Tom Petty and The Replacements with a dash of Exile-era Stones thrown in, and the rocking "Better Angels" is the definitive proof of this amalgam. Nick Millward has just the right voice for this style of rock, and his bandmates provide a killer rhythm section. No bad tracks here, but more equal than others are the rocker "Mindset", the soulful "Calling All The Charlatans" and the catchy album closer "Thank You". No, thank you, Riffbrokers, for keeping the rock flame burning." http://absolutepowerpop.blogspot.com/ June 13, 2011

"This is this Seattle band’s 5th release and is yet another strong effort. For about a decade now, they have consistently delivered their uncompromising brand of garage/power pop with one solid release after another. This LP is no exception .It’s a fine collection of thoughtful songs by one of roots rocks most underrated acts. With an almost total disregard for fashion , the redoubtable Nick Millward and company forge on delivering their timeless brand of power twang. A lot of influences come to mind when listening to this record (Elvis Costello, The Jayhawks to name a couple). The Lyrics on this record are brilliantly understated and on songs like the poignant “Hard to Look At “ & “Please Forgive the Worst In Me” , Millward’s voice sounds like a whiskey filled, double pumper carburetor . He also once again wins indie rock’s annual Graham Parker Glass is Half Empty Trophy as he gripes on “Down from Down” the album’s third track, “ I’ve got more dirt than time now on my hands and I’m sadder than ten country western bands.” Although this release displays the band’s trademark first-rate songwriting, they also chose to lay down two souped up Gosdin Brother tunes to close out the album. Over the years this band has shuffled a few different players through the lineup, but the husband and wife team of Nick and Heather Millward continue to scratch out a place for themselves and march on with guitar straps around their necks and hearts on their sleeves. Most buzz bands don’t really deserve half the hype they get , The Riffbrokers do! " -DANIEL CRAIG www.daggerzine.com June 6. 2011