Album Notes

The Riffbrokers' new EP is a thought-provoking dessert served less than a year after the Seattle band's critically praised 2011 full-course, Every Pilot's Blinded By The Sun, hit the shelves.

Produced by the group's longtime comrade Johnny Sangster, Green Key marks the entry of former Evangeline and Low Land High guitarist Chris Cline into the Riffbrokers camp. Cline's distinctive, melodic guitar stylings punctuate frontman Nick Millward's gritty vocals throughout the EP's tracks, while Barb Hunter (Cobirds Unite, Visqueen) places her haunting cello in the center of "Cowboy Film."

Yes, haunting. Green Key proves to be a spell-casting departure, a contemplative diversion from the Americana-based power-pop the Riffbrokers are better known for. However, the band re-embraces their signature — in spades — with the EP's blistering and appropriately titled finale, "Reentry."

The Riffbrokers-The Green Key Will Let You In EP. While on the topic of prolific bands from the US Northwest, the Riffbrokers are back with a brand new EP on the heels of last year's Every Pilot's Blinded by the Sun. Featuring more of the Petty/Replacements-style rock we've come to know and love over the years, the EP features several strong tracks including the opener "Around Too Long" and the closing rave-up "Re-Entry". But its the contemplative middle that makes this a special release; "An Extra in a Cowboy Film" and the title track show that it's not all loud guitars and heartland rock with these guys. And the best part is that this EP, along with apparently the rest of the Riffbrokers' back catalog, is free for download at Bandcamp.
-Absolute Powerpop 2/14/12