And the award for most pointless release goes to...Rufio! Yep, ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you quite frankly the biggest waste of time I've come across for a while - Rufio's new self titled EP. Well, I say EP, it's actually only just three songs and ten minutes in length. And all of those three tracks have been made available for download at the band's website or at Nitro Records HQ. So what's the point of this release? Well, after signing to Nitro the band felt they should 'reward' fans with some new songs before they release a proper album on the label later this year. But when you read reward, I think you should read into it 'rip off'. For anyone who pays more than a couple of pounds or dollars for this is wasting their time. This isn't really a reward at all, and although all three songs are great, this is record company cash-ins going mad.
For those uninitiated with Rufio, this foursome are rapidly becoming one of America's hottest properties. Bashing out fast pop-punk which is littered with some mindblowing guitar work, they released their debut album 'Perhaps I Surpose' to critical acclaim in 2001. Word of mouth quickly spread, leading to sell out shows and a knock at the door from Nitro. This stop gap release paves the way for a Nick Raskulinecz-produced album due out sometime this year.
The songs on the EP are very good, I'll admit that. 'Why Wait?' is typical Rufio, punishing drumming and some fantastic guitar riffs, with Scott Sellers and Clark Domae using their instruments to bounce off every wall and whip their fans into a frenzy. With a massive singalong chorus too, it proves that Nitro have made a handy signing and the inevitable step up into the pop-punk major leagues is only a small leap away. 'Set It Off' carries things on in the same tone from 'Perhaps I Suppose', with Scott's vocals of a similar standard and the guitars sound very Rufio. Clark's riffs are again inventive and complex, making it a refreshing change in the world of the three chord trick. The EP ends suddenly with the third and final track, 'Don't Hate Me', which it could be argued is the best on offer. Mike Jimenez's drumming is fast and ferocious during the chorus and Scott's vocal melodies are as easy to listen to as anything on offer at the minute.
There's some enhanced gubbings as well, but I buy an EP for the music, not for the preety pictures my computer lets me see. There's no doubting Rufio's talent and these songs prove that they are ready for the punk rock Premier division. But this is no more than a record company cash in and unless you're a big fan it would seem pointless in purchasing it, with a new album only round the corner. It's four stars for the songs, but two stars for value for money - so buy and be warned.
www.rufiomusic.com
Paul.
