Music
Press
Offering a slightly eclectic sounding collection of songs, albeit only 5 total, could only be a slight, painful tease to the disconcerting ear. Riviera skates on solid ice through these 5 songs which include pop-ish, spacey genres. The vocals of Tim White (keyboards and bass) are soulful, smooth and vaguely familiar despite that a comparison will not make itself known to this critic. But then again, Riviera's songs here are all very much guilty of that. Maybe it's because it's not suppose to be - the ever so eager placing of the always-so-off comparisons. The guitar work of Joe Crowley and Brian Neubauer may draw some influences of others (Riviera lists Flaming Lips, D'Angelo, Pink Floyd, Radiohead and M. Ward as some influences) yet, each track offers a fresh composition so different from the last one and completely unpredictable to the following. "Brighter Day", touches off with some slight drama as a strolling bass line accompanies a piano track. “Save Yourself”, is a song I could listen to over and over again. Each piece of instrumentation fits perfectly here to my ear, meshing together in a pool of sonic bliss. “Hollywood”, sounds like an anthem of sorts, as White sings, “she said not tonight/she said not tonight.” I am not sure if he is singing about a person or an overall subject matter. This is ok with me because Riviera’s music will allow this aspect – allowing the listener to slightly obsess over things here. Scratchy guitars poke around the song, “Division”, but trumpets also make a strong appearance, melting everything together wonderfully. Overall each song offers this edgy, dissonance feel to it, similar or not to songs you have heard before or never at all. - edie - Dig This Real
“Save Yourself” is the impressive debut EP from alternative pop rock / shoegaze outfit Riviera. Riviera advertises themselves as “classy music for classy people,” and it’s hard to disagree with this concept. This EP is filled with good rock music, with a great pop vocal performance that is at once familiar and distinct and great arrangements that breech typical rock expectations. Riviera’s lyrics are strong, poetic, and often direct, offering outlooks on life in general from a down-but-not-out perspective. “Hollywood” opens with the lyrics, “Leave your old life behind, this is your new world,” and the listener at once knows the direction and meaning of the song. “Save Yourself” is well-produced, and the vocals and arrangements both sound great. The title track, “Save Yourself,” has good lyrics, a lo-fi arrangement, and the simple chorus, “Save yourself/From yourself/Save yourself/From yourself.” “Division” features a great arrangement that is layered with a horn section and a fantastic guitar solo, while also supplying strong emotional lyrics and vocals. Riviera has created a promising debut EP that leaves the listener on the edge of their seat in anticipation of a full-length release. If you are a fan of classy alternative pop and shoegaze, pick up this EP. - RadioIndy
Discography
Save Yourself [EP] July 2008
Save Yourself [Single]-streaming/radio airplay
Hollywood [Single]-streaming
Division [Single] - streaming/ radio airplay
Photos
Bio
Tim White grew up wooing the mothers of the other neighborhood children with lullabies he would play on a beat up Fisher-Price piano, promising each one of them that he would run away to California with her once he made it big. When Joe Crowley was a young boy he created a wall of sonic dissonance so enormous that it drove his family out of their home to live in the woods. Once he had the house to himself, he built his first home studio. One night as a child Brian Neubauer mixed the howling of dogs with the hum of the crickets to click and thump of the sprinkler heads and watched as the young girls danced and swayed in the nighttime watering of the lawns.
When they finally met on the RIVIERA, they realized that individually they had certain gifts, but together they could move people…
After many years of experimenting with distorted atmospherics and sensuous harmonies in the mountains high above the urban sprawl, they began to notice certain cultural and climatic anomalies in the city below. The men began to walk with a certain swagger, and the new humidity in the once arid climate had a distinctly feminine smell.
There was a population explosion, and those who were born came to the RIVIERA to dance.....
Tim, Joe and Brian assembled a team of experts to execute the low end detonations and high end pyrotechnics with reedy flourishes and wanton females vocals while in the cities and towns men and women left their homes and places of work to gather in great halls and opera houses.
When the lights went down and they took the stage RIVIERA was at last…
Influenced by Elbow, Yo La Tango, Flotation Toy Warning, Twilight Singers, Flaming Lips, Radiohead, Al Green, Pink Floyd, and Arcade Fire. RIVIERA makes classy music for classy people.
RIVIERA’s debut EP, “Save Yourself”, available everywhere.
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