River City Rebels – Done With Love

River City Rebels have a long and convoluted history that I’m not even going to attempt to explain in full.  Instead, I’ll just keep it simple and say that with all their lineup changes, stylistic shifts, and near breakups, it’s a wonder that the group keeps on trucking.  Fronted by original member Dan O’Day, the group has come a long ways since their initial ska-punk days on Victory Records.  Ten years later, what started as a group of angry punker has since evolved into a relaxed take on jazz, rock n’ roll, and folk punk.

Right from the start existing fan will notice just how comfortable and at ease the River City Rebels have become.  Their latest effort, Done With Love, is easily the band’s most casual sounding album of their career, even more so than their most stripped down offering, In Love/Loveless, for at which point the band was formally a two-piece.  Fans will no doubt find similarities in instrumentation with 2007’s Keepsake Of Luck, but even as the closest precedent, that comparison is a stretch.

Now at the ten-year mark, the band could be best described as an organic combination of The Dresden Dolls, and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, while existing under the spirit of Bruce Springsteen andRancid.  The horns on opener “One Sheet” are an instant throwback to the late 90’s, the hooky, classic guitar and dancehall aura of “One More Dance” loosely gives off an almost untraceable cabaret vibe, and Dan O’Day’s vocals sound as tired and exhausted as Tim Armstrong.  All the while the songs come coated with an undeniable sense of class, alternating between indulgent, jazzy sax solos (as per “Tell you I Told You So”) and touring member Sara Stolvall’s folked up, gliding violin (“Round Trip Heart”).  And then there’s the indie-esque piano and retro guitar of tracks like “Here Today.”  If it wasn’t for the band’s deeply rooted history, I highly doubt Done With Love would be pegged with a “punk” tag at all, but when it all fits together this warmly, that’s a moot point.  To put it more (or perhaps less) clearly, it’s is the type of music you’d throw on if you hosted a classy basement bar but absolutely detested Michael Bublé.

I’ll admit though, I wasn’t initially sold on Done With Love, but after a good few listens it has revealed somewhat of an endearing quality, and has become a definite “grower.”  The production style sounds as if ripped right from the 80’s – with that slight “tingy” feel and a rather mellow bass – so it requires somewhat of an adjustment period.  But after a couple spins the album speaks for itself, eventually making for an easy and inviting listen.

Unlike River City Rebels’ past works, these rebels aren’t about to incite a stage riot with Done With Love.  But at this ambitious point in the band’s career, that’s hardly the point.