Riley Etheridge, Jr. – Meaningful, Wily, Somber

By Alicia in Partner News and Reviews on Jan 19, 2012

Brand new EP coming your way January 24!

Fans of Riley Etheridge, Jr. won’t be surprised by his latest EP release Better Days. The sounds and lyrics they have grown to love are on high display in his newest four songs. This time around, Riley worked with just a drummer (Dan Rieser) and bassist (Tim Luntzel) which produced sounds much more stripped down than some of the ones featured on his previous album Powder Keg.

Riley’s friend called the songs on this EP "real people playing real music" and that is such a true observation. The songs come across as having real meaning about real situations. There wasn’t fluff. Just well put together songs. My favorite song is Even As We Fall. It was fun and really uplifting. I thought it was a great way to start an EP. The next 3 songs are noticeably slower but not so much that you lose interest.

I would have enjoyed listening to a full album instead of the standard 4 song EP. I felt like the album ended just as it was getting started. Maybe I was looking for another upbeat song to end things or perhaps I felt like the story wasn’t done being told. Either way, this EP will make Riley Etheridge, Jr. fans long for another full length album which I hear should be released this year. For those who are unfamiliar with him, this EP will at least get them interested in his music and searching for other works.

BETTER DAYS TRACK LISTING

Even As We Fall The More Time Passes By Roll With The Tide Better Days

Better Days will be available by digital download on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 via Rock Ridge Music. Get the latest news on this release by visiting Riley's Website, Facebook and Twitter.

Check out our interview with Riley Etheridge, Jr.!

jitZul interviewed Riley last year just before his release of Powder Keg.

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