Red Riders - Replica Replica
(2006)

Review by Sean Lynch

Who doesn't love watching try-hard indie rockers walking around uncomfortably in skin tight black jeans with a hair do that screams "I spent more time on this than I should have"? I love it! And if you've ever been to a Red Riders gig - you'll see them in droves. Luckily, they are one of the best new Aussie acts around.

After several well received EP's, and numerous live gigs around the country, Sydney based rockers Red Riders graduate to the big time with a pretty commendable debut LP.

There are some kickin' toe tappers on display from the get-go on "Replica Replica", most of which are the best of the best performed from their live gigs - those songs that often left the crowd wondering "That song is friggin' brilliant, why isn't that on the EP?". Well, they were saving the best for last it seems, because they are all here - and it's about time.

Opening track C'Mon gets the album off to an upbeat start, while new single A.S.P.I.R.I.N. is the definitive Indie Rock track. What They Say About Us makes it's way off the myspace and into the big leagues, while Scream offers some quality vocals which you just know will blow audiences away during a performance in a small venue.

However, "Replica Replica" is worth the purchase price alone for the epic In My Sleep. This track has closed most of Red Riders shows for the last year or so, and is easily a crowd favourite. While it may not project the euphoric power on CD as it does in the cramped environment of The Tote, The Ding Dong Lounge or The Northcote Social Club - it still stands as a brilliant song that could easily challenge anything coming out of the mouths of the world's best song writers. Simply superb!

A quality Aussie act that will hopefully not lose any of their live impact now that they are on their way to playing the bigger venues.

RATING: 4 out of 5