Pour a glass of wine, find a window with a city view and just revel in the wonderful sadness of it all.

NIGHT ON EARTH
RIALTO
Koch Records

By Brenda Cowan

Do you ever miss 80's British pop music? That is, without the bad mullets and shiny pastel suits? Well, I've got a solution for you and you don't have to end up dressing like a refugee from a John Hughes film. That's right, I've found a cool British band with that 80's sound, but with their own special twist to it.

Rialto is the band and their latest offering is Night On Earth. This is an electronic peek into the world of the city dweller. From the first melodic, hypnotic notes of "London Crawling," you know you are not entering some lightweight pop world. This song feels like 3 a.m. in the middle of the week, looking out the window of a high rise apartment. The lyrics reflect that sadness you can feel when surrounded by thousands and thousands of other souls.

"Anything Could Happen" opens up with the chilling phrase, "They tried to kill us off," a serenade to those struggling to shine while being judged by those unwilling to even try and live. A strong drum and brass brings you to the chorus, "This world's uncertain/Anything can happen, an offering of some hope, but veiled in sorrow."

Rialto's present line-up is Louis Eliot (vocals, guitar), Johnny Bull (guitar, keyboards), Julian Taylor (bass) and Pete Cuthbert (drums). Together, they produce some of the most insightful, driving pop sounds that are perfect for those moments when we all feel a little lost. "Anyone Out There" just cries for a good stiff drink and a Kleenex. Go ahead, feel sorry for yourself; it's ok to be alone.

The entire CD keeps this feeling going, that you've just become a player in a piece of film noir. You know the ones, only filmed at night with no budget, but with too many cigarettes and alley ways. "Voices In My Head," "Say It's Getting Light," "It's Hard To Go To Bed," and the first lines of "Drive" should be playing over the opening credits.

Night On Earth comes with 11 tracks and one bonus track, but the real bonus is the entire CD. For those times you feel like being alone and a little melancholy, this is the CD to put on. Pour a glass of wine, find a window with a city view and just revel in the wonderful sadness of it all. Are you intrigued? Then go to www.amazon.com and get out the plastic money and make your purchase.

Page last updated: May 04, 2004

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