Sometimes it's hard to go anywhere with a review other than the most blunt statement, and in the case of the Oklahoma-based band Ripple Green's new single “Time Piece,” all I can say is that it's damn good rock. They're not necessarily reinventing the genre here, but they're taking the best of what's been made and adding a personal flair that makes it an entertaining listen.
The band believed that “creativity and expression through music could provide an escape from the mundane life they faced in the plains.” That's what time piece is. It's escapism music. Much of jam rock is. It's hard not to draw comparisons to Phish or Portugal the Man—two completely different bands that have both mastered the genre. Ripple Green has taken the formula and infused it with personal lyrics that as they say:
“turned into an account of how people's lives revolve around other individuals over time.”
From the chorus to the hook, the song is pretty much an earworm in itself. It all stems from such a seemingly unsuspecting chord progression, however it sticks with you to the point that you'll be humming the tune all week. Plus, Joel Parks' vocals just enhance the bluegrass infused sound that the band has and makes it all the more catchy.
The band has described their new EP “Timepiece” as:
A step out of adolescence for Ripple Green that came from spending half of last year in Europe. It signifies moments filled with adventure and a grateful shift in approach to their songwriting.
As for the video, it's just an expression of joy, youth, and creativity that was all filmed during the 2014 summer solstice. It just reinforces the band's sound and origins: escape. Definitely look out for these guys in the future.
“The three members of Ripple Green met during Kindergarten in small town Oklahoma. Their formative years were spent being mischievous friends who built slingshots, climbed trees, and made short films. Soon, however, upon leaving Elementary school, the idea to form a band was spawned before any of the members owned or played their instruments. To them, creativity and expression through music could provide an escape from the mundane life they faced in the plains.”
The Timepiece EP is due out on July 31st and is available for pre-sale on iTunes.
Hey, I'm Karl, founder and film critic at Smash Cut. I started Smash Cut in 2014 to share my love of movies and give a perspective I haven't yet seen represented. I'm also an editor at The New York Times, a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, and a member of the Online Film Critics Society.