No Name No Color - Middle Class Rut Review

           

            Fans of Sacramento based Middle Class Rut probably already know that the duo released their first full length LP about a month ago, but I’m sure they’ll excuse the writer’s tardiness in reviewing it.  The record, No Name No Color, is a collection of some previously released recordings and some new tracks, but is notable as the band’s first “real” album available widely, opposed to just at Middle Class Rut’s live shows.  It stands as a shining attempt at capturing the band’s particular performance

            No Name No Color spans a wide range of Middle Class Rut’s playing styles, but at the same time never seems to stray far from their stripped down, simplistic style of rock n’ roll.  As far as a particular style or comparison, Middle Class Rut sounds as if The Black Keys and Refused had some sort of love child, but luckily, they look to bring the best of both bands.  Classic stompers “One Debt Away” and “I Guess You Could Say” exemplify the pair’s knack for keeping the riffs slow, attractive, and aggressive, as well as almost twanged with an ounce of blues.  Alternately, they also rage on tracks such as “Usa” that point more to punk roots than anything else.

            Passion definitely seems to be the main driving force behind vocalist/guitarist Zack Lopez.  Despite whatever is in his path, he is determined to get Middle Class Rut’s music out there.  As he shouts “I came into this world as nothin’/I ain’t gonna leave that way” you feel that you had better stay out of his way, or at least come along for the ride.  Accompanying Zack’s angst ridden swagger is drummer Sean Stockham, who balances the guitarist’s furious performance with one of his own.  Sean’s drumming can be relentless but languidly groove as well, and his more docile voice is a great complement to Zack’s insistent tone.

            Middle Class Rut undeniably offer a strange brew of music that asks a lot of questions. (Was that a banjo?  Was that a breakdown?  Was that Steven Tyler in Home Sweet Home?)  The tracks that see the band at their best are their forceful, rollicking chord stompers that occasionally delve into punk freakouts, such as the instant classic “Busy Bein’ Born.”  Middle Class Rut also excels at a more thoughtful form of blues rock that has their own added flair.  Sometimes, however, this can spell bad news for the duo, “Are You On Your Way” certainly feels as if it could be much shorter, or at least less reflective.

            No Name No Color is a very energetic and appealing collection of Middle Class Rut’s music, if a bit rough edged.  The album appears to have captured the band’s captivating live performance (which if you have the chance to see, is definitely worth it), and the most important element of Middle Class Rut, passion.  They have appeared to have found one of rock n’ roll’s most important mantras, that simpler is sometimes better. 

Key Tracks: “Busy Bein’ Born” “New Low” “Thought I Was”