Rattle Ok - Rattle OK

Rattle OK

Rattle OK
self-released; 2015

3.5 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Rattle OK is an L.A. based band consisting of Len Amato (guitar, harmonica and vocals), John Richards (lead guitar and vocals), Tom Murray (drums and vocals) Matt Pensabene (bass) and Jay Roewe (keyboards). Their recent self-titled release Rattle OK is a straightforward rock album with solid songwriting but contains no surprises for those who have gotten past the very surface level of what the genre offers.

The band has figured how to write a catchy chorus and how to deliver it. An achievement that many bands are still trying to get to. That being said, their songs lack that X-factor that clearly defines why the band sticks out from the surplus of bands who can also write and deliver a decent tune, which is something that is harder and harder to achieve in this day and age. 

One thing that helps the band and their music is the production. The band worked at Pacifica Studios and Carriage House Studios with Glen Nishida and Nick Viterelli. Everything in the mix sounds good and actually is reminiscent of production that was popular in the ‘80s - clean drums with a tight, compact sound that sounds as good in mono as it does in stereo. 

Rattle OK is a consistent album that doesn’t contain any duds but also doesn’t have too many songs that stick out either. The band adheres to a formula and doesn’t deviate. You won’t find any one off piano ballads or ambient pieces here. The band delivers eight songs that fit in the genre of rock.

They open with a slightly bluesy number entitled “Above The Noise.” It’s a heartfelt song with an exceptional chorus. The organ is a nice, subtle touch. “Am I Strange?” is elevated to the above average status because of the harmonica at the beginning while you can picture “Gimme Gimme” as a song that would have worked with The Rocky Horror Picture Show. 

“Tongue Tied” combines some reggae in to the mix. Comparisons to The Clash on “Tongue Tied” is not unreasonable. They close with two highlights entitled “Remember When” and “Caroline.” 

Rattle OK isn’t reinventing the wheel by any stretch of the imagination but they offer fun, unpretentious rock that is easy to embrace. I can deliver two thumbs for this album.

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