The River Empires - Epilogue

Artist: The River Empires
Album: Epilogue
Release Date: 4/6/10
Label: Independent

When it comes to music, a natural and organic sound can be necessary for a band to become successful. In this case, we have The River Empires. Made up of multiple musicians, including Jessy Ribordy and Josh Shroy (formerly of Falling Up) and Casey Crescenzo (The Dear Hunter), you can expect TRE to be an easy success. Full of multi-instrumentation and some of the most natural music I've heard in a while, Epilogue, the debut album from The River Empires, will come out one of the year's top indie/folk rock albums.

A story is found on this 29-track album, being a soundtrack for a movie that vocalist Jessy Ribordy has written. Some highlights throughout include the beautiful piano laden track "Overture In Thales Summer" that sets a sleepy mood. Another is "Three Tigers," filled with the catchy drumming from Shroy.

Ribory's vocals are another high point on the album, blending perfectly with whatever instrument is thrown into a song, whether it be pounding drums or the gentle strokes of a piano. "The Marching Of The Clocks" is a good example, focusing on a heavy indie sound. The haunting opener and closer "The River Empires Theme I" and "The River Empires Theme II" appropriately hold the chilling sound heard throughout the successful debut from The River Empires.

Rating: 8/10 The debut album from The River Empires comes as a good debut. When listening, you can actually feel the music and the story within the album. I recommend the new project from Jessy Ribordy to fans of Falling Up's later stuff and just about any indie or folk fan.

Tracklisting:

1. The River Empires Theme I
2. Overture In Thales Summer
3. Our Neighbor, The Earth
4. The Coventry
5. Galloping Through Day Blooms
6. The Harbourland
7. From Faye To Astral
8. A Toast To The Snake King
9. The First Message
10. Catacombs and Orchards
11. Three Tigers
12. Stag Hollow Fair
13. Lull of Celeste
14. From Outside The Cellar
15. Vcias In The Pines
16. A Dimmer Lux
17. Lillius
18. Witches Blossom
19. The Curse of Maybel Cains
20. Wildbriar
21. The Motorbike
22. The Pelican
23. The Backyard In Sparkles
24. Land Of Canoes
25. Theon, The Fox
26. An Elliptic Figure From Borelli
27. The Marching Of The Clocks
28. The Woods Of Northland
29. The River Empires Theme II

(Buy Here)