Riodine Band - Experimental/Indie-Rock

Latest Music Releases

OCT

Worldwide

Single Release - "JUDGE"
October 28, 2021 at 12:00am, Thursday

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Now here is a tasty treat, a nod to traditional Hip-Hop blended with Indie-rock connotations is the latest release from Riodine, called Judge. Featuring members of Neomatik, Riodine brings a large ensemble to this rap giving this track a party feel. If you can imagine the Beastie Boys teaming up with Biz Markie, then you would have Judge. This offering revolves around the theme of breaking the law and standing before the Judge awaiting sentencing. This offering revolves around the theme of breaking the law and standing before the Judge awaiting sentencing. Of course, for our hero in this narrative, we are getting a guilty verdict which in turn, allows Justin Snyder(vocals) and Ed Kabatsky (vocals, member of Neomatik) to paint a colorful tapestry of emotions running through the accused’s mind. “Remember to keep your story straight, Don’t cross that line, man, You should have listened.” From here we go through the stages of denial; “You prayed for an answer, You looked to the sky, You cursed and spit spells, What you got was a war cry” but in the end, the Judge makes the final call; “Bring down the gavel, Slam the book closed, Witness the unraveled, Legend decompose”. OK, we have some clever metaphors throughout these crafty lyrics, but the performance is where we should really be focusing this review.

Judge

By Sara Kabatsky

The judge in the hall
is firm on his stance
The circus will happen
in spite of romance

We stood there together
Near the open door
Waiting for the words
Preparing for (an) uproar

The judge in the hall
is firm on his stance
The circus will happen
in spite of romance

We stood there together
Near the open door
Waiting for the words
Preparing for an uproar

How fast you changed the story
When your myth lost its use
Your hunger for glory
Dissolved all the truths

You prayed for an answer
You looked to the sky
You cursed and spit spells
What you got was a war cry

The judge in the hall
is firm on his stance
The circus will happen
in spite of romance

We stood there together
Near the open door
Waiting for the end
Preparing for uproar

Remember to keep your story straight
Don’t cross that line, man
You should have listened

You prayed for an answer
You looked to the sky
You prayed for an answer
You looked to the sky

How fast you changed the story
When your myth lost its use
Your hunger for glory
Dissolved all the truths

You begged (prayed) for an answer
You looked to the sky
You cursed and spit spells
What you got was a war cry

Bring down the gavel
Slam the book closed
Witness the unraveled
Legend decompose

Bring down the gavel
Slam the book closed
Witness the unraveled
Legend decompose

Don’t break the law
The judge is in the hall
This is it - he made his decision

Bring down, bring down the gavel
Bring down, bring down the gavel

My advice to you
Don’t live by this sword
‘Cuz you know how this ends
You’ll get your reward

My advice to you
Don’t live by this sword
‘Cuz you know how this ends
You’ll get your reward

My advice to you
Don’t live by this sword
‘Cuz you know how this ends
You’ll get your reward

Your time is up
Goodbye old friend

Credits

Justin Snyder (vocals)
Ed Kabatsky (vocals/keyboards)
Nicholas Kabatsky (keys)
Alek Sleczkowski (guitar)
Joseph Tidnal (drums)
Andrea Perry (bass)
Rashid Akmanov (mouth harp/back vocal)

Music written by Ed Kabatsky
Mastering by Shai Fishman
Artwork design by Ed Kabatsky and Rashid Akmanov

Video

Judge - (Official Music Video)

Music

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Rich with metaphor, and deep imagery, Neomatik in collaboration with members of Riodine tells a crafty narrative with their single; Ranger Simon. With all the lyrics in the reviewed version in Russian, the band was gracious to provide me a translated lyric sheet, where I am able to follow along, yet still receive the intended message even though I am hearing Russian. Now for those of you who shy away at this concept of listening to Russian Indie-Rock, let me assure you the vocals on this track are elegant, calming, and quite wonderful to listen to. In fact, I am very happy to be able to review a track of Russian lyrics as a learning opportunity to travel outside my perceived biases of what great Alternative Indie Rock should be.

Ok, Ranger Simon is a singer-songwriter acoustic number that follows many of the same formulas we are exposed to in mainstream hits, yet the instrumentation presented by this group of incredibly talented players forces the listener to hear many subtle, and not so subtle nuances which give this track its legs. Intricate guitar melodies playing around a phrasing pattern almost tells its own story. The walking bass funk which does not hog the bottom end yet resolves many of the cadences is a nice counter-balance to the vocalist who stays just above the bass register. This call and response patterns with the bass are very well-executed as it is fresh, exciting, and frankly refreshing to hear this level of maturity to know the bass is the proper instrument to highlight the melody, allowing the guitar to explore the top end with ease. The drumming is straightforward but very tight, allowing this exploration of musical themes to always fall nicely back on the downbeat. Lyrically, of course, if you spoke Russian, you would be dazzled by the clever tapestry of characteristic Ranger Simon is given; “The Ranger Simon is driving, In a dusty jeep, He is confident in himself, He sees meaning in every, Bittern's cry”. Isn’t that just cool?

Егерь Саймон

Стихи Дмитрия Стрижова

Орлица с рыбой в лапах
Летит над гладью воды
Но выстрелов не слышно
Охотники прячут следы

А егерь Саймон едет
На запыленном джипе
Он уверен в себе
Он видит смысл
В каждом выкрики выпи

Егерь Саймон не был в городе
Где есть небоскребы
Он любит природу
Он делает все
Не для, но чтобы

Егерь Саймон едет
Чтобы оштрафовать меня.
Но я люблю убивать зверей
Особенно на исходе дня

Я вижу оленя попавшего
В мой прицел
И если б не егерь Саймон
Олень вряд ли б остался цел

Едва ли б остался цел
Едва ли цел

Ranger Simon

Lyrics by Dmitry Strizhov

Eagle with fish in its claws
Flies over the surface of the water
No shots are yet heard
As hunters hide their tracks

The Ranger Simon is driving
In a dusty jeep
He is confident in himself
He sees meaning in every
Bittern's cry

Ranger Simon never visits town
Full of skyscrapers
He loves nature
He does all
To preserve it

Ranger Simon
Will write me summons
But I love to hunt animals
Especially at the end of the day

I see a deer
caught in my scope
But if not for Ranger Simon
That deer would not escape

Barely would escape
Barely escape

Credits

Ed Kabatsky (vocals/keyboards)
Nicholas Kabatsky (keys)
Alek Sleczkowski (guitar)
Joseph Tidnal (drums)
Yakov Dyman - (violin, flute)
Rashid Akmanov (mouth harp/back vocal)

Music written by Ed Kabatsky
Lyrics by Dmitry Strizhov
Arrangement by Nicholas Kabatsky
Mastering by Shai Fishman
Artwork by Sara Kabatsky
Design by Ed Kabatsky and Rashid Akmanov

Practical Man

Listen, download or stream now!

Album Review

I had the privilege of receiving and reviewing Ranger Simon; the debut single from Neomatik’s; Practical Man some time ago much to my delight. At first listen I was enthralled with the brilliance and overall flow of a Russian indie rock track coupled with Western melodic structures would have on me. The dynamic instrumentation, pop-inspired choral hooks, and very catchy beats make Ranger Simon a track with plenty of commercial potential in North America. And I believe due to my fandom, I have been given a sneak peek at Practical Man before its expansive release. Practical Man is a ten-track offering that is the brainchild of Ed Kabatsky, a Russian immigrant who landed in the USA in 1990. Ed brings a deep, literate inspiration of Russian poetry, and heritage to his music which has been heavily influenced by American indie rock and experimental song structures. This expressive portrayal has translated into catchy harmonious, and melodic songs are sung exclusively in Russian which appeals to a vast audience.

Moving away from the debut single Ranger Simon, Practical Man also features catchy tunes like the opening –track, Dangerous. I really love this track, as the drum work mixes a militant snare with syncopated cymbal smashes keeping the audience moving in all different directions, yet contrasted by the definitive tempo and melody lines that give this track its drive. The clever walking bass patterns which encircle the drums are so far outside the pocket, it seems to be written for another song yet this counterbalance of funk opens up the dynamic range allowing this track to really stand out as a bonafide hit.

The stand-out track, however, in my opinion, has to be You Look Strange. This track features a droning pedal tone which escalates the tension throughout the track giving it an almost eerie, uneasy feeling. As Ed Kabatsky sings his delicate, soothing lyrical lines over this pedal tone we really get a feel for the range he possesses as a vocalist. What is most impressive is this ascending harmonic structure ties the song together as the vocals are free to explore many harmonic concepts. As each of these lyrical themes brings Ed’s voice up to higher registers, he resolves each cadence with ease and satisfies the listener into wanting more and more.

Although reviewing all nine tracks is outside the scope of this reflection, the next single from Neomatik is actually Ed Kabastky and Riodine’s track Judge. This track is presented with English lyrics, main vocal by Justin Snyder and sums up the Practical Man release with a witty, happy closure. A song inspired by Sara Kabatsky, Judge is a satire of the justice system related from the eyes of the defendant awaiting sentencing. Judge is a wonderful single showcasing Ed Kabatsky’s collaboration effort with Riodine, and a track sure to receive notoriety.

Practical Man is a wonderful release, a testament to the maturity and professionalism of Neomatik and the exceptional talent Ed Kabatsky is able to employ to make beautiful, inspiring indie rock tracks with an edge of experimental. Do not be fooled that a songwriter project in Russian would be amiss, this release is highly-entertaining yet challenging for the listener which is quite rewarding.

Reviewed by: Lee Callaghan

Press Release

Riodine is pleased to announce the long-awaited debut release of Practical Man. A journey of love as frontman Ed Kabatsky assembles a perfect blend of musicality, personality, and expressive character with players from across the USA and Russia. With streaming numbers rising steadily since its release, the debut single Ranger Simon has proven this is a project worthy of notice. Follow-up single, Judge released on October 28, 2021.

Ranger Simon released exclusively in Russian showcases the versatility and mainstream potential of indie- rock crossing genre and language barriers to create a sound appealing to a vast audience. Ranger Simon features lyrics based on Russian-American poet, prose writer, and profound artist Dmitry Strizhov.

Judge, being the quick follow-up contrasts this dynamic with an English release, yet maintains the tight, rhythmic feel of the previous single. With its clever metaphor on the modern justice system and the raw emotion portrayed throughout the narrative of a subject awaiting sentencing, Judge is an entertaining offering that challenges its listener.

Fresh off the success of his solo project, Neomatik, Ed Kabatsky (vocals, guitar, and keys) has teamed up with Nicholas Kabatsky (piano), Alek Sleczkowski (guitar), Joseph Tindal (drums), and Justin Snyder (vocal) to create a perfect blend of creative influence in experimental, indie-rock sounds from an American and Russian perspective. Adding to this talented, and professional roster Riodine has also enlisted the services of Rashid Akmanov (vocals, mouth harp), Yakov Dyman (violin, trumpet, and flute), Andrea Perry (bass), and Alex Lenner (second bass).

Practical Man was completed in the summer of 2021 and is now slated for an official release. This offering is being delivered exclusively in Russian as a tribute to the heritage and ancestry of Ed Kabatsky and the rest of the Russian members. A follow-up album is slated for an upcoming release featuring all tracks in English.

Currently residing in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Riodine looks to pursue live showcases of their unique Russian/English sound.

Please join Riodine as they celebrate soon to be announced release of "Practical Man" the Experimental/Indie-Rock album, and the release of the single; Judge on October 28, 2021