Rockfour: Memories Of The Never Happened

Rockfour
Memories of the Never Happened
Cooking Vinyl
2007-10-09

The Israeli group Rockfour initially appears as if they’ve been listening to Texas guitar darlings Explosions in the Sky religiously, judging by the lead track “Glued” which has a sense of sorrow throughout its otherwise very pretty arrangement. However, that appears to be the aberration of the album as “Half & Half” is a good rock romp that has brings to mind Caesars while the dreamy, escapist “Because of Damaging Words” fares much better. Rockfour isn’t the sort of band to delve into one area of rock, with the lengthy and rather lush “Old Village House” bringing to mind the best of The Kinks, early Moody Blues and Syd-era Pink Floyd. The first mainstream pop rock nugget is “Goes Around” that could have fallen off an old Rialto with its smart Brit-pop sensibilities. Another jewel is the slow-building and hypnotic “Young Believer” and the fully fleshed out “Corridors” with its subtle Beach Boys hue. Overall this is a very alluring and textured album from a band that produces anything but cookie-cutter rock and roll. Perhaps the best Rialto-sounding band since Rialto… You must remember Rialto, don’t you?

RATING 7 / 10