Starting out in the trenches of rock and roll nearly three decades ago, Rick Shaffer has been grinding away with no signs of slowing down or softening his edges. Kicking off his solo career in 2010, Rick Shaffer has made a name for himself with his gritty, uncompromising sound, and continues to build on that legacy with “Rites & Stories,” his latest release.
This album arrives as a testament to an artist whose solo career is now thirteen albums deep, but still refuses polish in favor of raw, ritualistic intensity.
LINER NOTES: https://tarockmusic.com/2025-rites-stories-liner-notes/
The title of the album itself reveals Shaffer’s maturity as a musician. Initially beguiling, it later becomes clear that the “Rites” are the fragmented instrumental sections and trance-inducing rhythms, while the “Stories” come through in the form of narratives: songs about temptation, regret, and redemption. Together, they create an atmosphere that is as unsettling as it is immersive.
“Standing in the Shadow” and “True Religion” are incredible openers, creating a dark and dissonant sonic landscape that immediately sets the tone for what is to come. This is not music for casual listeners; it’s meant to challenge, disrupt, and question the audience.
“Pleasure” stands out as an intriguing centerpiece, as it settles into a more melodic groove with eerie guitar riffs. Shaffer’s raspy vocals cut through the accompaniment, with lyrical depth that questions how meaningful our pursuit of pleasure is. The song embodies the album’s central tension: indulgence laced with regret; beauty tangled with danger.
Shaffer’s production choices lean toward a more raw and unpolished sound. It’s not radio-friendly, but provides a more authentic experience to the serious listener.
This is a philosophy Shaffer’s carried from his earliest days with The Reds into his current Berlin-inspired phase, where echoes of Bowie and Iggy Pop resonate.
As the album comes to a close, it simultaneously slows down its tempo while ramping up the intensity. Tracks like “Slow Days” and “Cry for Justice” feature more
aggressive, even violent, guitar sections that reveal the experimental edge of Shaffer’s musicianship.
For listeners who crave rock that feels dangerous and unafraid to dwell in the shadows, Rites & Stories is a powerful offering. It’s an invocation of sound from a seasoned musician still pushing himself, and his audience, into deeper, darker territory.