The Rorts – Big Decisions 7″

Sometimes, when the time is right, you just need good old rock ‘n’ roll to wipe all the heat, tension, and problems off your back. There’s something soulful about vocals, loud amps, groovy low ends, and powerful beats that arrives like a remedy during those days when nothing else could help. Proper rock ‘n’ roll music has an ability to heal even the most persistent wounds and encourage you to move on. The Rorts, an Australian power trio, is certainly one of those bands that know how to deliver impactful sound, where the collision between guitars and beats soothes the heart and soul. But while their music sounds healing and utterly beautiful, there’s no denying the trio is also up to delivering heavy, crunchy, unfiltered aggression, perfectly paired with a healthy amount of themes, melodies, and harmonies. With “Big Decisions,” their new 7” released on July 15th, they prove why garage rock is still a vital music genre capable of sounding so fresh, unique, innovative, and exciting. If you take a deep dive into these songs and examine their sonic aesthetics, you’ll notice how garage rock reigns supreme throughout the entire material, but the band also fully stacked it with some of the finest elements borrowed from punk rock and rock ‘n’ roll. You’ll hear how their music shines with everything you dearly love about late sixties garage rock, seventies and eighties punk rock, and a perfect slice of good old, raw, emotional, unfiltered rock ‘n’ roll. And during these levitations between various significant eras of rock music, The Rorts sound unique and powerful. Their music packs all the heart and soul you ever needed from rock ‘n’ roll, yet leaves a tremendous impact, like you’ve been hit by a ten-ton truck. The best part about it is how these two songs shine in the limelight with more than enough qualities that will not only appeal to longtime rock ‘n’ roll fans, but also to anyone who appreciates loud, emotive, melodic, perfectly constructed music.

As soon as you put this fine piece of plastic on your turntable, you’ll realize The Rorts are not joking around with their sound. “Big Decisions” reads like a good book, but instead of a literary introduction, the band kicks off this 7” with heavy, abrasive, catchy, memorable, engaging riffs that resemble a mixture of late sixties Detroit and mid-nineties Swedish garage rock sound. There’s more than enough analog warmth and valve boost packed in those riffs and chord progressions, yet generous servings of distortion prevail, delivering that colossal slab of harmonious noise we all adore. And while the guitars strike hard all the time, there’s a raspy, raw yet utterly soulful vocal performance serving as a counterweight and delivering all the melody and harmony you need. Empowered by the back vocals and anthemic singalongs, it serves as a guide that leads listeners on an epic voyage through the expansive sonic universe. In the meantime, the rhythm section packs a lot of punch through those crunchy, groovy, warm basslines and steady beats that, besides keeping everything in line, also dictate groove and pace. On the flip side, we got “Timing Is Everything,” commencing with heavily distorted basslines that already promise this will be a wild ride we all deserve. And while the drums keep time with all those cleverly assembled beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics, and the already-mentioned distorted low ends offer depth, heaviness, and aggression, the guitar accentuates and decorates this ambiance with various noisy and melodic maneuvers. During the pre-chorus and chorus, the guitars unleash tremendous amounts of articulated distortion, distilled into elegant chord progressions and riffs. These sonic and rhythmic acrobatics are garnered with more outstanding vocal maneuvers, delivering even more melody and harmony over the top. Such a perfect composition that will force you to spin this 7” all over again. And while this fine piece of plastic carries only two songs, please keep in mind you can hear two bonus compositions on The Rorts’ Bandcamp page. Both “Tooth And Nail” and “Big Guns” deserve your utmost attention, as they carry the same qualities like those included on this 7” record.

The Rorts have crafted an outstanding 7” that will suit even the pickiest garage rock and punk rock fans. “Big Decisions” is one of those records that creates a tremendous impact with just two compositions and forces you to take a deep dive into The Rorts’ career and discover more tunes. If you love garage rock from the bottom of your heart, just like The Rorts do, you should give this material a proper listen, follow this band on social media, and support them by purchasing their latest 7” record. Do not miss this gem!