Ripe Pretty Rude

• 1 The Caller 03:50
• 2 Things I Do 03:59
• 3 Call Me, Ishmael 03:14
• 4 Debbie & Lynn 02:58
• 5 The Work 03:29
• 6 Polish Deli 03:33
• 7 Unconfidence Man 04:09
• 8 No Moment 04:25
• Total Runtime 29:37

Info for Ripe

Talented songwriter, arranger, recording engineer and multi-instrumentalist James Palko has had a hand in a run of great records recently, ranging from his smooth, horn-laden take on the '70s as Jimmy Montague to an excellent pair of swan song albums from Taking Meds and Perspective, a Lovely Hand to Hold. Now, he's back with "what promises to be a breakthrough record" (-Punk Rock Theory) in Pretty Rude's debut LP with SideOneDummy. 8 tracks of pure guitar rock/power pop magic, this is easily one of the best debuts we've ever come across.

"Every listen of Ripe reveals more and more, getting bolder and smarter with every replay; it even recommended me a poem. Each song has a new sleight of hand in its production that you didn’t notice before, and each lyric has a different meaning you didn’t consider on the last listen. Pretty Rude walks a constant maximalist line, fascinated with seeing just how much they can pack in. I feel like I’m on the street corner with them. Most importantly, I’ve never been more inspired to finally read Moby Dick." (swimintothesound.com)

James Palko aka Pretty Rude, guitar, vocals
Tommy Eckerson, guitar solo ("The Work")
Nicolette Alvarez, Theremin
Sean Vigeant, backing vocals
Connor Vigeant, backing vocals
Zach Weeks, digital tanpura ("No Moment")

Recorded and Engineered at Blackheart Studios in New Hampshire by James Palko and Paul Piwowarski
Mixed by Jake Sinclair
Mastered by Zach Weeks at God City Studio in Salem, Ma
Produced by Pretty Rude

Pretty Rude
Brooklyn-based indie rock band Pretty Rude is thrilled to announce their signing to renowned record label SideOneDummy for the release of their highly anticipated debut album out in May. The record was produced by the band and mixed by Jake Sinclair (producer of Weezer’s White Album) and mastered by Zach Weeks at God City.

In anticipation of the upcoming album, the band is sharing their brand new single, “Debbie & Lynn,” along with its official music video which was shot and edited by Luke LeCount.

"Debbie & Lynn" is on all streaming platforms for any playlist shares. The song, which captures the band's raw energy and introspective style, draws inspiration from a Billy Collins poem titled "Traveling Alone." Frontman James Palko explains:

“‘Debbie & Lynn’ are two flight attendants I pulled from a Billy Collins poem 'Traveling Alone' and tried to give new life to. The song itself is about trying to move on and yet still carrying with you all your baggage that makes you who you are. The idea that there is 'No Vacation' from yourself and you can be prone to repeat self-destructive tendencies if you're not careful. And as Collins is only guessing at the lives of the people in his poem, another passenger on the plane reaches out to Debbie & Lynn for help to right this plane, or his life, gone awry.”

The single is the perfect introduction to what promises to be a breakthrough record for Pretty Rude. Their upcoming album marks a major leap forward, building on the momentum of their 2021 self-titled debut EP, showcasing an unparalleled chemistry between band members and their time together.

Formed during the early days of the pandemic, Pretty Rude began as an “online theoretical project,” as Palko describes it, with no clear plans beyond an outlet to distract from the end of his other musical endeavors, Taking Meds and Perspective, a lovely hand to hold. However, the creative spark ignited by writing alongside bandmate Matt Cook breathed new life into the project, quickly evolving beyond its initial phase into a full-fledged band.

“Going into the studio to make the record felt like that’s why I like doing this,” says Palko. “And the very fact that, in order to process my bands ending, I dealt with it by demoing and writing new songs, it’s pretty clear that I’m not ready to hang it up.”

The new album is an ambitious and smart debut, reflecting the band’s eclectic influences—ranging from pop and pop-rock legends like Randy Newman, The Beach Boys, and early Queen to the post-grunge power of early, good Weezer and Joyce Manor. These influences collide in the high-energy, attitude-filled anthem single "Debbie & Lynn."

This album contains no booklet.