Asking For A Ride

Louisville, Kentucky, headbangers White Reaper effortlessly combine classic rock, punk, metal, pop, and indie rock on *Asking for a Ride*, their fourth studio LP and second for a major label. It is easily their most dynamic release to date: “Pages” recalls the band’s earlier days—a few chords, a classic ’60s rock ’n’ roll melody, a sing-along chorus. The coming-of-age anthem “Pink Slip” is all power pop meets punk, a hook-heavy good time welcomed next to the LP’s shred-till-you’re-dead riff-rocking moments (“Fog Machine,” the title track “Asking for a Ride”—throw a stone, hit a guitar solo). Elsewhere, the ’80s bass melodies of “Getting Into Trouble w/ the Boss” and the dreamy Britpop of “Heaven or Not” combine punk ethos with pop logos—a winning partnership.

The Louisville rock band refines its major-label sound on a brief but charming new album: It hits hardest when you don’t think too much about it.

With 'Asking for a Ride,' White Reaper skillfully strikes a balance between exuberance and introspection. Read our review.