Punk/Review Richie Harrison - The Rope
It will come as no surprise to fans of Richie Harrison that The Rope is a way of working through the artist’s feelings. For 20 years, Harrison came in and out of bands, but his anxiety prevented him from releasing music of his own. That was until his single ‘The Firing Line’ was released to incredible reviews. Suddenly, music had become a lifeline for Harrison as a way to work through his issues.
The anger and despair of navigating the muddy seas of current politics are channeled in Richie Harrison's song "The Rope." Harrison offers a brutal assessment of the deluge of political rhetoric that frequently leaves us feeling more bewildered than empowered in this song. The song reflects the mental tug-of-war that occurs from attempting to filter through the cacophony of contradictory viewpoints, manifestos, and social media hyperbole. The theme of "The Rope" is the difficulty of picking a side in a political argument when it seems like "they all lie."
Harrison's distinctive edge is on full display in this song, which combines gritty, churning guitar riffs with gloomy, dramatic vocals. Despite being lively and rhythmic, the verses gradually build up to the chorus's wild, chaotic frenzies of distorted guitar. The music of the song captures the underlying sense of ambivalence and brewing annoyance, interspersed with cathartic bursts of frantic release. Harrison's voice has a genuine sensitivity that goes well with the song's lyrics, which center on emotions of hopelessness and mistrust of the status quo in politics.
"The Rope" works well as a song that strikes a balance between the personal and the political, as well as a declaration of discontent. For others who are equally disillusioned, Richie Harrison has created a relevant and rebellious song by revealing his own anger with the present state of political debate. The tune is captivating to listen to through to the end because to its gritty atmosphere and potent emotional undertone.