When Rival Sons released their second studio album, Pressure & Time , on June 20, 2011, via Earache Records, they weren't just releasing a collection of songs. They were issuing a manifesto. The album served as a bridge between the golden era of 1970s rock and the modern age, proving that blues-drenched, high-octane rock and roll was far from dead.
When Pressure & Time dropped in June 2011, it was a breath of fresh air for a genre often weighed down by over-production [2]. Recorded in just 20 days in Los Angeles, the album captures a "lightning in a bottle" urgency [2]. From the opening title track’s thunderous riff to the soul-searching "Face of Light," the record pays homage to giants like Led Zeppelin and The Faces while maintaining a contemporary edge [2, 5]. Why the "RAR" Search Persists
Reviving the Blueprint of Blues Rock: A Look Back at Rival Sons’ Pressure & Time rival sons pressure and time 2011rar
The album opens with a punch to the gut. Michael Miley’s driving drum beat introduces a groove that feels like a runaway train. Scott Holiday’s slide guitar cuts through the mix, setting a breathless pace for the rest of the record. 2. Young Love
Recorded in Los Angeles, Pressure & Time is a masterclass in minimalist, high-impact production. The band wrote and recorded the album in a hyper-focused span of just 20 days, capturing a lightning-in-a-bottle urgency. Producer Dave Cobb, who would later become a multi-Grammy winner, worked closely with the band to establish an authentic, analog-driven sonic signature. When Rival Sons released their second studio album,
You cannot discuss Pressure & Time without acknowledging its iconic cover art. The album features original artwork by the legendary Storm Thorgerson, the graphic designer responsible for Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon and Led Zeppelin’s Houses of the Holy .
Then, out of Long Beach, California, came Rival Sons. They didn’t try to modernize the genre. They didn't blend it with synthesizers or electronic beats. They simply plugged in, turned the volume up to eleven, and released Pressure and Time . When Pressure & Time dropped in June 2011,
A comparison of to their 2011 debut
Rival Sons' Pressure and Time is more than just a collection of songs; it is a declaration that blues-rock is alive and well. The 2011 release is a pivotal moment in the band’s history, and the continued search for the "2011RAR" version shows the lasting impact of its original, uncompromised sound. If you are looking to hear a modern band perfectly capture the spirit of 70s rock, Pressure and Time is the place to start.
The original 2011 release consists of the following tracks : (2:54) Young Love (3:00) Pressure and Time (3:17) Only One (3:12) Get Mine (2:25) Burn Down Los Angeles (2:26) Save Me (2:35) Gypsy Heart (3:28) White Noise (3:01) Face of Light (4:25) Versions and Formats