14 songs, released in 2000. This 14 song CD takes 35:41 for completion, 2 min and 33 on the average per song. This 3 piece band is from San Francisco, and mixes pop-punk in with a harder edge, which is a definite plus. All aspects of this band are very professional, with very clear recording and amazingly good layout of the CD, except the sides of the back panel. As soon as the CD starts, it is only a short time to hear all parts of the band, excellent bass playing by Tim Leather, very amazing guitar by Taran Ramage, who consequently plays drums as well. This is an interesting combination which one would have to think wouldn�t work at all live. On songs like � I�ve got to�, a pseudo metal style is adopted, while other songs like �Clown Parade� have a punk style. Others yet, like �Five�, contain both elements to make a 70�s metal punk fusion that really works for the band. Riptopolis has an incredibly diverse set of influences, and those influences come out to make a absolutely unique band. Corrosion of Conformity is a definite influences during �Resolution�, a simple rock song, totally devoid of the punk elements, and consequently lacks urgency. �If You Want� brings the punk element back to the band, even though the song is about a long relationship- a subject that is explored in a trilogy of songs (Resolution, If You Want, Still). For some reason, the progressing CD is of a depressing tone, with a faintly hear tone of longing in at least the trilogy last mentioned. The CD as a whole ties together quite nicely even with the totally different topics covered, the music played, and such. One can just feel the energy in these songs. The CD goes really fast for one that is over a half-hour, which has to be a characteristic of any good band. Riptopolis would be another good band to watch live, as it would be interesting to see the energy of the band change between the ever0changing moodes of the songs. Go to http://www.riptopolis.com, or write P.O. Box 421027, San Francisco, CA 94142-1077, or email [email protected]