Coming out of the last year, we all could do with a bit of optimism and a view to better days. Marc Ribler's 'The Whole World Awaits You' seems to know that, and as if making up for lost time, begins in a positive vibe with the melodious musings of the title track.
These are the things we used to fear. This is our world, it’s all so clear. Let’s dance around the roadblocks in our way because this is the day you dream. This time it’s all it seems. You took a dance. This is your chance to break through. The whole world awaits you.
That up-tempo message is maintained for the most of a high energy record that is impossible not to like.
Marc Ribler is probably best known as lead guitarist and musical director of the mighty Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul. He brings many of the exceptional Disciples with him as well as Steven Van Zandt on co-production duties. Van Zandt’s involvement in any project is a stamp of approval. And quality it is.
In these days of streaming and soundbites, it’s refreshing to encounter an album that you press play on and don’t have to worry about going near the controls until the record finishes. It’s good time rock and roll with hints of the ringing Rickenbackers of The Byrds or Tom Petty, but there is so much more to enjoy.
Standout track, ‘Who Could Ask For Anything More’ raises serious issues of corporate greed and pollution, a powerful message presented with a deftness of touch. Given the past year, it is a sound we all need to revel in and enjoy. Hard not to really.
There’s so much to enjoy on this record, from the chiming ‘Shattered’ with its choice slide playing to the romance of ‘The Only Truth’, the light acoustic touch on ‘Fly Away’ to the mambo-influenced ‘Manzanillo’.
A simple song with a simple message, ‘Without You’ is sadly so relevant now:
I don’t want to live in a world where everyone has an empty heart. I don’t want to live in a world where it still matters what colour you are. I don’t live in a place where you have to watch everything you do. I don’t want to live in a world without you.
It’s never too late to open new doors and face new adventures. Hopefully, the whole world awaits Marc Ribler. Signed copies of the album on vinyl and CD are available at marcribler.com