Rock N Roll Soldiers - The High School Sessions

mdbhayes

Review by Melissa Hayes

Album Review: The High School Sessions by Rock N Roll Soldiers Released in 2005 under Gearhead Records, The High School Sessions by Rock N Roll Soldiers is a raw and unfiltered dive into the world of indie rock with a pop/rock twist. Hailing from the US, this album wears its heart on its sleeve, blending Alternative/Indie Rock vibes that feel both nostalgic and refreshingly honest. With Marty Larson-Xu at the helm as vocalist, songwriter, and emotional anchor, the band crafts an experience that feels like flipping through a well-worn yearbook—full of youthful angst, rebellion, and fleeting moments of clarity. Let’s get one thing straight: this isn’t your polished, radio-friendly record. It’s gritty, imperfect, and all the better for it. Tracks like “Shut Your Eyes” and “Can’t Break That Glass” stand out—not because they’re flashy but because they stick to your ribs long after the music stops. “Shut Your Eyes,” driven by Luc Gunn’s punchy guitar riffs and Evan Sernoffsky’s steady basslines, has a haunting quality to it. The lyrics are simple yet piercing, capturing a sense of longing and frustration that hits close to home. You don’t just hear the song; you feel it. Meanwhile, “Can’t Break That Glass” punches harder than expected, thanks to Oliver Brown’s relentless drumming. This track builds tension so effectively that by the time it reaches its explosive chorus, you’re hooked—like watching someone crack under pressure right before finding their breaking point. Both songs showcase Marty Larson-Xu’s knack for storytelling without overcomplicating things. His voice cracks just enough to remind you he’s human too. Credit where it’s due: Scott Mathews’ production gives the album cohesion despite its rough edges, while Dave Schultz’s mastering ensures the sound doesn’t drown in its own chaos. Kent Matcke and Tom Luekens also deserve props for keeping everything grounded during recording sessions. These behind-the-scenes efforts make sure the focus stays on what matters most—the music itself. Now, here’s the kicker: listening to The High School Sessions feels less like hearing a collection of songs and more like eavesdropping on someone else’s diary entries. Sure, there are repeats (“Dead Man’s March” appears twice, as does “Lay Down and Die”), which might irk some listeners, but honestly? It adds charm. Like reliving memories over and over again until they become part of who you are. In the end, this album isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel—it’s just spinning it faster than most. And maybe that’s why it works. Listening to The High School Sessions, you can almost picture these guys jamming in someone’s garage late at night, fueled by cheap snacks and big dreams. If nothing else, it reminds us that sometimes imperfection is perfection in disguise. Who knew teenage angst could still pack such a punch?

Download Rock N Roll Soldiers - The High School Sessions
Artist: Rock N Roll Soldiers
Album: The High School Sessions
Rating: 5.0

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: rock-n-roll-soldiers-the-high-school-sessions.zip
  • MP3 size: 58 mb
  • FLAC size: 410 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Dead Man's March
Shut Your Eyes
Dead Mans March
Lay Down And Die
Lay Down and Die
Three Goddamns
Soldier's Fortune
Soldier's Fortune
Can't Break That Glass
Can't Break That Glass

Images

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Catalog Numbers

RPM059

Labels

Gearhead Records

Listen online

  • online anhören
  • ouvir online
  • online luisteren
  • ascolta in linea
  • escuchar en línea
  • kuunnella verkossa
  • lytte på nettet
  • lyssna på nätet
  • écouter en ligne

Formats

  • Vinyl
  • 12"
  • EP
  • Yellow

Companies

RoleCompany
Recorded AtTiki Town
Mastered AtDigiPrep
Phonographic Copyright (p)Atlantic Recording Corporation
Copyright (c)Atlantic Recording Corporation

Credits

RoleCredit
BassEvan Sernoffsky
DrumsOliver Brown
EngineerKent Matcke, Tom Luekens
GuitarLuc Gunn
Mastered ByDave Schultz
ProducerScott Mathews
VocalsMarty Larson-Xu
Written-ByMarty Larson-Xu

Notes

  • Xu Crue owns You Music (BMI)/Songs of Windswept Pacific (BMI)
  • The High School Sessions (recorded in 2001)
  • Produced by Scott Mathews
  • Engineered by Tom Luekens and Kent Matcke
  • and assisted by Jon Robin
  • Recorded at Tiki Town in Mill Valley, California
  • Mastered at Digiprep Mastering in
  • Hollywood, CA by Dave Schultz
  • Management - Beverly Martel Music, LA, CA
  • Booking - Pinnacle Entertainment
  • (914 686 7100)
  • Thanks to our family and friends, everyone
  • in Eugene, Business Jesus and The Blimp,
  • The Hunches, The New Bomb Turks, Kill Radio,
  • Ice Money, Monkee Torture, Wowhall,
  • KWVA, Worlds End, Paul Sommerstein,
  • Pinnacle, Gearhead Records, Pure Volume
  • Design - Ralph! Photos - Paul O'Walle
  • Band Photo - Angela Martin
  • (P) & (C) 2005 Atlantic Recording Corporation
  • under exclusive license to Gearhead Records
  • rnrsoldiers.com gearheadrecords.com

Barcodes

Barcode: 698715005917

About Rock N Roll Soldiers

Indie rock/garage punk band from Eugene, Oregon, formed in 1997. The band is on hiatus. Members: Marty Larson-Xu - guitar, vocals Oliver Brown - drums Evan Sernoffsky - bass Lucas Gunn - rhythm guitar, backing vocals Previous members: Jeremy Briggs - bass Quinn Brown - lead guitar Kevin Sciou - - rhythm guitar

Name Vars

  • Rock 'N' Roll Soldiers
  • Rock N' Roll Soldiers

Members

  • Lucas Gunn
  • Oliver Brown
  • Evan Sernoffsky
  • Marty Larson-Xu
  • Kevin Sciou

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s a cool fact: The album *The High School Sessions* by Rock N Roll Soldiers has two tracks with slightly different titles but are actually the same songs. For example, "Dead Man's March" and "Dead Mans March" appear to be duplicates, as do "Can't Break That Glass" and "Can't Break That Glass." It’s like they snuck in a little Easter egg for fans paying close attention! The album came out in 2005 under Gearhead Records and blends Alternative/Indie Rock vibes with raw energy. Plus, it’s got some serious indie cred with Marty Larson-Xu handling vocals, songwriting, and even co-producing.