“‘The Real America (S.O.S.)’ is a song that I hope will inspire thought and conversation- even debate,” Rob Huddleston tells us. “At face value ,one could react feeling that the America we’ve all witnessed over the last several years is in fact the REAL America, but the idea here is simply that the America we live in has not yet become what it originally set out to be – a land free of persecution and based on freedom and equality for all. We simply aren’t that, at least not yet, and that is what’s at the heart of the song.”

 

 

The album was recorded in Richmond, VA at Audio Verité studios June 2021-Dec 2021 and was produced by singer/guitarist Rob Huddleston, engineered and mixed by the band’s guitarist Pedro Aida, and mastered by long time friend and former Lookout! Records labelmate Mass Giorgini (Screeching Weasel, Common Rider, Squirtgun) at Sonic Iguana Studio in Lafayette, IN. 

 

The band’s recently released Old Scars, New Blood in 2018 – a “best of” rerecording of classic Ann Beretta songs spanning each of their albums and EPs, however, Rise is the first album of new material since 2003’s Three Chord Revolution. 

 

 

There is no label attached to this release – it is 100% self-funded and DIY with the band taking full control of every aspect of making and releasing it. Lyrically, Rise reflects on a range of social and political topics including the Trump presidency, the Covid pandemic, racism, addiction, and reflecting back on the band’s history in the third single titled “The Last Song.” Sonically ,the album is more complex and layered than past recordings, but still with the anthemic hooks and energy that fans of the band have come to love and expect.

 

In other good news for longtime Ann Beretta fans, the band’s full catalog is now available on streaming services, and includes the addition of two previously unreleased live albums Live from the Broadberry (acoustic) and Live from CBGB’s.