Rick Shaffer – “Pleasure” (from Rites & Stories)

A raw and hypnotic cut from an album that lives on the edge

Veteran guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist Rick Shaffer returns with his thirteenth solo album Rites & Stories—a sprawling and fearless record that continues the sonic journey he has been carving over the years. Known for his unfiltered garage-blues roots and a deep love of gritty rock minimalism, Shaffer once again pushes boundaries with an album that fuses the primal with the experimental. Among the standout tracks on this release is “Pleasure,” a menacing mid-tempo storm that captures the very heart of the album’s atmosphere.

The Album Concept

Rites & Stories carries a dual focus. The “Rites” reflect Shaffer’s ongoing exploration of raw guitar tones, atmospheric layers, and stripped-back rhythmic assault. It’s music born of instinct—performed as much as it is conjured. The “Stories,” on the other hand, provide the lyrical backbone, offering narratives full of decadence, bad decisions, existential doubt, and the human drive toward both destruction and redemption.

The record as a whole leans into the Berlin-period influence of Iggy Pop and David Bowie, but filters that legacy through Shaffer’s own brand of proto-garage urgency. Across ten tracks, the album hits like a fever dream: part psychedelic atmosphere, part snarling rock and roll.

A Deep Dive into “Pleasure”

“Pleasure” emerges as one of the darker, more hypnotic tracks on the album. Driven by a steady, mid-tempo beat, the song wastes no time setting its tone. Jagged guitar riffs cut through the mix, laced with a glassy, almost eerie shimmer that haunts every bar. There is a tension here—restless, slightly dangerous—that never quite resolves, keeping the listener suspended.

Thematically, “Pleasure” digs into temptation and consequence. It evokes that moment where indulgence blurs into regret, where late-night thrills collide with the sobering reality of what follows. While the lyrics themselves are minimalistic, the delivery is everything: Shaffer’s voice, soaked in grit and urgency, feels desperate yet controlled, like someone confessing through clenched teeth.

His vocal approach is striking. There’s a primal quality to it, a raspy immediacy that makes every word feel carved out of emotion. It’s easy to imagine “Pleasure” being performed in a dimly lit club, the floor sticky, the amps humming, as the singer leans into the mic with absolute intensity.

Sound and Atmosphere

One of the strengths of “Pleasure” is how it balances chaos and space. While the guitar lines are fragmented and abrasive, they are carefully placed, leaving room for the rhythm section to breathe. The bass line rolls forward like an undertow, while the percussion drives the track with an insistent, unrelenting pulse.

The production keeps everything raw and direct. This isn’t an overproduced rock song; it thrives on texture and imperfections, creating an atmosphere that feels both intimate and dangerous. It’s the kind of track that pulls you inward even as it pushes forward.

How It Fits in Rites & Stories

Where tracks like “Standing In The Shadow” and “Run To It” surge forward with sharper riffs and a sense of urgency, “Pleasure” sits in the darker center of the album. Along with songs like “True Religion” and “Dark Disguise,” it shapes the moody, introspective midsection of the record. These tracks explore the aftermath of decisions—the hangover after the high, the whispered self-reflection after the chaos.

By the time the album transitions into the more percussive attack of “Pressure Point” and “Get It Wrong,” “Pleasure” has already left its mark: an uneasy shadow that lingers long after it ends.

Final Thoughts

With “Pleasure,” Rick Shaffer once again proves why his music resonates with those who crave something more from modern rock—a willingness to experiment while staying connected to the raw nerve of the genre. It’s a track that brims with emotion, texture, and a dangerous edge.

For listeners who enjoy gritty proto-garage rock with a hypnotic twist, “Pleasure” is essential. It’s not polished, it’s not safe—and that’s exactly why it works.

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