“The Rallies are exemplary of everything good about the sound of indie rock & jangle pop in the modern mainstream. In May 2026, their fourth full-length studio effort, No Better Time, hit the shelves and immediately proved to everyone of their dedicated followers that they are not short on creativity. From their debut (a fantastic album) to now, there is blatant evidence of growth and maturity in songwriting, production and performance. Though topping their previous albums was probably no easy feat, we believe they’ve done it with this one. The album portrays an even more dynamic range of sounds and style over the course of the track list than any of their past recordings in our well-versed opinion. There is a conglomerate of upbeat, sun-shiny, jangly pop tunes, heavier chord-driven indie rockers and melodic melancholy masterpieces all interwoven into a perfect song sequence. So far, it is one of the best indie records that we have experienced this year … and you’ll agree.” (Fall 2026 print issue)

"This 4th album [No Better Time] from Seattle’s The Rallies bring plenty of bouncy, upbeat and pop fun to these 11 lively tunes. “This Time” opens with Steve Davis’ warm guitar and bright vocals before Lee Brown’s thumping drums enter the power-pop delivery, and “I Believe” follows with a scrappy mood that’s got an animated spirit and benefits from Ben Heege’s playful voice amid the vocal harmonies. “Be With You” arrives in the middle and brings a jangle to the melodies, while “Open Your Mind” is a soft moment with a dreamy appeal that flirts with folk ideas. Coming In Later, “You Set Me Free”, the best tracks offers an anthemic bout with sing-alongs & sharp, indie-pop charm via Brian Chase’s meticulous guitar playing, and “If Only” exits with an intimate mood thanks to the cozy acoustic guitar, keys & multiple singers. An album that is instantly memorable from the get go, The Rallies know their way around a melodic and harmonic tune that you won’t soon forget.”

“THE RALLIES – No Better Time: When some musicians try to access the ’60s innocence, the results of such attempts seem quite stylized, albeit unnatural, yet this quartet tap into that era without ever sounding retro and while there’s nothing groundbreaking about the ensemble’s knack for bringing perennial sentiments like “All you need is love” to the present, it takes a lot of verve to keep those from being banal. Relatable to a fault, the eleven songs on the band’s fourth album hark back to the halcyon days of unpretentious pop-rock usually associated with British artists, rather than the gloomy West Coast idealism of the past, but the foursome don’t reach for the comfort of false nostalgia. Instead, they focus on the here and now, as well as the future, and though lesser mortals may find titling a catchy, richly textured piece “Love” rather daunting, the Washingtonians feel confident they can convey a universal message and demonstrate, simultaneously, panache and reserve.”

“Album Reviews: Seattle’s power pop quartet The Rallies discuss new album. The Rallies are comprised of Steve Davis on vocals and guitar, Brian Chase on guitar and vocals, Ben Heege on bass and vocals, and Lee Brown on drums and vocals. The Seattle power pop quartet just released their latest album, No Better Time, produced by Johnny Sangster, known for his work with Mudhoney, The Posies, and more. Goldmine discussed a half dozen songs from the new album with the entire band.”
“Comes and Goes” has a ‘60s sound with a Herman’s Hermits-like bounce in the verses & a vocal range in the bridge recalling The Turtles. Brian Chase told Goldmine, “We were going for something bouncy with our rhythm section, which carries throughout the song. When we play this song live, the audiences groove on it right away.” Steve Davis added, “When I was writing this song, The Lovin’ Spoonful’s ‘Do You Believe in Magic’ was an inspiration.”

“Seattle’s The Rallies deliver an effortlessly melodic sound that balances warmth & energy without it feeling too lightweight. Opening track “This Time” is packed with hooks and instantly memorable, while “I Believe” builds on that momentum with an uplifting message abd added guitar punch. The band’s sound recalls the melodic craftsmanship of Squeeze, The La’s, & even a touch of Deadeye Dick. “Comes And Goes” is a great example; a slow building simple verse that leads to an irresistible “la la la” chorus. Produced by Johnny Sangster at Crackle & Pop, the album showcases a cohesive performance from Steve Davis, Lee Brown, Ben Heege, abd Brian Chase. The album’s second half leans into its ’60s-inspired jangle, with the rich harmonies of “Love” and the Monkees-inspired “You Set Me Free.” Additional highlights include the minor-key gem “Be With You” & the self-assured “Not So Much Anymore.” The Rallies never stray far from a strong melody, I highly recommend.”

“The Rallies - No Better Time: Seattle’s music scene. I’ve never experienced it in person, and of course I lived through its biggest attention moment, but you can’t just hang your cities’ hat on the 90s, and a band like The Rallies solidifies why I want to visit the music of this city in person once my daughters find their way to careers and vacate our house. Of course I’ve visited Nashville, & they’ve got their stereotype battle way under control (in fact going be back their for a wedding and Jack White), but I’m very anxious to get into the small venue scenes there to discover bands like this one that are a far cry from the grunge and alternative of the forefathers of the Seattle music explosion. This is not a Mutt Lange special here, either. This is jangle-paced pop-rock done with some very accessible hooks and melodies that range in generations of even the 90s back to the 60s. No Better Time is the truth and The Rallies, per their social media request, hooked me into this lovely record.”

“Seattle is best known for grunge. Most of the best known and best loved grunge bands came from there, or from the Pacific Northwest, more generally. No one associates Seattle with power pop. Yet, here we are. The Rallies, from neighboring Tacoma, Washington, are a longstanding power pop band, and No Better Time is their fourth full-length LP. It’s chock-filled with wonderfully jangly power pop music. The pretty guitar tone in the leads brings waves of nostalgia, with a cool 60s British Invasion vibe, and the gorgeous vocal harmonies and melodies invoke memories of classic power pop of the late 70s and early 80s. As soon as you start the first song, “This Time,” you get hit with that lovely jangle. Unlike a lot of power pop, the song isn’t overly amped up; it has a nice, easy, relaxed vibe. It’s like combining 60s pop with the easy vibe of Tom Petty tunes of the 80s and maybe with a bit of The Posies, too. I like, too, the bouncy and bright “I Believe,” which follows.”

“The Rallies are a ‘feel good’ band who know how to wield jangly guitars & harmony vocals to good effect. No Better Time confirms this with plenty of soaring, uplifting tunes. Opening cut “This Time” lays out the Rallies musical formula with sparkling guitar lines & layers of gorgeous vocals. “I Believe” is the hooky radio-ready single, taking off with a great singalong swing. You can practically feel “Comes And Goes” has a buoyant skip to its step. This is an album oozing positivity while giving nods to a number of rock & roll’s glorious forebears. “Be With You” has got some great Beatlesque changes in the song structure. “Notice Me” is practically propelled forward by the jangle guitar work. “You Set Me Free” adds an element of sixties Monkees-in-garage mode to the band’s sonic mix. “Not So Much Anymore” is another strong power pop entry, with a killer organ underlay. LP closer “If Only” strips it back to essence of The Rallies, a basic accompaniment & the band’s riveting, plaintive vocals. Trust me, No Better Time is the shot in the arm you’ve been looking for."

“No Better Time : The Rallies - This is the time of year when schools are setting free their 16 and 18 year olds to take 'study' leave for their school exams. In the next couple of months they'll have the results and the future is theirs. They won't know it yet, but 'No Better Time' is the soundtrack for this part of their lives. They won't know it because it's not until you're looking back from middle age that you remember the thrill of standing on the edge of unknown opportunities and the unwavering optimism of that time in your life. That's all captured in the sound of The Rallies. They wrapTom Petty-esque harmonies up in clothes of jangling American power pop. It calls up the feel of the 60s without sounding dated. It's the same trick used by the Cosmic Rough Riders and Camera Obscura on their last album.
The Rallies' secret is that they don't play like four individuals who have just met, but as a band that instinctively supports and covers each other, reinforcing strengths and bringing out the best in each other.  Put simply, this is a very good, pure pop album.”

“The Rallies have come up with an album full of songs that continues in the fashion of 1960s and 1970s pop. A bit of Beatles, a bit of Raspberries, a bit of Big Star, mix it all together and you get The Rallies. Their songs are still original and have their own distinct sound, but they clearly are influenced by that genre of music. The beauty is that they do it so well. The steady rhythm of guitars, the strong backing vocals and the catchy melodies. It is an album that invites you in and creates a world of sunshine and all good things. And there are surprises, such as “Comes And Goes,” where the opening brings to mind Roxy Music’s “The Bogus Man” with the opening bass riff, but it quickly shifts. “Open Your Mind” is a short excursion into psychedelic rock and splits the album perfectly. The first half of the album is the ‘honeymoon phase’ of a relationship, while the second half is more about the struggles and complexities, while remaining optimistic. The closing track, “If Only,” is a beautiful and wistful song that brings everything together. It is a perfect closing song.”

“No Better Time by The Rallies is a sparkling burst of jangle pop and a very worthy follow up to the 2023’s top power-pop album of the year, It Must Be Love. The Seattle band’s latest full-length delivers 11 tracks of pure melodic sunshine drenched in chiming guitars, irresistible hooks, and those signature lush, intoxicating harmonies that have become their calling card. The album feels like a celebration of life in the here and now, capturing the beauty of everyday life. And the melodies sticks with you like those fabulous Brill Building tunes of yesteryear. The production is crisp and vibrant, letting the guitars ring out. It’s music for road trips, golden-hour drives, and those rare days when everything just clicks. The Rallies remind us there’s no better time than right now to crank up the volume and let the melodies lift you. Infectious, heartfelt, and endlessly replayable, this album is a must-listen for fans of The Byrds, The Beatles, Tom Petty, Teenage Fanclub, or anyone who believes a great hook can make everything better.”