Review: Red – ‘Innocence and Instinct’
Posted: February 10th, 2008
Contributed By: Nick
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Purchase @ Amazon.com Release Date: February 10th, 2009 via Essential |
| Red is: Michael Barnes (Vocals) Anthony Armstrong (Guitar) Jasen Rauch (Guitar) Randy Armstrong (Bass) |
Overview: Out of Nashville, Tennessee comes Christian rock band Red. The group initially got together in 2004 and from there the ball got rolling-and quickly. Because two years after the guys first shook hands, they were signed to Sony/BMG’s Essential imprint on which their debut record ‘End of Silence‘ was released in June 2006. Thanks to relentless touring, chart-topping success on Christian radio, and a pair of breakthrough hits, “Breathe Into Me” and “Let Go”, on active rock radio, ‘End of Silence‘ surpassed 150,000 in sales. As a reward, Red decided to trade in their tour van for a shiny, new bus. In route to pick up their new vehicle however, the band suffered a horrendous accident, flipping their van and nearly perishing. Despite the incident, Red wasted no time picking up the pieces, returning to the studio with ‘End of Silence‘ producer Rob Graves to begin tracking album number two. On February 10, Red’s sophomore effort ‘Innocence & Instinct‘ hits stores. The band made the record books when the track “Fight Inside” debuted atop Christian rock charts. Listen for current single “Death of Me” at active rock outlets everywhere.
The Good: Mmm, mmm, good. No, I’m not talking about canned soup products, I’m talking ’bout ‘Innocence & Instinct‘. First up is “Fight Inside”, a song built on a hammering riff, ambient verses, super smooth choruses, and an incinerating bridge that ultimately brings the tune’s strongest points full circle. The eerie build-up of “Death of Me” leads into a fiery 6/8 ride, where string accompaniments wrapped around the guitars add heaps of warmth. The whimsical “Mystery of You” is atmospheric and soaring, sporting immediately catchy windswept choruses. From 3:18 to finish, “Mystery of You” is awesome, taking the chorus’ hook and laying it over the song’s initial riff; the repeatability level of “Mystery of You” is immeasurable. “Start Again” walks poised across a tightrope between haunting and harmonious, and its big, bright chorus adds even more to the performance. Impassioned and soulful, “Never Be The Same” boasts the lyrics …you’re the only voice my heart can recognize/But I can hear you now, the standout line from a poetically genius tune. Bolstered by thick, caressing choruses and an ending that echoes the same amount of wistful passion which started it all, “Never Be The Same” will surely latch onto your heartstrings. Opening with a battery of crunchy riffs and astute cymbal work by studio drummer Travis Palmer is “Confession”, where front-man Michael Barnes injects just a touch of angst into his delivery to make a hell of a difference. The ass of the song’s chorus is nasty, a blessed dichotomy of surging guitars and an orchestra straight from a Broadway musical. Red teamed up with Breaking Benjamin brainchild Ben Burnley to write “Shadows”. If Spineshank and Linkin Park fornicated, “Shadows” is what their offspring would sound like. From rumbling, down-tuned guitars, to sensitive, melody-laden verses and choruses, to a ferocious breakdown, “Shadows” will quench your thirst for both ‘Self-Destructive Pattern‘ and ‘Meteora‘. Red offer a heartfelt and genuine rendition of the Duran Duran classic “Ordinary World”. The band adds a wealth of body to the tune by simply waiting until the second verse to implement the layer of acoustic guitars, while Travis Palmer adds to the plan by staying on the crash and driving the song home. “Out From Under” will rip you a new one, a punishing and vengeful diatribe that is still attentive to detail and progression. “Out From Under” ventures down a whole new path at the 1:55 spot, kicking off a majestic and spirited minute and a half ride; no later than one tick afterwards, Red slices and dices their way through the bloodthirsty remainder of the song. The last call of ‘Innocence & Instinct‘ is “Take It All Away”. Spooky, mysterious, yet with an alert pulse, this enviable opus is bursting with colorful nuances. You will fall in love with the entire progression from 2:50 to 4:05, from the sensually coy approach of vocalist Michael Barnes to the epic crescendo segueing into Red’s grand finale. As “Take It All Away” tapers off into a gentle piano twinkle, you will find yourself completely wowed-not solely because of “Take It All Away” but because of ‘Innocence & Instinct‘ in its entirety.
The Bad: The scant shortcomings of ‘Innocence & Instinct‘ are contained to two songs. “Start Again” is no doubt consistent, but it just doesn’t do anything for me, nor does it compete with its nine fellow peers. “Death of Me” is littered with “oh oh” chants, adding a stench of cheesiness to what is otherwise a pretty song; oh, and the pre-bridge of “Death of Me” is as close to Breaking Benjamin as you’re going to get. Otherwise, ‘Innocence & Instinct‘ is pristine.
Bottomline: I purchased Red’s first record the day it came out, but in all honesty I never really got into it. I figured seeing them live and then revisiting ‘End of Silence‘ would remedy my indifference but sadly this wasn’t the case. While ‘End of Silence‘ collected dust on one of my CD shelves, I started noticing how strong of a following Red had and how excited the fans were about Red and the band’s next album. Thanks to the power of the people and the extremely powerful album that is ‘Innocence & Instinct‘, I’d say I’m officially on board with Red for good.
TuneLab Rating: 9.5 out of 10
22 Comments
Gave this one a 10, because I agree completely, plus I like “Start Again.” “Take It All Away” is fucking epic by the way, one of the best closing tracks ever.
Point on Nick. I’ve had this album for a couple of weeks and it’s already the most played on my itunes. Good running music.
9.5 a bit generous don’t you think???
I would have gave it around a 6.5-7. This isn’t coming from a hater either I love their first album. A 9.5 is an almost perfect album, but in my opinion alot of the songs on this album sounds like they were B-sides from “End Of Silence”. I’m trying not to run it down to much cause it’s not a terrible album, but it’s not an album i will be able to listen to over and over again. If this was switched around, and this was their debut, I really don’t think i would have liked Red as much.
The only stand out tracks on this album for me are “Mystery Of You”,”Shadows”, and “Ordinary World”, and one of them is a cover. “Never Be The Same” has great verses, but the chorus kinda ruins the song for me. Sorry if i’m running it down to much, but that’s how i feel about this album.
Am I the only person that doesn’t see what is so great about this band? Oh well. “To each, his own”
I love this cd, been listening to it all day. i like every song on it and i think it’s pretty damn solid from start to finish. i agree with the review 9.5 out of 10. Shadows is one of the best songs i have heard in a long time. can’t get enough of it. the pounding guitar riffs and melodic chorus are great and the way they blend the two together is perhaps even better.
btw if you havn’t bought the album yet def. pick up the special edition. the piano/acoustic version of fight inside (Nothing and Everything) sounds great. and I also enjoyed overtake you.
This album is superb and just like their first album, offers listeners a chance to hear a truly great band that can belt out tremendous tunes. Wish they would come and play shows here in the UK sometime.
Already one of my favorite albums of all time, I am starting to worry that I am going to play this album out and get sick of it but I doubt that will happen. To answer Thesluhg- yes I think you are– what is there that isn’t great about this band. Good vocals, great riffs, harmony, a little orchestra, they can blow your speakers out and then put you to sleep with the same kind of intensity and brilliance.
The best album I’ve heard in a long, long time. Great review Nick, and you’re closing comments were exactly how I felt for awhile. However, I eventually grew to like “End of Silence” after awhile. I’d say he covers it, the background vocalization of “Death of Me” has always reminded me of Seether’s “Fake It.” In fact I think it’d fit about perfectly if the “Death of Me” “chants” were played right before the “Fake It” guitar solo. But that’s just me, and I also think “Start Again” is great.
Great from start to finish, and the bonus tracks are equally good. One of them, “Forever” may be my favorite on the album, too soon to tell though.
A damn good album, but certainly not as good as their debut, sadly.
Agree with you on pretty much every part Nick. I’d have to go back and see if “start again” similarly doesn’t capture me, I’m not sure. considering I don’t remember it specifically, chances are it didn’t. As for cheesiness, I rarely choose to evaluate on that level; to me, the song is so great that the “oh ohs” actually enhance it, rather than mock it. Love that song to death.
It lacks a bit of the power of the first album, but still amazing. I listen to it almost daily, and when I put on rotations of new cds, this is always one of the chosen. I can’t wait to get home this weekend (where best buys and well stocked walmarts actually exist) so i can get the deluxe edition.
I agree with MattJames ….Some of the songs don’t hit me hard enough and come across like a B-sided song. I’m sure it’s not the easiest thing in the world to write hit songs on the road, but given what they have accomplished in the past 2 years, it’s a solid effort. I would give this album a 7 out of 10 but a 8.5 for what they have achieved in their career thus far. So not bad I guess…
Good review, Nick. I’ve missed them.
Anyways, I agree with your review 99%. I agree w/ Josh on the “oh oh’s” on “Death of Me’” – I like that, it adds another unique element to the song and to me kind of feels almost ‘epic’ to me to end the song the way it does.
Also have to agree w/ Gravity on “Take It All Away” as it is my favorite on the album and feels really epic. Beautiful song to take the regular version of the album out, and of course the 2 bonus tracks and acoustic “Fight Inside” are great. I think “Forever” could have been included in the album, but I kind of feel it doesn’t “fit”, though.
9.5/10 for me as well. Rock on, RED!
Great review. This album is fantastic and a lot more approachable than their debut. “Out From Under” is a heavier sound for them that’s long overdue, and the Duran Duran cover is a keeper too.
By the way, Nick, have you had a chance to hear the new Nural album?
I agree with Nick I would give it a 9.5 because I love Red’s music and although I like their 1st ablum more I still like a lot of songs on ‘Innocence & Instincts’. My favorites are “Death of Me”, “Shadows”, & “Mystery of Me.” I hope they bring out many more great albums.
So i’m pretty sure that this, as of right now, is going into my top 5 albums of 2009. Granted, we’ve still got Breaking Benjamin (please god let it drop this year), Sixx: A.M., possibly LP and Hurt. Oh look, that should round me off quite nicely.
Ever since I purchased this album, I’ve been hooked and been unable to listen to much else. “Death of Me” is absolutely addictive, as is “Mystery Of You”. The whole album is a masterpiece, probably the best I’ve ever heard. Red definitely smashes the sophomore slump with this one. If you buy the deluxe edition, you wont be disappointed, as I think “Forever” may be the best song on their album and their acoustic version of “Fight Inside” is beautiful.
All in all, I cant say enough about this album or this group. Every song grips you and keeps you listening, there wasnt one time when I wanted to skip anything or was questioning something…..Flawless. 10/10.
This is a 10/10 for me .. I love these guys .. i’m so glad I purchased the cd.
The recording is flawless like most of you said and the production and mixing on it is the best I heard in a while. These guys are bringing the hard rock name back!
I have to go and say something about that last song on the deluxe version – everyone calls it a “acoustic version” of Fight Inside, but I really think it’s another “version” of the song they did that’s softer, etc. I say this only because that part where it comes in with the big bass line, that’s definitely not acoustic. Just wanted to speak my opinion on that haha.
Yeah i agree this cd is great and flawless every song is different from the last. Defintely 10/10 for me as well great album.
agree on a 9.50/10.. a great follow up to End Of Silence. did not disappoint me unlike other bands. one of my fave bands. even their bonus tracks are of album material.
I agree with the score without a doubt, musically perfect with a nice change of pace, no sophomore slump here. Awesome Cd