Red Innocence and Instinct |
|
 | Tracklist:
1. Canto III (Intro)
2. Fight Inside
3. Death of Me
4. Mystery of You
5. Start Again
6. Never Be the Same
7. Confession (What's Inside My Head)
8. Shadows
9. Ordinary World
10. Out from Under
11. Take It All Away
Bonus:
12. Overtake You
13. Forever
14. Nothing and Everything
| Ranking: #26 for 2009 | |
| | other reviews | mizzinineman (5)
With Innocence and Instinct, Red have crafted the most important Christian, maybe even secular, albu... | Jared P. EMERITUS (4.5)
Red refine and smooth out their sound for the superb mainstream rock offering, Innocence and Instinc... | Trey Spencer STAFF (4)
No sophomore slump here as the band begin to find their own sound.... | Probably the last mimsy (3.5)
Though it will not sway its detractors, Innocence and Instinct evolves Red into a solid rock band.... |
On 22 Lists
|
| Summary: Red take the best parts of their first release and Start Again. |
4 of 4 thought this review was well written
Red’s 2006 debut End of Silence was a large disappointment to me. It wasn’t because I disliked the Linkin Park-esque sound; the brutal, distorted guitar riffs, the strained and screaming vocals and the surprising inclusion of violins. No, it was because there were hints of greatness in this band but in the end, it didn’t coalesce. Amazing aural moments were broadly interspersed amongst a dull sea of non-moments. Songs such as the opener “Breathe Into Me”, “Let Go” and “Pieces” were breathtaking, passionate nu-metal numbers executed with a style normally reserved for a band with more experience and knowledge than what’s normally contained on a freshman album. That in itself should be cause to stand up and take notice, but it’s because these songs were such standouts from the rest of the track list that End of Silence, while being the band’s first album, could’ve been so much more. Many of the later tracks seem to imitate each other, making the remainder of the release somewhat of a disinterested chore to grind through.
How fortunate I was to learn that Red ostensibly noticed this flaw and distributed Innocence and Instinct. Everything that made End of Silence so involving and engaging was pronounced and given the utmost attention in almost every song. The result is a smooth, cohesive 56 minute nu-metal/hard rock banquet (including the three extra songs) that rarely lets up or disappoints.
Something that became instantly apparent upon listening to Innocence and Instinct is the presence of the strings section. While they were indeed included on End of Silence and perhaps a reason why Red stood out, a greater focus has been placed on them the second time around. They merge and intertwine with the rest of the band as if they were a natural extension of the nu-metal sound, where in many other bands they are used simply as a pleasant but unfocused sonic layer. Songs like “Start Again”, “Never Be The Same” and bonus track “Forever” catalogue this perfectly. The resulting product becomes a deeper, intricate affair than that if they were absent and is certainly a trait that distinguishes Red from its (dwindling number of) contemporaries. This hasn’t come at the expense of the rest of the band, thankfully. The pronounced guitars in “Shadows” and “Confession (What’s Inside My Head)” steal the spotlight from the violins and supercharge weighty, distorted riffs upon a thudding drum line.
Michael Barnes’ voice has also been further refined and built upon from his previously stellar effort on End of Silence. The edgy, gritty screaming in tracks like “Death of Me” and “Confession (What’s Inside My Head)” are engrossing and immediate, while “Mystery of You” and “Ordinary World” showcase his wonderful melodic quality that brings a beautiful contrast to the heavier vibe of the album. Unfortunately there’s nothing quite as haunting as the first album’s “Pieces” but “Never Be The Same” and “Take It All Away” are fantastic compensation. Barnes can also send his vocals soaring in impossibly catchy instances during the bridges of “Start Again” and “Mystery of You” while forging the irritatingly indelible chorus of “Shadows.”
Lyrically things are pretty similar. Staying true to the tenets of nu-metal, the same themes of hopeful pessimism and resolve through hardships are the basis of almost all songs, but it suits the tone and style of the songs. While they are often categorised as a Christian band, nothing in the wording of any song is uniquely applied to spirituality (although much of it certainly can be), so if preachy lyrics are an issue for you, there’s no need to be concerned.
Overall, if you found Red’s End of Silence to be well executed symphonic nu-metal, there is no way you could possibly dislike this. Every aspect of End of Silence has been tightened and polished to a mirror finish, with arguably little filler. They’re one of the few bands left that carry on the torch of nu-metal/hard rock while remaining invariably a treat to listen to. All in all, Red takes the best parts of their first release and Start Again.
|
| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 4
I promise I'll do a review that has a score lower than 2.5.
I was initially going to give this a 3.5, but repeated listens convinced me otherwise.
| | |
Italic doesn't work in the summary. Good review.
Digging: Walknut - Graveforests And Their Shadows Digging: Walknut - Graveforests And Their Shadows
| | | Album Rating: 4
Dang. Changed.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Nice review, I'm just waiting for Feb 1st to post my review of UWHF...
| | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
Good review, pos. Love this album.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
This album is how Red should've stayed fuck until we haves faces.
Digging: Rush - Hemispheres | | |
Very nice review. I haven't read or seen much of your other work, but I will start now. Pos'd
Digging: mewithoutYou - Ten Stories Digging: mewithoutYou - Ten Stories
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
great review. pretty much nails this album. posd
fight inside is amazing
Digging: mewithoutYou - Ten Stories Digging: mewithoutYou - Ten Stories | | | Album Rating: 5
wow great review but you didn't even mention Fight Inside, easily the best on that album, can't wait for the new one.
Digging: The Dead Weather - Sea of Cowards Digging: The Dead Weather - Sea of Cowards | | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
Fight Inside is the most instant track but doesn't have much lasting appeal and is one of the worse tracks IMO.
| | | Album Rating: 4
Ha, I did originally note Fight Inside, but it was part of the review that I ended up deleting. It is pretty good, but I mostly agree with the surprised owl.
Thanks for all the kind words all.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Overtake You is the most played song on my ipod
Shadows, Overtake You, Fight Inside are slightly better than the rest of the album.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
but I mostly agree with the surprised owl.
O RLY?
| | | Album Rating: 4
I see what you did there.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
my avatar > yours
| | | Album Rating: 4
HOW COULD YOU
| | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
I needed to show you your avatar's true power which you where neglecting.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
there is only enough room in sputnik for one megaman....
| | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
obviously not
| | |
nice review mate.posd.Somehow 'never be the same' tune has latched on to me and seem to never let go.even despite the fact that lyrics arnt any good.it sort of fills in on the vibe that the song sets though.
| | | |
|
|
Stumble
Digg
Twitter
Del.icio.us
