Review Summary: Red refine and smooth out their sound for the superb mainstream rock offering, Innocence and Instinct.
Red is a Christian hard rock band that first came onto the scene with 2006's
End the Silence. From the onset the band was a hit with the Christian scene and they steadily began to pick up speed in the secular market as well; singles like "Breathe Into Me", "Let Go", and "Already Over" became very popular in the two years that followed the debut's release. In the latter part of 2008 the band returned to the studio to make
Innocence and Instinct, a continuation and refinement of the band's blend of orchestrated hard rock first found on their debut.
Red's overall sound is a relatively new and refreshing for the mainstream. The music is best described as a mixture of distorted and simple guitar riffs accented with drums and layers of strings playing in the background; all of which play a comfortable second fiddle to Michael Barnes vocal chords that soar and brood amongst the mix. Barnes' voice is best described as sort of a Pete Loeffler--Chevelle--and Benjamin Burley--Breaking Benjamin--hybrid. As an added plus, Michael turns out to be quite capable when it comes to carrying the songs throughout the album's course, with all emotions intact.
Lead Christian single and opener "Fight Inside" showcases what the listener can come to expect from the band on this album. Digitalized keyboards and strings begin the track before the band launches into the mix with a pounding guitar riff. The verse slows things down a bit before the song picks back up with urgency again in the chorus. Barnes sings of an internal struggle within himself, a pleasant deviation from the standard “me against you” agenda that seemed to be so prevalent in much of the band's lyrics found on
End of Silence. First mainstream single "Death of Me" is a really passionate and exhilarating highlight as well, featuring a riff that the listener can't help but nod their head to. The album slows down on fourth and fifth tracks "Start Again" and "Never be the Same", the latter of which features an acoustic guitar and is just begging to be released as a single.
Speaking of possible singles, "Mystery of You" and "Shadows" anxiously sit in wait and are practically screaming at the band's record label for attention--"Shadows" is co-written by Benjamin Burley as well. Knowing Breaking Benjamin's frontman's reputation for anthem-like hook, it's no surprise that the song carries the album's strongest chorus. The song has that rare aspect where it immediately grabs the listener on first listen; however, instead of tapering off when over-played, "Shadows" only increases in character and urgency as the months go by. The song carries the general theme of inner personal struggles once more. As many here probably know, Red covers "Ordinary World" by Duran Duran on this album. The cover is competent and well done; however, the band might have opted to include this song as one of the bonus tracks featured in the deluxe edition instead--doing this, they could have then placed either "Overtake You" or "Forever" in the cover's original place in the tracklisting; both of these bonus tracks are exceptional and really deserve a place on the album.
Album closer "Take it All Away"
Innocence and Instinct on a possitive note. A somber piano and a ticking clock-like percussion finds Michael crying out to God--or some significant “other” depending on the listener's interpretation. Slowly the song builds and builds before climaxing into a wall of guitars and strings as Michael begs for release from his inner turmoil and pain. A classic buld to climax case, true, but it works quite nicely.
Innocence and Instinct is a consistent and pleasing record, offering up something a little different and passionate for the common mainstream rock listener. The inclusion of the orchestrated sections and Barne's vocals really go a long way to show the emotional intent of the songs; this effect works to create a more authentic and genuine listening experience in the process. My only real complaint with this record, or the band in general for that matter, is the somewhat simple guitar sections that seem to depend solely on distortion to get by. Given the fact that the band has two guitarists, one might expect Jason and Richard to step it up a bit and offer a few varied leads or even a solo here and there. This little point aside,
Innocence and Instinct is a superb mainstream release that actually shows that Christian bands can thrive and make relevant music without compromising their integrity or faith in the process. If Red continues to progress as they have done here, it's safe to say that the band's next release will further cement them with the likes of Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, and Linkin Park as leaders in the mainstream rock genre.
