the redwalls - de nova
this is the debut album from this chicago four piece that have obviously friends in high places. i suspect that they are in for a rough ride. they look very young and cute on the cover, and they are obviously fans of oasis. in fact, there are so many oasis connections both stylistically and sonically that it's beyond belief at times, especially considering the fact that the band consists of brothers logan and justin baren and that they have toured with the mancs recently. from the cover photos alone you just know how the band are going to sound. haircuts a la steve marriot/rod stewart circa 1972, suits, cigarettes drooping all nonchalantly.
oh yes. it's dadrock done usa style.
so that's set the scene for a right slating on many fronts i guess?
bloody good job the songs are cracking then. i will admit to playing spot the joins between oasis-trex-rod stewart via rolling stones and bob dylan, but it's done with such panache, youthful innocence, and downright cheek that when the opening of 'robinson crusoe' glammed up licks kick in, and the honking rock-roll sax adds to the funk you cant help but crack a grin and yell out "ya cheeky b*stards!". the great fun 70's bluesy riff propels the album off to an excellent start, which is followed by the fcc bating 'falling down', the reason for the 'parental advisory' warning on the cover. the boys are young, they want to cut loose, and subsequently, they wanna swear on their first album. i aint complaining.
throughout the 13 track, 45 minute album, the combination of powered up riffs, strong melodies, catchy choruses, all rounded off with a wonderfully sympathetic production from rob schnapf (the vines), plays up to the bands strengths. there are no obvious protool'd up sounds, no large sonic trickery, just the not-so usual ingredients for 2005 of simply strummed acoustic guitars, electric guitars, hammond organs, bass, subtle strings, and the well placed electric piano. highlights are scattered all over the place, from the beatles styled sing-along of 'build a bridge', the 70's aor vibe of 'hung up on the way i'm feeling', or the 70's classic riff heavy beasts that are 'on my way', 'it's alright', through to the the blatant oasis ripoff that is 'front page'.
thankfully, with each song having a hook as big as one needed to catch that elusive great white then all negatives are cast aside, thus making it far too easy to enjoy this album whether you think you should or not. admittedly, this may be perfect 'the oc' soundtrack fodder, but cast the snobbery aside and just let this rip a hole in your playlist - well for a few weeks anyway.