Top 10 Album Of 2009
Posted January 04, 2010
By KevinMcNeese_NRT, Staff Reviewer
The "sophomore slump" is more than just a phrase. It's a reality that many bands face after having years to write and shape their debut release, only to find themselves forced back into the studio months later to record their "much-anticipated" follow-up. Many times, recreating the magic is tough to do and results in a disappointing, and under-performing album. Thankfully, the Grammy-nominated rock act, Red, took one giant leap over this common hurdle, releasing one of the best albums of the year in the midst of massive competition in the Christian rock genre.
The group’s debut, which sold over a quarter-million copies and earned several awards and nominations, focused heavily on personal struggles. Bringing back End Of Silence producer Rob Graves and mixer Ben Grosse (Sevendust, Disturbed, Depeche Mode), Innocence & Instinct goes a giant step further by tackling the fight itself. It’s about the dueling impulses that wage war within our souls.
The band continues to use full orchestra and string arrangements to compliment heavy hitting guitars, strong drums, chest-beating bass and aggressive vocals. It's definitely more melodic than what a group like Skillet is doing, and you get a feeling of what a true rock opera would sound like when listening to songs like "Death Of Me," "Mystery Of You" and "Start Again."
Like any great rock act, the power ballad stands strong, and songs like "Never Be The Same" and the surprising Duran Duran cover of "Ordinary World" are two of the best tracks on the album.
Red has emerged as a powerful player in what has been a huge year for Christian Rock and with their ability to excel at many styles while layering their music with many different instruments, this band is sure to continue to lead the way in the years ahead. View All Music And Book Reviews By KevinMcNeese_NRT | View KevinMcNeese_NRT's Profile
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