RED [Until We Have Faces]
Posted January 24, 2011
By KevinDavis_NRT, Staff Reviewer
Essential Records' two time GRAMMY-nominated hard rock outfit RED packs a potent sonic punch on its third project, Until We Have Faces, a record that leaps out of the speakers with a ferocity and complexity reflecting the band's growth and intensity. From the opening seconds of "Feed The Machine" through the final, contemplative moments of "Hymn For The Missing," the four-man unit of vocalist Michael Barnes, guitarist Anthony Armstrong, bassist Randy Armstrong and drummer Joe Rickard shows both maturity and abandon can coexist within the various dimensions of rock RED inhabits. I’m truly a fan of this band now. Since getting hooked by the amazing music and excellent vocals by Mike Barnes, I’ve had some time to listen more closely to the themes of all three albums. “Breathe Into Me,” “Already Over,” “Lost,” “Fight Inside” and “Death Of Me” are such intense rock songs, I didn’t think RED could possibly have another level, however the opening guitar hook and Michael’s scream to kick off “Feed The Machine” proved me wrong. The chorus has me totally captivated: “We fall in line, we live the lie, Give up, give up and feed the machine.” Even if you don’t normally listen to hard rock albums, the artistic nature of these songs draws you in and elicits an emotional response. As hard as “Feed The Machine” starts, it ends with a soft choral and orchestral arrangement that just calms you. This excellent rock album totally brings the perfect package of heavy rock guitars and the emotive vocal punch and gorgeous strings found in the two previous RED albums.
The new album's overarching theme is a search for true identity, inspired by a number of sources, including author C.S. Lewis' book of similar title, Till We Have Faces. The band itself is working through its own new identity - as a four-piece with the addition of drummer Rickard. Until We Have Faces takes listeners down the path of recognizing the hollowness of life until finding their true identity on first single "Faceless," which has quickly become my all-time favorite song by this incredible band. I’ve been constantly singing the chorus, “I’m not, I’m not myself, Feel like I’m someone else, Fallen and faceless, So hollow, hollow inside, A part of me is dead, Need You to live again, Can you replace this? I’m hollow, hollow and faceless.” “Lie To Me (Denial)” keeps the rock flow going and the theme of this album is very cohesive as the songs all point to the concept of finding our true identity. The idea of creative destruction unveiled in the midst of new life is found on "Let It Burn," and simultaneously presenting the positive energy found even "in a world so cold" is explored on the infectious, melodic ballad "Not Alone." These are truly some of the deepest rock songs I’ve ever heard as they all challenge me and I can’t wait to see the band perform these new songs in concert, especially the rock anthem “Who We Are,” which has one of the best guitar parts I’ve ever heard. “Hymn For The Missing” is the incredible closing song which is a wonderful ballad and reminds me of “Pieces” from End Of Silence and “Take It All Away” from Innocence & Instinct. The song accentuates Michael’s tender vocals and features new artist Kerrie Roberts singing a gorgeous harmony at the end of the song. Paired again with award-winning producer Rob Graves, Until We Have Faces features RED in its most musically intense place to date.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
I am so impressed by the music and production mingling the harder rock guitars, soft strings and the emotive vocals of Mike Barnes, I even enjoy the ‘screaming’ in the harder songs “Feed The Machine” and “The Outside.” The messages throughout many of the songs are very positive and although RED has had mainstream success, I don’t question the spiritual seeking nature of the lyrics, which are naturally much more Christ-centered than mainstream metal bands like Linkin Park that many have accurately compared to RED. To me, the stand-out songs are “Feed The Machine,” “Faceless,” “Lie To Me (Denial),” "Let It Burn," “Not Alone,” “Who We Are” and the epic closing song “Hymn For The Missing.” This album firmly establishes RED as the premier rock band in all of Christian music. If you like Pillar, Breaking Benjamin and Linkin Park, then you’ll enjoy RED. Until We Have Faces is the crowning achievement by this incredible rock band and will certainly be among my top albums of 2011. View All Music And Book Reviews By KevinDavis_NRT | View KevinDavis_NRT's Profile
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