Manchester Punk Festival Releases 37th Compilation
Manchester Punk Festival have released the 37th volume of their compilation series ahead of this year’s festival. Manchester Punk Festival Vol. 37 is…
Album Review: Redd Kross – Beyond The Door
Redd Kross
Beyond The Door - Merge Records
Redd Kross Coming from the ashes of the Tourists who were formed back in 1978, having a revolving door of members over the years with some members all branching off to the likes of Bad Religion, Circle Jerks and Black Flag to name a few, the California based band definitely gained depth of influence.
This being their first offering for a decade, Redd Kross have been missing from the album scene for far too long, has time dulled their zest for music or has it reinvigorated the creative flow?
Made up of original members Jeff & Steven McDonald (Steven taking up the mantel of production/mix on this offering) which is by the way Outstanding!
Then you have Jason Shapiro on guitar and Dale Cover on drums.
Then if this wasn’t enough, you also get input from a who’s who of featured artists with the likes of Anna Waronker (That Dog), Buzz Osbourne (The Melvins) and Kim Shattuck (The Muffs).
Kicking into this albums 11 tracks you are immediately struck with the quality of production, musicianship that only comes from years of playing live to hone skills of this standard which is then transferred into the studio.
Setting the scene for the album is “The Party” which in its title gives you a feel for how the whole album is about to unfold to you and lets you into the mindset of a band that obviously wants to enjoy there music in a way that feels so full of life and enjoyment, as it crawls just over the 2 minute mark this song is packed full of Killer Bass, Drums and magical Guitar backing up this melodic Californian feel party (as the title alludes to).
“Fighting”with its nod to Alt/Rock with foot tapping beats also throws in a pop sound that is help along with female vocal softness backing up the harsh rock lead vocal, works perfectly!
The Title track “Beyond The Door” with its sinister undertones, which if your not familiar with the reasons behind the title may not stand out, but if you think back to the film “Exorcist” this may help, that said, if your not going deep into the psyche of the song then your still treated to some sublime Bass/Piano good old Rock n Roll and a vocal which is so amazing you are before you know it at the end and wondering why so short (skip back and listen again) is a must! Why spoil perfection by over playing it.
“There’s No One Like You” well this is the only song that may give you food for thought on who came first Weezer or Redd Kross? Both fit well on the same bill…
So how do you stop this album from falling into a pit of pop and rock obscurity? You keep the listener on there toes and move into the world of almost Psychodelic Lyrics that are “Ice Cream” a mysterious character called “Fantastico Roberto”. The first giving you switching beats that are strangely pleasing like eating ice cream! The latter being a world of interesting depth of Lyric that has you understanding that this is not just another Rock/Pop album.
Should you be in any doubt your listening to an album that you will go back to over and over and not just drop it into the “ok I’ve heard it now category, this is quickly dispelled as tracks like “The Party Underground” “Whats a Boy To Do’ and “Punk II”. All very different beasts, all full of depth of sound and bringing the album into the realms of a piece of work that will only grow with time and give the music fan a beautiful place to go back to on many occasion.
“Jone Hoople” may be the rockiest song and is then followed by a climax to to an album (yes the right word Climax!) how else can you describe “When Do I Get To Sing” Familiar sounding but yet Fresh and current, 10 years since the last offering and yet this song says “we still have so much to give”
All in all, if you want something new and yet filled with a wealth of life experience, this album stacks up against the best of them.
Throwing you a slice of Musical Cake that leaves you wanting more!
Find The Band Here
Check out The Title Track Video Here
Buy The Album Here
Tour Dates
Oct 02 Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop
Oct 03 Detroit, MI – El Club
Oct 04 Columbus, OH – A&R Music Bar
Oct 05 Pittsburgh, PA – Red Theatre
Oct 07 Syracuse, NY – Westcott Theatre
Oct 08 Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
Oct 09 Hamden, CT – Space Ballroom
Oct 10 Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw
Oct 11 Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony
Oct 12 Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts
Oct 13 Baltimore, MD – Ottobar
Oct 15 Richmond, VA – The Broadberry
Oct 16 Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
Oct 17 Charlotte, NC – Visulite Theatre
Oct 18 Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club
Oct 19 Birmingham, AL – Saturn
Oct 21 Orlando, FL – The Social
Oct 22 Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room
Oct 23 Tampa, FL – The Orpheum
Oct 25 Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall
Oct 26 New Orleans, LA – One Eyed Jacks
Oct 27 Baton Rouge, LA – Spanish Moon
Oct 28 Houston, TX – Warehouse Live Studio
Oct 29 San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger
Oct 30 Austin, TX – Mohawk
Oct 31 Dallas, TX – Trees
Nov 03 Tucson, AZ – Club Congress
Nov 04 Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom
Nov 05 Las Vegas, NV – The Bunkhouse Saloon
