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My problem with people who dedicate themselves one musical genre or another is that they automatically limit themselves by assigning themselves predetermined labels and expectations. Some bands and people sidestep this and just take what is good about each genre and use that as a base to built on. This seems the case with the Detroit band Red Shirt Brigade. They meld pop sensibilites with post rockian rhythms and a keyboard to make music that is at the same time complex and melodic. Actually it is the case, you see I know yet another band I am reviewing personally. While actually knowing them may give me the inclination for a blisteringly evil review(just kidding guys) I will again make a stab at an objective review.
The album begins with the lilting instrumental “adam and erik” which sets the mood for the next 25 or so minutes. “Easy, Just In Case” is an up tempo “rocker” which which will surely get everyone’s toes tapping, especially with the “bop ba da bah” outro. The musical interplay between the members in this complex song is superb to say the least. Next up is “Strychnine Police/Death Arcade” possibly the strongest pop song on the album with its chorus and dance-able bridge which you don’t see coming at all. Every time I see them live this is the song that gets the whole crowd singing along with the “We don’t have to Die” chorus. Another crowd favorite, “Purpose and Praise” is next. Live it is the most energetic song which gets the crowd and band to just spaz out like there’s no tomorrow. None of that energy is lost on the studio version especially on the guitar and bass duel (by Trevor Naud and Paul Bissa respectively) after the first verse.
The boys then decide to slow the party down with the “Haters of The Red Shirt.” Don’t be fooled by the funnny title folks, this song proves that white boys from detroit can match Al Green in the soul/missing you department. The element which really brings this song to the next level is the backing vocals, via Ryan and Scott Allen, which underline and give support throughout the whole song. The album’s closer, “More Aerobics”, gives a picture of the bands extremes in one single song. The first half of the song wields the most post rock influence yet the second half of the song could be the most pop thing on the album. Along with great keyboard work and interesting end fade out, this song keeps you wanting more like any good closer should.
Basically this album takes in the best of the genre known as “indie rock”, uses it as a base, and expounds many levels beyond the sum of its parts. Yet I think this album is really only a hint of what we can expect from the Red Shirt Brigade. Take time, tell them they’re all right.
3 out of the 3 cheeseburgers I ate while listening to this album tasted good. Yum.