Its show time. (Show World - Redd Kross)

Member Name: kylecoare

Product:	Show World - Redd Kross
Date:	16/12/03 (22 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some great poppy tunes, Nice vocals, guitar filled pop.

Disadvantages: Still unknown to most., A few fillers.

REDD KROSS - SHOW WORLD
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As anyone that regularly reads my reviews will know I have a little place in my heart for this band, and I have already written two reviews of their previous works, so I thought it would make sense to write about the bands most recent work.

When I say recent i actually mean 1997, which still only feels like yesterday to me.

Up until this time Redd Kross were a relatively unknown band, although very popular with other musicians and music journalists, they never really seemed to break into the charts.

Well unfortunately this still didn't really change with the release of this album.

The band formed in the late 70's, when brothers Jeff and Steven McDonald, aged only 8 years and 14 years old respectively, decided they wanted to create the perfect music, which they claimed was a mixture of punk, pop, heavy metal and family pop bands such as 'The partridge Family' and 'the Osmands'.

Well the early albums all had hints at what this sound was going to be like, but it wasn't until 1990's Third Eye album was released on the world that people really started to take notice, with a wide range of different styles and genres the album had almost everything for the music lover, although even that paled in comparison to the next release, Phaseshifter, which was released in 1993, took the sound and beefed it up with lots of fuzzy guitars making an almost perfect rock album.

For a little more history on the band please read my other two album reviews.

MEMBERS
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Over the years the band has had many different members, with future members of both Bad Religion and Pearl Jam playing in this band.

The members who were involved with this recording were:-

Jeffrey McDonald - Vocals and Guitar.
Steven McDonald - Bass and Vocals.
Eddie Kurdziel - Guitar.
Brian Reitzell - Drums and Percussion.


Eddie Kurdzeil sadly died in 1999.

THE ALBUM
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The album was originally supposed to be released in 1996, but due to Jeff being very ill they couldn't do any promotional work so it got released in 1997.

The album is 13 tracks long, with a running time of 44 minutes.

--TRACK ONE--
--Pretty Please Me--

This is a cover version of an old 70's song by a band called Quick, I haven't heard the original so i cant comment on that.
But this version is a great opener to the album.
Opening with a cool little drum beat, then soon coming in with a nice little picked guitar piece.
It soon leads into an almost rock and roll tune, and then the fantastic vocals come in to add to the entire feel.
The song features some nice harmonies between the brothers during the chorus and although by no means a classic song, it opens the album nicely.

--TRACK TWO--
--STONED--

The first thing any fan of the band notices with this album is how well produced it is, previous albums have either been a little too soft or too hard, whereas this sits firmly in the middle, giving it the sound that the band has deserved over the years.

This song again opens with a drum beat, then we get the guitars coming in with an added keyboard to boost the sound.
The guitars chug along at a nice pace during this fairly mid paced tune.
Again its the vocals that make this song so special, with the brothers having an amazing ability to harmonize with each other so perfectly.
But also when either one sings alone you really get to hear a lot of emotion and feeling in their voice.

'(Squatter girls)
Punk rock squatter girls from Hollywood
You are so sweet
Except when you're on the speed
You're always stoned'

--TRACK THREE--
--YOU LIED AGAIN--

Opening with a fantastic riff, reminiscent of Jimmies Fantasy from the previous album,
this is quite a rocking number, although it still holds its pop sensibilities right in your face, with an interesting mix between The Beatles and Kiss.

The tune is fairly simple with the crunching riff holding most of it together, and some nice crashing drums.

The vocals are a lot more brash and shouty on this tune, although they are still well sung and still contain a lot of harmony.

'You sitting there
In your leather chair
Writing a book
About your needs

Guilt inspired poetry
Just like the kind
Some truckers write
When they're on speed'

--TRACK FOUR--
--GIRL GOD--

After the last rocking number, this is a welcome slow song, with just some slow almost acoustic guitars playing in the background.

This again shows the quality of the vocals, being able to play heavy rock or power ballads, these guys are masters at all styles.

The song has a big feel of the 60's style epic ballads, whilst being firmly stuck in the 90's.

'Those who criticize
Often idolize
The bitterness comes from the fear
That once again you'll leave them far behind'

--TRACK FIVE--
--MESS AROUND--

This was released as a single, but didn't receive a lot of airplay, and only touched the lower regions of the UK charts.
Which is a shame as it could have shown a lot of British bands how to write a perfect pop song.

The song is driven by a simple twiddly picked guitar in the background, with some more powerful guitars just over the top of it.
The drums and bass add a bit more depth to the tune, and it all sounds very nice.

The vocals all sound very heartfelt, with a nice simple chorus adding to the tune.

--TRACK SIX--
--ONE CHORD PROGRESSION--

Opening with an almost haunting guitar sound with some nicely placed drums kicking it in, this soon changes to another simple pop rock tune, whic
h isnt one of the best on the album, but still not one to skip either.

The music is very simple with some well played guitar pieces.
The chorus is a bit of a let down after some of the great ones on the album, with them basically just singing the title over and over.

--TRACK SEVEN--
--TEEN COMPETITION--

This song is very bass driven, with the guitars only really adding some twirly sounds over the top.
Again the song is a bit of a let down, and one of the few that I would usually skip.

It is saved by the vocals, because the tune really doesn't do anything for me, but as usual the vocals are quite nice.

--TRACK EIGHT--
--FOLLOW THE LEADER--

This song has a very early 70's feel to it, sounding a little like 'stuck in the middle'.
For this song the band has turned off the distortion and in doing so have created a cool tune.

The music is very simple with a guitar playing a simple tune, with some shakers in the background.
A very Minimalist sounding song, but still nice.

--TRACK NINE--
--VANITY MIRROR--

One of my favourites on the album, this is another slower song.
With some nicely placed keyboard pieces playing in the background, with some crunchy guitars playing just over this.

The vocals are again top notch, with the brothers again showing their unique style.

'I'm in disgrace
The remnants of the face
You tried to erase
Your looking fine
Except for the crack that almost
Ruined your mind'

--TRACK TEN--
--SECRET LIFE--

Probably my favourite song on the album, this is a slow piano led rock ballad, with the main focus on the vocals by the two brothers.

This song shows some amazing singing by Jeff, with more emotion in one line than most can put in an entire album.

Worth buying the album for alone.

'When things are going my way
Is the time th
at I turn
And I run away
I will go far into space
Then return to your door
With a smile on my face

Dark places that I have gone
Dark places I don't belong
I'm good deep inside
So why do I hide from you'

--TRACK ELEVEN--
--UGLY TOWN--

And after that its back to the pop rock tunes, with this having a big feel of the Beatles at their best.
A nice tune, but really shouldn't have followed the previous number.

Sounding very 60's influenced this really is what pop rock was meant to sound like.
With nice simple guitars and drums, and great harmonious vocals.

'If you will go
I'll surely be there
It's an ugly place
It's looks just like
A space I live in
We're an ugly race
Everybody wants to
Take your place'

--TRACK TWELVE--
--GET OUT OF MYSELF--

The first single from this album, which did receive a bit of airplay, and got into the top 30, which isn't bad for this band!
Opening with a nice drum beat and some twiddly guitar.
Again this is very 60's sounding, but with more crunching guitars and drums.

Vocally another fantastic performance from the boys, showing why they've been in the music business for so long.

'Sometimes my head's
Just dead weight
On my shoulders
Emptiness (right now)
Would sure suit me fine
Can't walk on by

Got to get out
Gotta get out of myself'

--TRACK THIRTEEN--
--KISS THE GOAT--

I don't normally listen to this song as its probably the worst on the album.
Not that its really that bad it just doesn't offer a lot to the sound or feel of the album, and it doesn't make a good ending track.

The tune is quite rocking, reminiscent of their previous album, where it wouldn't have been such a bad choice, but surrounded by these great pop rock tunes this s
eems out of place.


OVERALL
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Would I recommend this album?
Definitely, its the sort of record you can play at any time of the day, but its best before your going out on the town!
If you like poppy rock music you really cant fail with this band, they have released so much great music over the years and I would recommend getting all of their albums.

Good news for fans is that they are working on a new album for release next years, so I may have another Redd Kross review to write on day!

Thanks for reading, please leave any comments below.

Kyle

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