REDMEDIC - 'Demo summer 2005'

Redmedic
demo summer 2005
www.redmedic.us

1.The Antonym 2.The Open Mouth Last Kiss Goodbye 3.Macabre Painted In Pastels 4.Cupid In A Bombshelter 5.Wake Me Up When Autumns Over

This is intended as a positive review, though I focus more on the faults of the band. Redmedic is a young band of a flooded genre commonly called “emo” or “emo-core”. Most songs are marked by particularly artistic structure, consisting of several parts. The sound and structure evoke images of homemade construction paper collages; patterned-edge scissors and all. Relaxed, flutterly-distorted guitar parts and meandering bass are cut by low-mix metal leads and dual vocals. One singer tends toward a throaty “hardcore” voice, while the other is more often found providing the melodic sing-song lead lines. They occasionally do the same style simultaneously, and they may do well to consider switching up their usual roles for a change of pace. The screaming/singing dynamic is somewhat overexploited, and the pursuit of a vocal approach shying from total melodic focus may be worth their while. Although their up-front melody is likely very appealing to the younger crowd, it would be nice to see them outgrow the trappings of current trends. To see them move in the general musical direction of mid-to-later Clash would not be a disappointment (hint: more room for differentiation!). They appear to have the required ingredients. I like to think of this band in terms of what it COULD be.

Onward to the demo disc songs: “The Antonym” is an intro track of Counting Crows guitar (think “Round Here” intro) invaded by “Crazy Train” bass and interesting toms before a relatively bland verse-ish bridge and some repetition. It blends very well into “The Open Mouth Last Kiss Goodbye”, whose mid-paced opening riffs are the most aggressive on the disc. The distorted rhythm guitar of this section yields a particularly bone-dry tone. The song itself is in Redmedic’s usual style (similar to the next two songs on the demo). Basically, twinkly guitar over palm-muting, with some hoarse screams in a mishmash of melody. I think this song would come off better in a good live performance. For a self-recorded demo, however, this isn’t bad. There seems to be some studio shyness/staleness in the performance itself.

“Macabre Painted In Pastels” opens nicely with a whisper before the verse and rising action of the (descending) pre-chorus riff. This is clearly the most memorable song due to its scream-along call & answer chorus. The quick bass & drums part before the bridge would have to be one of my favorite parts, for the fact it is a clear expression of the childlike playfulness encapsulating their current sound. The shouting chorus of this song is the peak of the disc. Accordingly, “Cupid In A Bombshelter” is falling action. “Wake Me Up When Autumn’s Over” is the most listenable song on the record due to its (appropriate) brevity and the fact it does not attempt to reach beyond its natural limits by way of throwaway cheats. Solid structure on this one.

Redmedic’s greatest weakness appears to be the extensive use of vocal hooks; intended to be charismatic in emo fashion, but progressively annoying with repetition. Most of the songs last too long anyway, so this may provide some beginning strategy. Redmedic’s excesses threaten further connection to the wimpy/whiny so-called “emo” of today (which seems to be the core of their current inspiration, not to mention that of most of their peers). Redmedic has more potential than that of a sub-mediocre emo band. Break away. The vocal weaknesses are fixable, but may require a conscious effort and overall songwriting maturation (within the self-imposed limits of Redmedic’s changeable identity). The band, while somewhat loose, simply shows the basic signs of youthfulness. If they continue to search for their appropriate sound, they may promise at least an album’s worth of genuinely listenable material. I would like to hear them do it.