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It doesn't happen every day that a band releases a debut album, which sounds more like a sophomore album. The English band Vex Red has managed to do just that. The band started to get recognised in their home-country in the first half of 2001. Not because they released a single which happened to get into the charts, but because they were playing numerous gigs in small venues and thus reached their intended audience: people who love live music. But Vex Red's real break came when American producer Ross Robinson happened to receive a copy of their demo-tape. Liking what he heard he called up Terri Abbot, Vex Red's singer. A few days later Robinson arrived in London and listened to the band play in a studio. Although the instruments that the band used weren't all that and the guys were extremely nervous in the presence of the man who produced albums for Slipknot and Korn, Robinson recognised their potential and signed them to his 'I Am' label. Vex Red started writing and recording their debut album and at the same time kept playing as many gigs as possible, all the time gathering more fans around England.
This way they managed to score the opening spot for fellow Brit-rockers Bush's European tour and gathered some European fans along the way. If you were lucky enough to see Terry Abbot and his band mates this year, you'll have recognised some of their musical influences, which range from Silverchair, Soundgarden and Tool to artists such as Aphex Twin, as shown by the electronic sounds embedded into their songs.
The first few lines of 'Start With A Strong And Persistent Desire' opener 'The Closet' raise some doubt about Abbot's ability to keep tune. But when the song really kicks in, a few seconds later, all those doubts disappear and he sounds just as strong as he does during Vex Red's live shows. One of the things Vex Red is skilled at is using various rhythms and tempos within the same song. The songs 'Demo' and 'Bully Me' both start really slow and gentle, with lots of emotion in the vocals, but end up rougher and harder.
The band's first single 'Itch' is extremely catchy. This genuine rocksong should also do well outside the UK, being one of those songs that makes you want to get up and shout some obscenities to innocent passers-by. The band has now released their second single in the UK, 'Can't Smile', a radio-friendly song with tortured vocals somewhat reminiscent of Daniel Johns (Silverchair). Another highlight of the album is 'Vert, which starts off fragile and keeps building to a climax that only arrives just when you conclude it just will not happen.
All in all Vex Red's album 'Start with a Strong and Persistent Desire' is a great debut.
http://www.kindamuzik.net/recensie/vex-red/start-with-a-strong-and-persistent-desire/1336/
Meer Vex Red op KindaMuzik: http://www.kindamuzik.net/artiest/vex-red
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