By Robin Parrish

Reproduced from an archive of http://christianmusic.about.com/musicperform/christianmusic/library/weekly/aa071499a.htmhttp://christianmusic.about.com/musicperform/christianmusic/library/chat/blshadedred.htm

July 14, 1999

New Album Review:
Shaded Red – Red Revolution

It was with a great sense of anticipation that I recently popped Red Revolution into my CD player. Having thoroughly enjoyed Shaded Red‘s debut album, I couldn’t wait to hear this one.
   Red Revolution shows just how much a group can grow and progress between their first and second albums. If I had one qualm with the first album, it was that after multiple listenings, all of the songs tended to sound pretty much the same. That problem is eliminated this go round, as each song takes on its own unique personality and identity. There are also some interesting new additions to the mix, such as Jon Roberts’ trumpet. But more on that later.
   “Revolution” begins the album, with an unexpected rock/salsa flavor (don’t miss the flamenco dance bridge) that works surprisingly well within the Shaded Red framework. “Hello” enters into more familiar SR territory, with a hooky chorus and lyrics crying out to God for help in the midst of a crisis. “Innocence,” one of the album’s strongest cuts, uses God’s perspective on our need for forgiveness and His willingness to always give it freely.
   “Wait” features a full orchestral score, and sounds like a love song you’d hear on some romantic movie’s soundtrack. It’s also one of a few cuts on this disc that have some potential for crossover into mainstream radio. Next up is a cover of Benny Hester’s classic “When God Ran.” While it’s a great song, it’s one that I just can’t listen to, because it’s one of those songs that once I get the melody in my head, it drives me nuts in there and refuses to leave. Nonetheless, it’s still a very interesting and faithful rendition.
   “About My Love” returns to a more typical SR sound, with that trumpet I promised you playing in the background. It comes to full bear over the bridge as well, giving the song just a hint of a ska type sound. While “Slow Suicide”‘s oddball melody doesn’t do much for me, there’s no denying the power of the lyrics: “There’s hunger there is violence… People butchered for their beliefs… Someone else’s tears don’t move you… Your silence is slow suicide.”
   Here comes that trumpet again, opening for “One Year,” another outstanding cut. The chorus on this one rocks hard, while the lyric asks God for an undeserved second chance. This is also one of those songs that is written as an almost “love song to God” kind of thing, where God’s name isn’t actually mentioned, and therefore the song could also work as a love song to one’s mate. This makes “One Year” another candidate for possible crossover success.
   Possibly my favorite track is “Touch,” because I really dig the shifting groove coupled with the surprisingly anthemic chorus. “Rat Race” is a warning to work-a-holics who forget their lives, families, and friends all “to chase for gold and fame.” The album closes with the driving, melancholy rhythm of “Tonight.” The song seems to perfectly sum up the album’s varied themes, with a heartfelt soul cry for God’s embrace.
   With expectations high and the end result even higher, this one is definitely a winner. I’d highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys pop/rock sounds. Existing Shaded Red fans will practically salivate at the quality and excellence of this album.