Record Label: Virgin Records
Genre: Emo
Band Link: link
Buy on Amazon.com link

First off let’s debunk the mystery surrounding the band’s name. Vocalist Ronnie Winter states that the name is “100% completely arbitrary.’ There. Now that that’s out of the way, Daddy Warbucks, aka, Virgin records, have invested their efforts promoting yet another band that will capture today’s youth and inspire them to run full speed ahead to the local or big box record shops. Are they even called record shops anymore? They don’t make records, so it must be CD shop or music store or some other inconsequential title. At the risk of giving away my age, they will always be record stores to me.

Anywhoooo, here is a 5-piece of 20-something lads from Middleton Florida with something to bitch about. Don’t You Fake It’ mixes an assembly of pop-punk, screamo with a dash of metal. Heard this song and dance before have you? Yes and no. Although not entirely steeped in originality, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus does offer some things in the vein of individuality. By this, I mean that I particularly enjoy their sound. The musicianship is spot-on and the vocals are layered and presented in a manner that is pure ear candy. Face Down’ presents a scathing review on domestic abuse with excellent melody and vocal arrangements. The guitar work is filled with all those chunky distorted start-stop riffs that make the hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention. In Fate’s Hand’, which has garnered much attention as it has been included in the EA sports classic Madden franchise for 2007, has the scream along chorus which is infectious and a pulsing drum line that moves along at a torrid pace. This in itself will surely bolster the bands credibility with its targeted fanbase. Cat and Mouse’ completely changes the measure with sweeping piano and heart felt lyrics. And herein lies the crux of this whole genre of music.

For all Don’t You Fake It’ accomplishes it suffers the same affliction as the rest of the emo generation. Why the fiddlers green do these bands have to whine and croon about the cheesiest shit that this great Earth has ever inspired? I’m completely beaten down and sick of hearing about relationships destined for failure or about how much someone loves someone else and how they’d rather die than be without them. Fuck me people! People are dying the world over from poverty, AIDS, famine, murder and the list goes on. Sure, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus throws a curveball with a track about violence against women and that’s commendable. But then what? Well let me tell you. They follow it up with the same diatribe about being in love with the track Your Guardian Angel.” They continue to cheese things up with Seventeen Ain’t So Sweet’ about their friend who is gifted with a beautiful voice but doesn’t fit the mold of today’s pop standards and cookie cutter image and thus will never sign to a major label. Well guess what people? If you cared that much, why isn’t she featured on your record?

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus has entered the fray of emoticon and will surely find their fans in an all too populated scene. The album is good, the music is solid, the sound is pleasing but the standard depression laden lyrics are getting old……fast!

Bottom Line: Fans of emo have found another band to add to their steadily growing collection. The release is solid yet hindered by their orthodox emo lyrics.
Notable Tracks: In Fate’s Hand, Face Down, Damn Regret
Overall Rating: