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Red Letter M

Red Letter M (2004)
self-released

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Brian
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on November 19th 2004

The progression of ska enthusiasts Rx Bandits is pretty clear. As far as the third wave went, the Bandits were right on track with earlier efforts like the seemingly improvised Those Damn Bandits! and the Sublime-esque grooves of Halfway Between Here And There. Only with Progress came just that - textured melodies and atmospheric, sometimes-reggae jam sessions, which clearly bled into their next album, Resignation. Incorporating the influence of jam bands like Phish or the Grateful Dead but simultaneously mixing it with roots-reaching reggae seems like an odd choice for most third wave ska bands, especially when most of which tend to base their style around the mid-90s punk sound. Maybe I'm getting a bit off base, since California's Red Letter M, whose cast includes ex-Codename Rocky members, don't even boast a horn section, or ska upstrokes for that matter - but the similarity they carry to the latter half of the Bandits' progression is eerie nonetheless.

Though plenty of times the croon of the vocalist can seem Matt Embree-trained, and the way the band resorts (in a good way) to very Bandits-like riffing during tempo increases is suspectible, the intro of "Cliff Diving With Carl Jung" definitely holds a Coheed vibe and opens the window further on the apparently progressive minds of the band members - which seems weird when considering the hip-hop segue that closes out almost half the song. It isn't all genre-hopping and hapless noodling, though - the band knows a good melody, like the chorus of "Bloodhound Will Hunt."

Speaking of progressive, the band even considered symmetry in the album's tracklisting: tracks 1 and 7 are roughly a minute each, 2 and 6 six minutes each, and 3 and 5 a little under five minutes apiece, with the middle track, 4, just missing the six-minute mark. It's a nice touch to the definitively-progressive feel of the record, if not a bit obsessive-compulsive, since deeming it a coincidence in a band's case like theirs just seems all too...coincidental.

Certainly, the half-hour EP can drag a little in places and is less overwhelming past multiple listens, but still holds strong as a pleasant and relatively enjoyable album, even though its place may be relegated to swell background noise after several spins. I'm convinced the band has something good in place here, as their hearts are in the right place. If they can give their melodies a strong, compelling nature and sonically expand on the jam parts a bit, the band should definitely make waves all in thanks to the influence of an above mentioned outfit who eventually chose to splash outside them.

MP3s
"Have You Ever Danced With The Devil By The Pale Moonlight?"
Cliff Diving With Carl Jung
STREAM
Killing Lincoln [clip]

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Anonymous (December 1, 2004)

I just want to say I've had the pleasure of seeing rlM live and they kick some serious ass. CDs are great, but nothing beats a good live show.

Anonymous (November 24, 2004)

Bring back Codename: Rocky please!!

Anonymous (November 23, 2004)

was this a rxbandits review or a red letter m review...this review said nothing about the album at all. which normally you should say some things about the music itself when reviewing the album. and i hear no similarities in the voices of these guys and matt embree.

Anonymous (November 20, 2004)

Someone should teach this guy how do review a cd.

Anonymous (November 20, 2004)

a review of a new release really shouldn't focus on what other projects it is similar to. rather a review should focus on the content of the record, it's musicianship, and creativity it offers. it was incredibly irritating to constantly see bandits this bandits that ska this ska that. RLM is a new project and should at least get recognition of the new paths it paves in original music. relating RLM to the bandits is fine in that they are contemporaries of each other, but i thought this was a RLM review not a grocery list of parallels. in the future hopefully someone can describe music from a musician's point of view and not like a fuckin mtv vj using other bands and influences to carry the entire review. RLM keep on doing wut u do cuz u guys are off the hook! I-fficially! dread out

colossalbandit (November 20, 2004)

I haven't heard this cd yet, but I have listened to some of the tracks...that's poor distrobution for ya...but i must say: Codename Rocky's "Infinity" is one of the most underrated 3rd wave/ progressive cds out there... I don't think it got half the attention it deserved. I look forward to Red Letter M releases in the future... and HOT DAMN do they have an amazing bassist

stevejonestherealbones (November 20, 2004)

"Thanks Jones. Now be useful more often."

youre welcome. i'll try to help you shitheads more often

just kidding. you guys are allright

-jones the bones

-stevejones8770@yahoo.com

SilentStorms (November 20, 2004)

Just for the record - I hate ska. Wait...I listen to screamo - I guess my opinion doesn't matter here. Meh.

inagreendase (November 20, 2004)

Thanks Jones. Now be useful more often.

Anonymous (November 20, 2004)

After listening to this, I have decided that even CG Jung can't make me like this! Or maybe it's my persona that hates this but deep inside, I really dig this shit, which would make this band a component of my shadow! I dunno.

-notfeelingcreative

Anonymous (November 20, 2004)

I've never heard this band before, but any band that puts Carl Jung in a song title gets a ten from me, automatically!

-notfeelingcreative