Label: Badman Recording Co.

Release Date: March 2, 2004

Website: www.theredthread.com

The Red Thread - Tension Pins
Jeff Edwards

Genre labels are funny things. Funny and tiring. Case in point: The Red Thread. Since they play down-tempo pop music with minor keys and soothing vocals, they are automatically "alt-country" and relegated to that particular page of the music zine. Not that the description is entirely off, but it lacks a bit of definition. In a day where the words alt-country and the new label "Americana" are used interchangeably, one ends up with a genre definition that includes everything from Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch to The Handsome Family and The New Pornographers.

Still, there is something of a starting point to the discussion of The Red Thread that needs to include such names as the Tupelo "family" (Uncle Tupelo proper, Wilco, Son Volt, Jay Farrar, Jeff Tweedy, Loose Fur, etc., etc.) as well as the granddaddies of the genre, The Byrds. There are elements of each. In particular on the slower numbers like "Five Below" and "Map of the Moon," the influences shine through. An astute listener also may hear glimpses of other sixties contemporaries of the Byrds such as Crosby, Stills and Nash. On slightly poppier tunes (which are few), the sixties influence shines through even more. "Counting Stitches" even finds tambourine in the mix.

Of particular note is the title track, which also ends the recording. While multiple influences come to mind all through listening, it is not until this final five minutes that Pink Floyd is evident. In fact, if hearing it for the first time without prior knowledge of the source, it would not be difficult to imagine David Gilmour crooning the lines.

Overall, the effect is pleasant and listenable. There are no major deviations from the rather mellow vibe of the disc, but that seems to be the desired effect. Given the overall feel to the album, heavy distortion and faster tempos would seem forced and out of place. Perhaps not the album to get you going in the morning on the way to work, but this is certainly a great listen for taking the day down while listening to the rain rattle on the roof.

posted 03.11.04

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Jeff Edwards is now listed in who's who in the management sciences (courtesy Googlism.com). E-mail him at paranoia@sbcglobal.net

2003 White Elephant Productions