Don't Fake It (2006)

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Virgin

Review of Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

I have heard the hype about this band long before I received Red Jumpsuit Apparatus’ debut album, Don’t Fake It.  Luckily, it was not all just hype.  These guys are good, really good.  The heavy driving music (Duke Kitchens on guitar and piano, Elias Reidy on guitar, Joey Westwood on bass and Jon Wilkes on drums), blending of vocals (lead vocals by Ronnie Winter with various members singing backup), ingenious production (David Bendeth) and well written lyrics (Ronnie Winter) all come together for an album that can be described as an audible delight.

The band does not hold any of its punches and comes out with a hard driving song from the very beginning with “My Fate’s Hand” and continues with “Waiting.”  Although they seem to slow down the pace during the intro to “Misery Loves It’s Company,” the rest of the song returns to a harder beat. However, band does slow its pace for the song “Cat and Mouse,” a rock ballad of sorts with meaningful lyrics.

The album picks up the pace again with “Dam Regret,” but if you like more menacing vocals with a heavier beat, you really need to check out “Atrophy,” on of my favorite songs on the album.   “Seventeen Ain’t So Sweet” has a classic pop-punk tune, however, it is well produced and includes truth in its lyrics.  If you want to get atrue sense of the talent of the band, one only needs to listen to “Your Gaurdian Angel.” It may be a little slower than the rest of the album, but I had to listen to this song again after the first time I heard it and that is saying a lot.  The song showcases the versatility of the band as well as its range of capabilities both vocally and instrumentally. Quiet, don’t tell anyone, but there is a hidden track on the album, which is also as good as many of the other songs.

This is one album I will listen to many times again and recommend it to anyone who enjoys good rock music.

Tracks

Song Title

1. In Fate’s Hands

2. Waiting

3. False Pretense

4. Face Down

5. Misery Loves Its Company

6. Cat and Mouse

7. Damn Regret

8. Atrophy

9. Seventeen Ain’t So Sweet

10. Justify

11. Your Guardian Angel

12. Bonus Track

Awards

Related Links

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This review was written by Ian Ripley. Copyright 2006, All Rights Reserved.