Let me be the first to say that most of the new rock I hear causes severe bowel problems in myself and everyone directly blood related to me.  Red Bedroom, thankfully, left most of my internal organs intact.  Individual track comments:  The album opens with “Cold Blooded,” a standard new rock song with refreshingly lo-fi keyboard work that lends the song a great energy.  “Cold Blooded” takes an immediate back seat to track two, “Gray Ghost.”  This particularly hits the listener with a rock n’ roll stick containing equal parts of angst and old school video game chase music.  “Artificial Heart” is like nothing that’s hit the new rock scene before, displaying very entertaining keyboard work in the beginning.  

The generalities:  Despite the gems, this CD lacks variety something fierce.  The Fever’s songs are strikingly formulaic, many beginning with a lone drum track that leads into the opening guitar riffs and clever synth line, then the lyrics sing first verse, chorus, and so on.  The transitions between song parts are predictable and despite the immense potential of this band to really push the limits, all of the standards are there.  Listen to about 50 seconds of any one song, and after hearing the extent of their innovation, you’ll know they know exactly what they’re made of.  I can’t say that they’re really trying to push musical boundaries.  

General Statement: Sure to please any indie rock fan and I would love to sing along with these tracks drunk should they ever hit the jukebox.  Closing Pessimistic statement:  Since it’s too easy to say something stupid and corny like “The Fever,” is not contagious or “The Fever” is no health threat to my ears, I’ll just close by saying they are mediocre at best. 

Best Track: Gray Ghost.
Sure to please: Any one who even remotely likes indie rock.
Sure to disappoint: Rap fans, Metal fans, the rest of the planet.
 

Rating: 

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