Customer Reviews

De Nova (Dig)

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The Beatles comparison is inescapable. These songs are close enough that one can't use the word 'original' without blinking. The Redwalls' De Nova is De rivative. But that's ok. Because, like the Monkeys (America's answer to the Moptops), this is still good music and really fun. What it lacks in originality, it makes up for in exuberance. Lots of melody, harmony, and rhythm crammed onto one disc. The Beatles were the seminal moment- the spark that lit countless fires. The Redwalls are one of those fires (a big blazing bonfire) that heats things up and, with no irony, salutes the Fab Four proudly.

The "album cover" art should be your first clue of what to expect from the Redwalls: a "shelf-worn" effect and a cover photo of them in rather Beatle-esque poses. (Apparently they passed on an opportunity to label their CD tracks as "Side 1" and "Side 2".) But these guys are not "poseurs" - they have an honest passion and commitment to the "British Invasion" sound of the 1960's. Throughout this energetic and musically authentic effort, you'll hear echoes of the Who, early Elton John, and especially the John Lennon side of the Beatles. (Listen to the closing track, "Rock and Roll", and then try telling me I'm wrong.) These young lads from Chicago have nailed down the sound better than any of their contemporaries, better than even Canada's Sam Roberts. This is a fun and energetic CD with a number of standout tracks, including "Build a Bridge", "Robinson Crusoe", and "Thank You". (And for you "sensitive" listeners, don't let the "explicit" tag scare you off - it's only for one song, "Falling Down", which uses profanity to make a point about radio censorship.) This album doesn't pretend to be avant garde, nor does it want to be. Just put in on, shake your mop-top, jump around, play air guitar, and enjoy it.

The time has come for people to know about the Redwalls. This is a Chicago band that is so talented for their age (no-one over 22), it makes you wonder what superstars they could be a few years from now. De Nova is a solid mix of songs, comparable to The Black Crowes, Stones, mid-era Beatles, or Dylan, depending on what song you are on. The great thing about the Redwalls is their ability to perform classic sounding songs that seem like they actually could have been written in the 60's. Give this album a try now, and also check out their debut, Universal Blues, which is just as good.

If you've never heard music by The Redwalls, De Nova is a great place to start. This follow-up to their first album Universal Blues has something for everyone on it. If you're a romantic you'll love "Love her." If you hate the FCC as much as the The Redwalls do you'll definitely love the protest song "Falling down." And if you just like Rock 'n' Roll and having a good time, the song "It's alright" will be your new anthem. Each track on this album has it's own unique twist whether it's a catchy chorus, guitar solo, or Logan Baren's(lead singer)unique and very entertaining voice. This album is sure to be your feel-good album for the summer, so go out and buy it! You should also buy Universal Blues,their first album, which is just as great.

This is the best new rock and roll album I've heard in a long, long, long time!!
There isn't much music like this coming out these days and its really refreshing that The Redwalls are doing it so well.

You don't have to be a genius to hear Bowie, Stones, Beatles, Dylan, Kinks influences in this but certainly it's clearly got their signature. It sounds like...well...The Redwalls.

It's great to know that someone is carrying the torch of some of the best rock and roll bands ever...and without putting some trendy, ironic twist on it. The Redwalls are honest and owning up to what inspires them.

Great CD! Hard to imagine a fan of rock music not liking this.

This is a fantastic album. Think of David Bowie, Queen, Spoon, and Oasis getting together and writing songs. I bought it for the track "Thank You", but unlike CD's that you regret buying because they only have one or two good songs, this CD is good wire to wire. This is the kind of album that makes you go buy the rest of the band's catalogue. And I will do just that!

That this power pop band was heavily influenced by such British Invasion bands as The Beatles, The Kinks and the Rolling Stones is obvious after listening to this album. And if their songwriting is a little derivative of those influences, so what? [Badfinger made a career out of mining The Beatles sound!]

These thirteen tracks from their major label debut are full of jangly guitars and catchy hooks from the R&B sound of the opening track "Robinson Crusoe" to the full tilt "Rock & Roll" that closes the album.

This Deerfield, IL quartet may be a throwback to the Sixties, but their sound is a refreshing take on the classic two guitars/bass/drums sound. [Note: They recently finished a tour as opening act for the like-minded band Oasis--specifically requested by Noel Gallagher.] RECOMMENDED

For the past decade, rock music has been crafting its obituary rather than radical riffs. Scruffy, enthusiastic retro throwbacks have turned mod into mundane while exhausting their listeners with prototypical ballads and spiritless jaunts that can cure insomnia. Some critics would classify The Redwalls as the next torchbearers in the steady disintegration of rock and roll. More guys with shaggy hair, sharp suits, and vintage guitars. Assuredly, these scrappy young fellas from Chi-town are not trying to be the Dylan (or Donovan, if you want to keep the band's British predilections in mind). Their lyrics aren't deep: even "Front Page," with its surreal feel and mystical aura is more aurally pleasing than it is intellectually challenging. However, even the Beatles' breakthrough "I Want to Hold Your Hand" evidences that a band's potential takes time to pique.

Imagine going from a raw-powered, youth-infused album like "With the Beatles" to a polished, treading-in-experimental-territory "Revolver" in two years...that's what The Redwalls has achieved. The group's second release is drenched in tambourines, horns, and studio embellishments that its independent venture "Universal Blues" lacks. This may be disconcerting to traditional Redwalls fans who prefer ample bass lines to studio spit and polish. However, the gamble pays off-no use refraining from using all the bells and whistles that come with a major production studio when they can round out your sound for a broader audience. The harmonies are also as compelling, especially on the track "How the Story Goes" (shame on the critics who dismiss this song as a Rod Stewart ballad that doesn't yield listening pleasure). The Baren brothers would have caused a major stir had they appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show: their sound and on-stage personas make the teenyboppers weak in the knees.

I enjoy the ballads on this album more than the rollicking numbers: the harmonies, melody, and heartfelt simplicity of the lyrics (often pronounced with faux British accents) have a bluesy feel and remind me of Badfinger-a British Invasion era group that specialized in ballads and tragedy. "Robinson Crusoe" may wake me up every morning, but the songs that encourage me to reminisce about events and people who have influenced me are more compelling. Their lyrics are also more developed. The rockin' tracks are feel-good endeavors that evoke comparisons with The Dave Clark Five and The Searchers-not bad, but not on the level of The Kinks or the Who....yet. This new album will either catapult them from regional celebrity to international stardom, or they'll drop off the radar and go back to Chicago to hone their chops and hope that the third time really is a charm.

At last a band comes along with talent, taste and ideas. This is truly an outstanding achievement not only for The Redwalls but music today. Everyone needs a copy of this album!

The young Chicago suburbanites second effort is truly an interesting listen. Their unabashed mimicry of mid 60's britpop acts ie:The Beatles, Small Faces, etc. with no small dose of Dylanesque vocal inflection borders on genius. With a sound more mature than their years and a truly impressive mastery of studio technique this young group have created a purely enjoyable album full of hooks, clean Lennon/McCartney harmonies, and some suprisingly meaningful lyrics. Upon first listen the songs are easily dismissed as soundalikes. However, with repeated listenings one will discover a band with its own identity despite their clearly influenced sound. This is most evident on tracks like "Falling Down" and "Glory of War" with their post-modern treatment of the Dylan/Lennon protest song. All in all a fun album, and a VERY young band with a keen ear and a lot of potential. There are many other modern bands that are more derivatative of the standard bearers (The Strokes,The kings of Leon)than The Redwalls are. The Difference being they are not as out front about their influences in vain hope that they will gain credit for themselves. 13 original compositions filled with all the good stuff you want to hear! And at 20 years of age the originality and depth may come if given support and time.