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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Expansive & Innovative, July 19, 2002
Exemplifying the proverbial rags-to-riches fairy tale, Vex Red is a five-piece band out of Hampshire, England who was signed to Ross Robinson's Virgin Records imprint label I Am, based on the strength of a demo tape that was submitted, along with thousands of others, through a Kerrang! magazine advertisement. Based out of Aldershot, Vex Red was completed as a group in 1999 with the addition of frontman/guitarist Terry Abbott who joined the band that was rounded out by guitarist/keyboardist Ant Forbes, bassist/programmer Keith Lambert, guitarist/bassist Nick Goulding, and drummer Ben Calvert. After the addition of Terry, the group recorded the Sleep Does Nothing For You demo with little results, which prompted the band to record the 3-song demo Can't Smile at SWI Studios (Cornwall) that attracted the interests of Ross Robinson. Following the record deal, Vex Red hit the studio in March 2001 with producer Ross Robinson (Korn, Slipknot, Amen, At The Drive-In) to record their debut album Start With A Strong And Persistent Desire, which was released in the UK on March 18th, and is slated to hit shelves in the U.S. on July 2, 2002.Rooted in artistic expressionism rather than commercial accessibility, Vex Red has crafted an intriguing brand of rock that features organic instrumentation ruthlessly clashing with digital chaos, resulting in a unique hybrid of post-grunge, classic rock, and electronica. Musically, the band is a bit hard to describe, showing strains of modern Silverchair during the more melodic moments and echoes of Pitchshifter during the more automated sequences, while a sense of At The Drive-In pandemonium and Tool ambition complete the picture. Comparisons do not however, do the band justice for Vex Red manages to avoid stereotypes by thinking outside the box with their novel ideas and masterful compositions. Bringing their innovative sounds to life is a confidence & maturity that belies their youth, not to mention skilled musicianship, which is led by caustic guitarplay, swirling melodies, and an extravagant array of electronic beats, effects and sampling that, arranged all together, is immense in its scope and vision. Providing the final component to this sonic maelstrom is the presence of frontman/guitarist Terry Abbott, whose dynamic Silverchair-like vocals shimmer with undeniable emotion and powerful resonance. Overall, Vex Red is far removed from your typical Americanized band, and, because of the lack of radio appeal that exists within their music, it may take more than your average listener to truly enjoy & appreciate this band. Already having been released in the UK for a few months, Start With A Strong And Persistent Desire is finally set to leave its mark on the U.S. scene. Composed of eleven tracks and over 50 minutes worth of mind-stimulating music, Vex Red's debut album kicks off with the driving The Closest, a worthy introduction into the group's dynamic amalgamation of melody, machine, and passion. The powerful Dermo follows, featuring beautiful piano-driven, melodic verses & melancholic choruses vividly contrasted by distorted electronics and chaotic vocals, while Can't Smile, the second single, is arguably the most accessible song on the album, marked by its Silverchair-like melodies & haunting choruses. Showcasing the group's more tender, melodically driven side are such songs as the atmospheric Untitled, the emotional, acoustic-like Bully Me, and the epic, ending track Vert, a whispering ballad that slowly builds up until its caustic finale. Other notable tracks include the semi-upbeat, post-grunge inspired first single Itch and the cathartic Clone Jesus, while Cause And Solution is a stunning instrumental and Sleep Does Nothing For You shines with its versatility. As a whole, Start With A Strong And Persistent Desire is a solid debut, and, because of its uniqueness, ensures that Vex Red will be both remembered and acclaimed for creating their own path, rather than trying to fit into the current scene. However, Vex Red is a group that will not be easily understood or appreciated by the masses, and it remains to be seen how listeners will react to both the band, and their album...
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~ Boiler Room
~ Rearview Mirror
~ Instruction
~ Sloth
~ The Revolution Smile
by Vex Red 
