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Concert Tue Dec 04 2007
Redwalls @ the Metro
This is by far my favorite story of the year: local indie darlings The Redwalls ready the follow-up to their major label debut for national conglomerate, Capital Records. They bring in producer Tore Johansson (Frank Ferdinand, OK Go) to explore grittier sonic territories while still expanding the band’s sun-drenched power pop. This they do, recording The Redwalls live to tape in an effort to capture raw emotion and the ethos of their energetic live show. Then Capital, who paid for the sucker, merged with Virgin Records and the Redwalls were swiftly shown the door.
(If I may get on my soapbox, for just a moment: while I appreciate Capitol’s willingness to give the band their rights to the album, why the hell did the Redwalls get dropped? This isn’t like Wilco, who turned out an obtuse but rewarding offering a few years back. The Redwalls make very pleasant, enjoyable, fun pop music. You’re honestly telling me, Capitol Records, that you didn’t have room for them? You get behind Yellowcard and Coldplay, but deny exposure to a perfectly good group from the Chicago suburbs? Really??)
Enter MAD Dragon Records, a student-run label from Drexel University in Philadelphia, who came in to save the day and released the Redwalls third full-length album in October. DeRo loves it, Miles from the Reader thinks it's cool, and I find it pretty damn good. Indie rock wins again! Yayyy, indie rock!!!!
The Redwalls aren’t re-inventing the wheel but they can count themselves among a growing number of Chicago bands who really know their way around a pop song. The Redwalls doesn’t really explore a grittier sound, so much as tighten everything up and let the drums provide a tougher backbeat. “Summer Romance” is one of those classic pop love songs that soars and flies and urges kids to turn their windows down and stick their hands into the beautiful summer breeze. “Modern Diet” is another stellar standout, a shaking and pounding 60s-influenced number with a nice shout-along chorus and some terrific, clean breaks. There are some really solid jams here and Capitol probably had a hit on their hands, and I hope they live to regret the day they showed the Redwalls the door.
The Redwalls play this Saturday, December 8th at the Metro. Show starts at 7pm. Jonathan Rice and the Whigs open.
