This debut full-length from Red Light Go is strong and innovative
author: Haydon S
First off, it has to be said that the packaging for this record is amazing. Obviously a lot of thought has gone into the fold-out digi-pack and the attendant artwork. The CD on-body is designed as an EP, with a heavy-weight feel to it (or is that my imagination). Major points for ingenuity here. The tracklisting continues the theme, with the album split into two "sides" of five songs, each starting and ending with the sound of static as occurs when a record deck is pressed into action.
All this and I haven't even pressed play yet!
Side one begins with "Must Be There" and the amazing "Funny Little Dance" and it's immediately clear that we're in 80's territory here. It's easy to see why the band have gained airplay all over the place. There are definite hints of Depeche Mode, but, rather than sounding tired, things stay fresh throughout the whole of the album. Side One closer "If U Ever" features some nice piano/synth interplay in its early stages, with another hooky chorus, while Side Two starts strongly with "Face It", possibly the album's best song, and "Writing on the Wall" coming on strong.
Occasionally, as on "Was it You" and "Repetition" things descend into guitar-driven territory, which is a shame, as tracks such as "Take the Picture" show that the band are at their strongest when their songs are propelled by synths.
So, this debut full-length from Red Light Go is strong and innovative, but I can't help wishing that they'd had as much time and simple genius to put into the music what was applied to the packaging.
Definitely a band to check out live as I can well imagine them putting on a great show.
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Dancy, fun, energetic, good drive - go buy and dance!
author: Heike Harding-Reyland
I stumbled upon this band at a festival in Bristol on a very hot Sunday afternoon. 5 degrees cooler and I would have done what is an absolute must with this one: dance! Fresh electro pop rock straight from the early eighties, transported into the 21th century with great energy and a happy holiday vibe – impossible to stay still, impossible to stay serious and /or grumpy – it’s just too good.
Dancy, fun, energetic, good drive – and the live fun is brought straight onto cd.
A little bit of OMD, a little bit of Magazine and a lot of rock, new and interesting enough to satisfy a slightly older audience, who might still remember the early eighties, rocky enough to go well with the indie rock audience who just likes the sound of the eighties - go buy and dance!
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electro pop rock straight from the early eighties, transported into the 21th cen
author: Heike Harding-Reyland
I stumbled upon this band at a festival in Bristol on a very hot Sunday afternoon. 5 degrees cooler and I would have done what is an absolute must with this one: dance! Fresh electro pop rock straight from the early eighties, transported into the 21th century with great energy and a happy holiday vibe impossible to stay still, impossible to stay serious and /or grumpy its just too good.
Dancy, fun, energetic, good drive and the live fun is brought straight onto cd.
A little bit of OMD, a little bit of Magazine and a lot of rock, new and interesting enough to satisfy a slightly older audience, who might still remember the early eighties, rocky enough to go well with the indie rock audience who just likes the sound of the eighties - go buy and dance!
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catchy, cool retro
author: Kevin from Bristol Rocks
This is sooo good. A CD in black that looks like a vinyl record, it even has grooves on the top. I love this, I have been showing it to people! The CD 'Red Light Go' and its cardboard sleeve are without doubt the most original packaging that I have seen!
So what of the content? RLG play retro synth music in the style of Gary Numan et al.
'Must be true' is the first track and I love this as much as the packaging. This track is simply brilliant, it is well recorded and if it is possible to be 'Retro Original', this is what it is.
Track 2 'Funny little dance' does what it says on the label. So listen to it and dance. In a funny little way.
'Bright idea' is more of a guitar based track. I prefer the retro synth stuff. Next track please!
'Was it You'......Ahh, that's better, catchy, cool retro synth.
'Face it'.....More of the same, catchy, cool retro!
As for the rest of the tracks, all excellent.
You have to get a copy of this CD. Show the brilliant design/artwork to your chums and wack the CD in the car stereo. Remember that you got this tip from Bristol Rocks!
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