Album Notes

This album has a sound unlike any other. It’s rare that you hear flat-out rock and roll attitude supported by innovative synthesizers, and in this reincarnation the band pulls it off brilliantly with truly unique style.

The Reds began in Philadelphia in the late seventies as one of the most powerful guitar and keyboard-based bands of the late New Wave. Several albums later, they evolved into this album’s duo of Rick Shaffer on electric guitar and vocals, and Bruce Cohen on keyboards, backed by Mike Thorne's rhythm and synthesizers. They made further recordings for Sire, their music being featured in early episodes of Miami Vice.

One of the most forceful combinations ever of rock+roll attitude and tough synthesizers, ‘Cry Tomorrow’ is a reworked version of their outstandingly powerful 1992 release on independent alternative label Tarock Music. It’s a menacingly modern sound, worthy of far greater exposure. With an immediately identifiable sound, the combination of droning keyboards and guitar and Shaffer's haunting vocals, they deliver hooks that creep insidiously into memory.

The atmosphere ranges from introspective moody to flat-out aggressive. On some tracks, the group is backed by some of New York's notable session vocalists. Particular standouts are the title track, ’Cry Tomorrow’, ‘Torn And Frayed’, the sinister ‘Waiting For You’ (featured spectacularly in Michael Mann’s ‘Manhunter’ movie), and a radical take of the Rolling Stones' ‘Gimme Shelter’. Take a listen, don’t just take our word for it.

Rick Shaffer: lead vocals, guitars
Bruce Cohen: synthesizers
Tish and Snooky: backing vocals
BJ Nelson, Tawatha Agee, Gina Taylor: backing vocals
Valerie Ghent: backing vocals
Mike Spain: percussions, marimba
Mike Thorne: rhythm, synthesizers

Produced by Mike Thorne

Running time: 43 minutes.
With 16-page full color booklet

Much more detail at the Stereo Society website (see link at left)