CD Review: Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Don't You Fake It

Part of: Featured Artist

I was first introduced to Red Jumpsuit Apparatus a couple months ago when they were the opening act at a 30 Seconds to Mars concert I attended. Sometimes it's hard to fully enjoy or appreciate music when you hear it the first time live, especially when it's loud and pounding music and the venue you're in is an old converted warehouse.

RJA01This was not the case with Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. From the moment they took the stage; I knew there was something unique about this very young group of guys and something compelling about the music they were performing. When they announced they were newly signed to Virgin records and their first CD would be coming out this summer, I knew I would be adding Don't You Fake It to my collection.

The first single, "Face Down," is an emotional hard driving song about domestic violence. The video was released to MTV2 (both on channel and online) on June 5th. The song conveys the intense emotional conflict through the musical composition and the scathing lyrics lay it on the line. The chorus sings, "Do you feel like a man, when you push her around? Do you feel better now as she falls to the ground?"

Song writer and lead singer Ronnie Winter says about the song,

Where I come from, you see it when you go to the store, you see it when you stop for a smoke, you see it all the time. It's something everybody sees and doesn't do anything about because they're just so accustomed to it. I was the same way and I was a victim of it. So the best way I could think to get people to not make the same mistake I did was to write about it.

But what is so unique about Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is they can go from a hard driving track to a sensitive power ballad like "Guardian Angel." The song has Winter exposing a soft and vulnerable side pleading his commitment and love. Completely unexpected from a band of this genre is the soothing and full sound of the bass that mourns softly with the delicate background vocals.

Continued on the next page Page 1 — Page 2

Article tags

Spread the word
Bookmark and Share
Profile image for connie-phillips

Article Author: Connie Phillips

Wife, mother, aspiring novelist, and music editor at BC Magazine, Connie Phillips spends most of her time in a fantasy land of her own creating. Contact: Phillips.connie@gmail.com

Visit Connie Phillips's author pageConnie Phillips's Blog

Read comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own
  • No image found
  • No image found

Article comments

  • 1 - Stephanie brooks

    Dec 21, 2006 at 2:24 pm

    OMGLY yoiu guys rule i love you Muahz! XOX i would like love to know what all of your cd's are since me and my friend are doing a project on you making a web page and we need information on you because we dont know that much:( so yeah thxish!

  • 2 - kat

    Jan 09, 2008 at 11:19 am

    omg, no way

  • 3 - Susie Bueller

    Nov 28, 2011 at 5:00 pm

    The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is a truly talented group of men. There songs are not only fun to dance to, but their lyrics are deep and moving. Like the above statement about the song "Face Down", its lyrics are powerful and give a real feeling about being a victim in these situations. It's edgy, but realistic and that's why the song is so good. Another fantastic song is the one titled "Your Guardian Angel" The slow moving love balled is a refreshing change from the bands usual music styling. The lyrics in the song are beautiful and sound as if they come straight from the heart. One can really feel the love Mr.Winter has for this mystery woman. In a conclusion, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is a very well put together band with beautiful lyrics and the heart of poets.

Add your comment, speak your mind

Personal attacks are NOT allowed.
Please read our comment policy.
Please preview your comment.

blogcritics lists for May 26, 2012

fresh articles Most recent articles site-wide

fresh comments Most recent comments site-wide

most comments Most comments in 24hrs

top writers Most prolific Blogcritics for April

top commenters Most prolific Commenters in 24 hrs