2008 Woodie Awards
The Redwalls is rock 'n' roll's underdog album of the year
Drew Mika
Issue date: 12/7/07 Section: Entertainment
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12/07/07 - For many reading the Cigar, this may be the first time hearing about The Redwalls. Unfortunately, they're not a new band; in fact they could be called, rock 'n' roll's best-kept secret of the past three quarters of a decade.
The band's latest release, self-titled The Redwalls, is the band's third LP album and they have come a long way since their humble beginnings. The four-piece ensemble, which hails from Chicago, Ill., has been a band since 2001.
Originally formed as a Chicago blues band with heavy influences from The Beatles and the rest of the British Invasion, its debut album, Universal Blues, was produced on an indie label.
After the recording, Capitol Records signed them, and in 2005 they released De Nova, their second album. Their most recent release is with Mad Dragon Records. Now, in 2007, having three different records with three different labels, The Redwalls are still struggling for stardom. Either that, or they are the best-kept secret since The Velvet Underground.
With a new drummer driving the band, the album's opening track, "Hangman," begins with the crack of whip. A light vocal and guitar opening ignites the track, and then the drums begin, the tempo speeds up and lead vocalist, Logan Baren, begins to wail "Hey baby are you ready for the Hangman?"
This track launches into the album's major themes: judgment and rejection. Two topics The Redwalls are almost too familiar with. It's obvious through Baren's snarling lyrics- not only on this song, but on the majority of the album - that he's singing to his enemies. He's roaring at the betrayers, the critics, the record executives, and the ex-girlfriends.
A song filled with steady rock riffs, and strong garage rock vocals - it's all on the line "for the Hangman."
On the second track, "Modern Diet," after throwing itself in front of the hangman, the band proceeds to tell him they don't care what he/she has to say. This is the beginning of a concept repeated throughout most of the album: speaking back to the people who put the band down.
The band's latest release, self-titled The Redwalls, is the band's third LP album and they have come a long way since their humble beginnings. The four-piece ensemble, which hails from Chicago, Ill., has been a band since 2001.
Originally formed as a Chicago blues band with heavy influences from The Beatles and the rest of the British Invasion, its debut album, Universal Blues, was produced on an indie label.
After the recording, Capitol Records signed them, and in 2005 they released De Nova, their second album. Their most recent release is with Mad Dragon Records. Now, in 2007, having three different records with three different labels, The Redwalls are still struggling for stardom. Either that, or they are the best-kept secret since The Velvet Underground.
With a new drummer driving the band, the album's opening track, "Hangman," begins with the crack of whip. A light vocal and guitar opening ignites the track, and then the drums begin, the tempo speeds up and lead vocalist, Logan Baren, begins to wail "Hey baby are you ready for the Hangman?"
This track launches into the album's major themes: judgment and rejection. Two topics The Redwalls are almost too familiar with. It's obvious through Baren's snarling lyrics- not only on this song, but on the majority of the album - that he's singing to his enemies. He's roaring at the betrayers, the critics, the record executives, and the ex-girlfriends.
A song filled with steady rock riffs, and strong garage rock vocals - it's all on the line "for the Hangman."
On the second track, "Modern Diet," after throwing itself in front of the hangman, the band proceeds to tell him they don't care what he/she has to say. This is the beginning of a concept repeated throughout most of the album: speaking back to the people who put the band down.