"Now I may not Be Quick"

I have to laugh to myself when I read the negative reviews on this CD. Calling this stuff "bubble gum" or "watered down"? The problem with most of todays music is that it is melodically challenged. Yet record industry's abandonment of "good good...good rock'n'roll" has left us with Avril Lavigne as one of rock's sole artist with commercial viability. Is this where we want rock to be represented on the radio? Rock need's roots and the Wall Flower's should owe no apologies for their's. These naysayers should thank The Wall Flower's for "representing" (in the english sense of the word). Great lyrics, awesome mood capturing melodies, heartfelt vocal delivery and no "fronting" (now there's a novel idea).

intelligent and musical

Like BDTH, the lyrics in this album are smart! ---("emo" rockers: do all your songs have the same subject? Answer: yes.) --- And yet again, the music is remarkable. I did miss the presence of some nice lap steel solos like on Invisible City, but the superb way in which all the instruments work together sends a shiver down my spine! This album is a great variety of powerful rock (everybody out of the water) to a mellow anecdote (here in pleasantville). I also enjoy the accompaniment of Courtney Kaiser on 9. Overall, who couldn't like this CD?

Jacob Dylan's more experimental side

I've had The Wallflowers Bringing Down the Horse for a few months now, so I couldn't resist when I saw Red Letter Days in the used CD store. I had heard some mixed things about Red Letter Days, but I thought I really can't call myself a Wallflowers fan if I don't give their other albums a chance. Like one of my friends was afraid to listen to OK Computer because she was afraid it wouldn't be as good as The Bends and it would turn her against Radiohead. Obviously that would be a dreadful mistake since OK Computer is just as good if not better than The Bends.



So the story is I bought it, took it home and started listening. I was kind of disappointed by the first track, "When You're On Top." It started off with this weird synth keyboard thing that sounded scarily techno. I know you don't want to be compared to your daddy Jacob Dylan, but don't go that direction please. Thankfully, the scary techno stopped as I got further into the song. Still not my favorite..(c'mon "I need some air nobody's been breathin'...those lyrics are child's play.)



Track two got them on my good side again. There's a darkness in "How Good It Can Get" that I didn't really hear throughout Bringing Down the Horse. I like moody, melodic music obviouly judging by the bands I listen to religiously (Radiohead, Jeff Buckley,Ours, Tori Amos...etc..) There is still a tinge of hope in lyrics like "We'll make a lover of you yet." Yet the music set to the song is hardly the light hearted, upbeat fare found on their 1996 album that I already enjoy.



"Closer To You" is probably my new favorite Wallflowers tune. Its soo pretty when Jacob uses his upper range with a delicate piano background. Its not like the vocal acrobatics of Jimmy Gnecco, but honestly as much as I love that man's voice, I don't think I'd want him screaming at me outside my window or anything. Jacob's voice is so sweet and heartfelt in this song, I'd definatly make out with him if he was under my window (I'd climb out the window first of course because blow kisses just don't cut it.)



Then bam...comes "Everbody Out of the Water" like a lightning bolt out of a gentle rain storm. I heard Michael McCreedy from Pearl Jam was in a on a few of the tracks for this album. I'm guessing this is one of them because this song almost doesn't sound like the Wallflowers since its so far off their usual music path. Not that this is a bad thing; I like bands that aren't afraid to experiment with their sound..that means they still have what it takes as musicians to keep it fresh. I don't want Bringing Down the Horse rehashed 20 more times even though I enjoy it.



There's some nice harmonies happening on "Three Ways." One of the more laidback tunes on this album and I enjoy the simplicity of the lyrics. Then there are couple duds. Maybe they will grow on me eventually, but "If You Never Got Sick" is really dull. I wasn't drawn in by the music or the lyrics. We're not even going to get into the cheesy backup singers on "Health and Happiness"..what could have been a decent song was very over produced and therefore lost its intensity and focus.



Onto better things...I'm always relieved to skip over those two tracks and listen to "Feels Like Summer" and "Everything I Need"...songs with catchy, dark melodies that are okay to get stuck in your head. I really like the levels and layers of guitars and bass on these two tracks...keep experimenting with this Jacob. Your acoustic stuff is great, but the guitars on this song and throughout most of the album are excellent.



"Here In Plesantville" goes back to the acoustic stylings of Bringing Down the Horse. It is a nice song, it just doesn't seem to fit very well with the rest of the album's more electric, experimental theme. I do enjoy the string section on this one though. I'll learn to deal with it not fitting with the other songs.



The album closes with a song entitled "Hidden Track"...I saw it was also called "Empire In My Mind" on different sites. It's one of my favorites (behind "Closer to You") on this album. A perfect closing song...I just love everything about it: the lyrics "I cannot deny there's a darkness deep inside"; the music (rhythmically driven, acoustic and electric guitars mixed to brilliant effect), and the heart-wrenching vocals from Jacob Dylan.



Final Say: I think, with time I'll like Red Letter Days even better than Bringing Down the Horse...although I really can't compare the two since they are so very different. Buy it if you have the cash and if you already have it, you'll understand the points I made in my review hopefully. I'm really glad I have this in my collection now...now comes the wait for The Wallflowers next album. Can't wait to hear what Jacob does on that one!