Artist: Red
Album: End of Silence
Label: Sony/BMG; Provident; Essential
Tracks: 11
Length: 47:00
Review by: John Durkee

There are only a few conclusions that I could come to about Red. When they have a cover that looks like it does, three different record labels supporting it (one huge, one big within the CCM music industry and another one within that same industry), and of course this photo:

You only have a couple thoughts in mind. First, this band looks like a total joke (no offense, but even if you like their music, which isn't really terrible, you have to admit this press photo is hilarious). Second, this is a Christian band that label execs are hoping to be a cross over hit. There's no other reason that Sony/BMG would put it's name on a debut CCM album.

With that said, I can see why Sony/BMG would make that bet. Red is very good at following clichés. End of Silence is full of songs that mix elements of Evanescence, Linkin Park (without rapping) and Chevelle. This fact is painfully obvious on "Breath Your Life Into Me" which almost completely like Evanescence's big hit "Bring Me to Life." All the song is missing is Amy Lee and that rap guy from 12 stones.

To be fair Red does have some very good elements here and there. Production wise, there are nice classical undertones in the form of strings and piano interspersed throughout the album. Vocally there are a lot of dynamics and for the most part they are performed well, rather than overbearing like Nickelback or the aforementioned Evanescence. Lyrically the album is pretty predictable and like most CCM rock acts (pain, loneliness, confusion, with a backdrop that there is redemption), but at the same time is the sort of record that many youth group kids will really embrace (and any other junior high or high school kid for that matter).

If Sony/BMG's bet on Red makes dividends, get ready to hear Red all over the radio. If not, get ready to hear them all over the CCM world because these guys are backed well with an extremely accessible record. In fact, this may be one of the Christian markets most accessible records in a long while, although in this case the nu-rock trend might be too close to its end for Red to be the success that the suits want them to be.

If you like mainstream rock, this is great stuff, nothing new, but good at all the typical elements of hit radio. If you want something a little more creative or from a genre not as saturated, I'd pass.