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Album Review
by Isus Anarkhos
5-3-2002
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| Vex Red |
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Vex Red: 'Start With A Strong And Persistent Desire'
(I Am/Virgin)
Vex Red try hard but calling it mediocrity is a compliment
This is not good time for Vex Red to release their disc, ‘Start With A Strong And Persistent Desire’, as it trails the news that their label has severed its connection with Virgin, Amen have left as well, and Ross Robinson (the guy behind I Am Recordings and many productions) is going to even change the name of it before signing with some other corporate. (The artwork contains I Am Recordings logo…) Will Vex Red get the support or, perhaps, they are going to be as welcome as persistent guests after a long party…
Unfortunately, there is precious little to endear them, starting with the pratty title, although the song it is named after shows certain cohesion. Vex Red’s debut album, delayed for a couple of weeks – probably until it was being decided whether to keep them on Virgin or not – is a mixed bag of floatsome and jetsam. Like the opener, ‘The Closest’, there is a nu-metal intro that turns into a Roxy Music-esque passage before an artificial break on the corner of atmospheria.
Vex Red can’t decide whether to be art-rockers or nu-metallers or emo-rockers (check ‘Bully Me’, a contender for No 1 in the US)… So, they take particles from everywhere and cram them into… one song. Well, the art of… erm, art is to know when to leave it out. The economy of expression and control of direction are quite advisable. Sure, uniformed albums are diabolical but discipline is vital to prevent diffusion and, well, indulgence. Over-complicating simply re-formats progressive rockism…
‘Can’t Smile’ is almost like a song Peter Gabriel-period Genesis could have cut. Perhaps Vex Red-ers are desiring to be the Van Der Graaf Generator of their generation? This kind of music didn’t work the first time around, without certain amount of doping or vast quantities of Newcy Broon. If their producer (and label boss, until recently, as discussed above – in case you’ve already taken medication) Ross Robinson [Slipknot, Korn, At The Drive-In, Amen] wanted to create a new Tool, he ended up with a bad version of Filter.
By track four, ‘Untitled’, I was in a need of therapist or someone to explain to me – how come we don’t advertise the time-machine has already been invented!? The Aldershot’s fivesome have a great live reputation, once were touted as the first British signing to I Am Recordings, but have managed to misplace all that’s good about them.
Wrong kind of music at the time that’ll never be right…
5/10
Isus Anarkhos
5-3-2002
Vex Red’s album ‘Start With A Strong And Persistent Desire’ is released 04 March 2002 on I Am Recording/Virgin
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