TAROCK MUSIC

Somewhere in the nobands land between heavy metal chauvinism and Anglophilic post-punk snobbishness stand The Reds, that rare species of American group (Philadelphia in this case) with the spirit to go to extremes, the smarts to get there, and a sense of the rock and roll tradition that got them to the starting gate.  Consider a singer combining Ian Curtis’ tortured monotonic cant and the grandstanding primal scream of Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander, and a guitar-bass-drums axis capable of taking on the manic panic of vintage Stooges and the rapier thrust of classic Blue Oyster Cult.

Stronger Silence recorded in early 1980 but stuck in limbo during the bust-up of the groups one-LP romance with A&M, and a long frustrating search for a better deal — is championship heavy metal, a potent expression of rage and defiance that works you over good, but leaves you coming back for more.  There’s certainly no arguing with the opening volley of The Danger or powerful uppercuts like the hyper-tensive funk-up It’s Not The Same Thing or the drill-press bamalama of I Don’t Know.

If The Reds have a battle ahead of them with British audiences, it is because they cater neither to the Motorheadbangers or the PIL-heads, but chart a daring course between the two, an extreme in itself.

• David Fricke, Melody Maker, United Kingdom, 1981

Some groups play at being moody romantics, others pretend to be psychedelic; The Reds play for keeps.  Stronger Silence is tough, modern rock, relentlessly fierce and amazingly free of the self-consciousness that cripples for many of the smart newcomers.  Do You Play The Game and No More capture extreme emotional agitation perfectly, yet retain an articulate edge.  Get ready to be overwhelmed.

• Jon Young, Hit & Run, Trouser Press, 1981

After releasing their first album for A&M [a real stunner] one would certainly be tempted to squeeze out another pretty similar record.  However, the band chooses a road not often taken. They open with the ominous hard rocking The Danger and pull a really nice downshift into a melodic Stronger Silence the effect being a six minute.tune.  Don’t Let Go is a really huge sounding song with a terrific Rick Shaffer guitar solo. Bruce Cohen’s It’s Not The Same Thing allows for a nice guitar solo which doesn’t over run the tune.  I don’t Know is another Shaffer song and allows room for a rippling solo.

Stronger Silence is a huge creative jump for the Reds.  Bruce Cohen’s keyboards can trade leads, accent, or pull back. The limber rhythm section of Tommy Geddes and Jim Peters play with heartfelt conviction.  The lyrics are first rate.  Songs deal with discord, conflict, and suicide, but reflect both timeless human concerns and life in a violent, recession ridden welfare state.  The haunting Just A Second on side 2 includes a command to close your eyes which sets up Bruce Cohen’s superb keyboard conclusion piece Signal.  Everything works here; Creative songwriting involving all, terrific playing, fresh arranging, a powerful and clear front man and kudos to those who ran the board.  Absolutely Perfect!

• Allan J. Moore, Vinyl History, 1981

Dropped into semi-obscurity by A&M, who has no sympathy toward anyone who doesn’t sound similar to the commercial formula Joe Jackson, or The Police, after their debut album and EP, The Reds® tied with the Canadian label Stony Plain and, hopefully, an alliance in the fight against anonymity.

Their second LP, Stronger Silence, still feeds itself from the cold chalice of the restlessness signified by the abnormal and spirited presence of the electronic keyboard of Bruce Cohen, and more generally feeds from a musical association reminiscent of the psychedelic heavy sound of the early ‘70’s (who can remember the hypnotic Breach Of Lease in 1971 by Third Blood Rock?) with the vocal sound of guitarist Rick Shaffer, who sounds much like Eric Bloom of Blue Oyster Cult.

The group is not changed as far as their preceding efforts.  The sound chemistry is not fundamentally different, although one can distinguish a trend toward the modern dance of It’s Not The Same Thing, and the funky psychotic processions in Killing You are still more convincing considering the mess of substitutions that usually play this musical genre.  The Danger and Do You Play The Game repeat the violent representation in their opening passages, which was also a specialty of their first album.  On Stronger Silence The Reds® give a touch of magic to an intelligent composition, which reminds somewhat of early Tom Petty.

Among the significant cuts, I also like The Signal, an imaginative space-rock instrumental.  One can only look to the stars to justify the disinterest in the Philadelphia-based band, because they are most certainly superior to the average new wave band.

∎ Rockerilla Magazine, Rome, Italy, 1981

RECOMMENDED LP’s — STRONGER SILENCE BY THE REDS

Once on A&M and now (1981) recording on the Canadian label, Stony Plain, The Reds play the kind of music that commands your attention if nothing else.  Power guitar licks and urgently delivered rockers are the order here.

Best Cuts:: The Danger, Stronger Silence, Do You Play The Game

Producer: Joe McSorley