Red Scare – Release Date: 2/15/11
The Heat Tape is Red Scare’s latest signing and features Brett Hunter of Copyrights and Dear Landlord fame on guitar and vocals. Unlike the aforementioned bands, The Heat Tape is a decidedly lo-fi affair that enjoys a definite garage rock vibe. They’re certainly different than a lot of what’s out there today, making them a good fix for those in search of something new. The album begins with “Spend It”, a song that’s fondly reminiscent of The Thermals, and quickly segues into a tune about turning 30 called “21st Century Turd”. “Rich Man” is a fuzzed-out gem with some of the record’s best hooks, while “Ah Ha Ah” ups the tempo and packs some serious punch in two minutes flat. “Feel No Good” and “Crackin’ Up” evoke a ‘90s alternative mood, and “Idle Man” closes the disc with the band rockin’ out and firing on all cylinders. There really isn’t a weak link to be found amongst these 12 tracks, and the fact that they flow together makes it really easy to listen to from start to finish. Beneath the unpolished recording and distorted vocals lies what matters most, which is quality songwriting, and it’s found in abundance on Raccoon Valley Recordings. This is absolutely a solid debut that’s worth checking out promptly.
