In a world of “here today, gone tomorrow”  with bands that follow in suite as their predecessors, it’s hard to inject a bit of pure honesty into any review that lacks meaning or that spark that ignites the human emotion.

It is rare to find an album that captures the true essence of the self-realization experienced through heartache, loss, determination, forgiveness, redemption, and the strength of the human spirit.

At first listen to Redlight King’s, “Something For The Pain”, one cannot help but feel that behind the rhyming lyrics, catchy beats, and memorable choruses there is something more that pulls at the soul of the listener.

To simply say that this is another great album would be an injustice and an understatement to the integrity put forth by frontman Kaz.  Kaz and company have provided more than songs that are noteworthy or memorable for radio, but songs that tell unique  stories that any individual can relate to through the spark of human emotion and experience.

I will attempt to provide the best review I can for this band, but I believe whatever words I construct will fall short of my efforts because no amount of words can truly express what is felt when listening to Redlight King’s music. I present to you the dark horse that is”¦.Redlight King.

The opening track, “Something For The Pain”, is the perfect introduction to let listeners know what is in store for them on this album. Instantly, any listener can relate to the opening lyrics of the song: Some days you get the feeling/Of hitting the concrete/Get the strain out of your life/What about your life/You’re getting nervous cause the purpose/Is hidden you can’t see.   What catches the listener is the unique rhythmic lyrics during the verses, bridge, and choruses in combination with the different musical tones of the song. Redlight King seems to pull musical inspiration from several genres such as pop, rock, alternative, and ambient in which it truly gives the listener something for the pain.

“City Life”, is probably one of the most honest tracks on the whole album due to the true nature of its lyrical content. Kaz seems to conjure up  lyrics from the hardships of those who have struggled and who are looking for hope in a darkened world.   The chorus Just another day in the city life/Just another day where we live or die/We’re all praying through the smoke filled sky seems to focus on the dark realities that many of us face as human beings, but Kaz seems to offer a positive resolution to overcome such obstacles  with the lyrics: There’s no need to be nervous/We were born to fight/Sons and daughters we can take it outside.

Another track that will  deluge the listener  with  musical vehemence  is the song, “Underground”.   This song blisters with energy and power that will make any listener raise their fist toward the sky. The combination of ambient/heavy guitar tones, fist pumping choruses, and larger than life sound makes this a powerhouse of a song. Most importantly, this song characterizes the strength of the human spirit displayed through Kaz’s scintillating lyrics: If you’ve been knocked out behind closed doors/Then come through the desert and name your horse/Rebuild the course and rewrite all the rules/Cause we weren’t born to lose.

The song, “Comeback”, is one of the standout tracks on this album as a whole. It is very hard to acknowledge this as being a standout track amongst an album of eclectic songs, but “Comeback” is a song that inspires the drive of human emotion and determination. The verse: I know how it feels when I haven’t got a friend/Even when they’re standing beside me/I know how it feels when the world is gonna end/But they’ll see  is a testament of Kaz’s ability to craft a song that inspires any listener to believe that there is hope and redemption. This song alone is the pinnacle of  what Redlight King represents and tries to convey throughout the entire album, the will and determination of the human spirit.

In retrospective, “Something For The Pain”, is more than just a  collection of  radio  friendly hits.  Words cannot easily describe or render a perfect explanation for this album, but  can only be explained through the power of listening to it with an open mind and heart.    Redlight King has presented more of masterpiece of construed words and lyrics that captures the true essence of the self-realization experienced through heartache, loss, determination, forgiveness, redemption, and the strength of the human spirit.   It’s not the fact that this album has a collection of well crafted songs, appeals to listeners from multiple backgrounds, or has musical diversity, but that it is the honesty that each song displays through rich storytelling presented by Kaz and company. It will be interesting to see how Redlight King will progress as a band, but if “Something For The Pain”, is any indication for what is to come, then the dark horse that is Redlight King is something that is built to last.

Redlight King - Something For The Pain, 4.2 out of 5 based on 5 ratings

1. Reviewer

   John says

   February 4, 2012, 3:59 am

   This is a really great listen and I enjoyed it very much.

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Redlight King - Something For The Pain, 4.2 out of 5 based on 5 ratings

Welcome to another edition of the Five and Five, where we interview the rock artists of tomorrow, today.

This installment of the Five and Five comes from Hamilton, ON’s very own  Kaz from Redlight King  who’s new album, “Something For The Pain”, is lighting up the airwaves.

Part I:

KC: How did you come up with the band name?

RK: It was initially inspired by my father’s first race car built in the early 70′s.   He called it The Redlight Bandit.   Redlight King is a term for people who break the rules, and regardless of the odds, stand by the decisions they make; and continue to push those boundaries regardless of the outcome.

KC: What artists/bands/songs/albums influenced you?

RK: As far as songs go, I could go on forever.   My personal influences are very eclectic, some of them being Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Led Zeppelin, Queen, A Tribe Called Quest, Everlast, The Roots, The Pharcyde, Nine Inch Nails, Nirvana

KC: What are you listening to right now?

RK: Bands like Thrice, Middle Class Rut, Rise Against, Mutemath, Tv On The Radio, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Foo Fighters, Black Keys, The Seeds, etc.

KC: What’s your favorite show/performance been as a band?

RK: There have been some really great shows. On our third time through Tucson, AZ we had the crowd screaming and moshing in the first song.   It was a great feeling.

KC:    If I want people to remember one song from our band, it would be…

RK: I’m not sure I could answer this.   I want people to take what they will from this record and their listening experience.   I will say that one of the most important songs for me as a writer, and a person, is When The Dust Settles Down.

Part II

KC: What was it like asking for Neil Young’s permission to sample/use Old Man?

RK: It was very personal for me.   I put my heart and soul into the remake.   My only hope was that he would give it a real listen.   He’s a remarkable songwriter.

KC: What type of inspiration(s) do you draw upon to be creative?

RK: All kinds.   I listen to a lot of music, new and old, and not genre specific.   Tattoo culture, Car culture, Fine art. Sometimes a conversation can inspire a song.   Sometimes I draw on emotion from personal relationships.   It really varies.   I try not to question nor over examine it.

KC: What is touring in America like compared to touring in Canada?

RK: I personally dig it.   The main difference is there are more major cities in the US and they are much closer together for travel purposes.   And if you’ve ever played Winnipeg in the middle of winter or trekked up a single lane highway to Whistler with a van and trailer you would understand the difficulties a Canadian tour can throw at you.   Overall, though, it’s not that different.

KC: What has the journey been like becoming a musical artist and signing to a major label like Hollywood records?

RK: I don’t believe I could answer this in short but I’ll try.   Becoming an artist wasn’t something I had a hand in.   It wasn’t my choice.   From as far back as I can remember I was tapped into this indescribable musical stream pulling melodies and lyrics from thin air.   It was what I was put here to do.   I suppose my journey at this point has been a bit chaotic and unstable sorting through life’s twists and turns in order to continue on my artistic path.

KC:    If you could give any advice for an upcoming band or musician, what would it be?

RK: Sometimes you just gotta say ‘fuck it’ and go with your gut.

It was an extreme honor to speak with Kaz because not only is, “Something For The Pain”, a remarkable album but also a true inspiration to all musicians alike who strive to create honesty in their music, and Kaz & company have achieved this and so much more. Be sure to check them out!

 

 

Redlight King - Something For The Pain, 4.2 out of 5 based on 5 ratings