Red Pens - Reasons

Genre indie-rock Publisher Grain Belt Records External Links

The Red Pens are definitely alternative, perhaps a little too much so. In their album, Reasons, I could not understand their songs, even when I could manage to make out the lyrics amongst the overzealous electric guitar playing.

Their music has that unpolished, garage band sound to it and they seem to be inspired by odd things, such as blue lighters and baby alligators. Take the lyric, “I found a blue lighter on my way to school.” It must mean something, but whatever it is, I have not figured it out.

However, that odd quality is what the Red Pens has going for them. Their music does not strike any remarkable chord, and at times it simply becomes obnoxious. However, this band is trying to offer a different type of sound which you have to give them credit for.

If only all their songs did not blend together into one very long, electric stream of noise, then maybe I could listen to Reasons all the way through. As it is, though, all the tracks sound completely similar and around track three, the album starts to get pretty annoying.

The Red Pens are funky, they are different, and that works for them because funky and different always has an audience. However, I suggest listening to their album while doing something else because their album lacks variety and you may get bored.