Red 7 - s/t

Name:Red 7
Album: s/t
Year:1985
Style: Power Pop, New Wave

Similar Bands: Journey, Code Blue, Police
"One-Word" Review: Futuristic Radio Power Pop
Based Out Of: San Fran, CA
Label: MCA 

Cover, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

Red 7 (1985)

1. Relentless 3:58 (single)
2. Heartbeat 4:17 (single)
3. No Sorry 3:24 (single)
4. Less Than Perfect 4:12
5. The Way 5:09 (single) /
6. This Dark Hour 4:37
7. Questions and Answers 4:09
8. Let Me Use You 3:35
9. Shades of Grey 4:12
10. Can't Much Anymore 5:02

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Mike Rutherford - Producer, Bass, Choir (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics, Anon all credits)
• Don Gehman - Co-Producer, Mixing, Engineer
• Andy Prieboy - Music, Lyrics (Wall of Voodoo)
• Michael Becker - Music, Keys Backing Vox (Eye Protection, Stevan Pasero, Christopher Bock)
• Gene Stashuk - Music, Lyrics, Guitar, Lead Vox (euGENE WENDELL, Mike + the Mechanics, Ronnie Montrose, Isley Brothers, Toni Childs, The Unspoken Word, Bonnie Raitt)
• Paul Revelli - Drums, Backing Vox (Elvis Costello, Chuck Prophet, Bey Paule Band, Joe Lewis Walker, RX, Markus James, Anthony Paule, Cat McLean, Rusty Zinn, Sista Monicam Red House Painters, Chris Michie, Maria Muldaur, Go Go Market, Mark Hummel, John Vanderslice, Tom Heyman, Angela Strehli, Bill Cutler, Elvin Bishop, Might Mike Schermer Band, Blues Broads, Frank Bey, Anthony Paule, Sammy Hagar, Bill Kirchen, Austin De Lone, Nancy Wright )
• Bonnie Spark - Lyrics
• David Tickle - Engineer, Fairlight Programming, Choir (U2, Eric Johnson, Lost At Last)
• Geoff Callingham - Asst Engineer, Choir (Genesis)
• Ian Morace - Asst Engineer
• Peter Smith - Asst Engineer
• Greg Edward - Engineer
• Greg Dorman - Asst Engineer
• Julian Stoll - Asst Engineer
• Greg Fulgintini - Mastering
• Anne Wenzel-Banks - Choir
• Samantha Clayden - Choir
• Clare Newman - Choir
• Caroline Garnett - Choir
• Andy Barclay - Choir
• Dale Newman - Choir (Anthony Phillips, Mike Rutherford, Steve Hackett)
• Jeff Adamoff - Art Direction
• Marty Cohen - Direction, MGMT

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. This was one of the first TSM albums i got, so finally getting to the later letters. Per the promo sticker four of the first five tracks were potential singles. I like the sleek logoed "7," looking like a racing stripe, pasted on the black background. Simple, clean design, futuristic and mysterious with a little dangerous intensity. The band photo on the back, layered over the same logo gives a cold, archaic feel. I'm hoping the music taps into the future electronic aspects of the artwork, and this is a fun synth heavy new wave album.

Album Review: This is a very weird album. On one hand, there are a lot of fun time signatures and driving songs with keys and cold war synth effects. But on the other hand, the guitar and vocals are like a typical greasy, back alley Miami Vice power pop band of the 80's. Point in fact, their single "Heartbeat" found its way to be on Miami Vice (as well as 1986's film Manhunter).  And "Less Than Perfect" is featured in one of my favorite childhood films, Explorers. But back to the band: imagine Steve Perry fronting the Residents on the song "No Sorry" or occasionally sounding like Devo on "Let Me Use You" - but i would not classify that as their overall sound. "This Dark Hour" has a strong Police vibe. Mike Rutherford was a big help to the band on their first record, and he would have produced their second if it were not for his touring schedule with Genesis- a decision forced by MCA that ultimately led to the demise of the band under the forced misguided pressure from the label and production team. 

Stand Out Track: No Sorry, Let Me Use You

Links:

spotify full album

Youtube Full Album
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Miami Vice Fandom

Steve Hoffman Music Forum

Tampa Bay news site

nickels & Dimes Music Interview Stashuk