Kurt is going through his favorite records. Read the explainer or view the master list.
Artist: Redd Kross
Title: Researching The Blues
Released: 2012
Genre: power pop
Redd Kross started out in 1980 as Red Cross, a punk band whose first gig was opening for Black Flag. They remained active for seventeen years, putting five albums and three EPs, swapping out members, and changing the spelling of their name. 2012's Researching The Blues was their reunion record, and they've remained active since, although in a low-key kind of way. I mean... it's not like you knew who they were before this post.
Title notwithstanding, Researching The Blues is not in any obvious way influenced by the blues. It's straight up power-pop. High-tempo, fun, guitar-driven, danceable, and catchy. It's got an English garage rock vibe with some extraneous lead-guitar noodling. The best songs are the title track (embedded above), four-on-the-floor stomper Uglier, New-Wave aping The Nu Temptations, and album closer Hazel Eyes. The entire thing is fun and it's only 32 minutes, so check the whole thing out if you have the opportunity.
Further Listening: They have a lot of other music, but nothing else I've heard has jumped out at me the way this album does. Might merit further investigation.
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