The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

It's all of 12 seconds before Red Jumpsuit commence their full-blown shred, announcing the chops-heavy, melodic rock that dominates their sophomore release with Duke Kitchens' lightening speed finger-tapping. While most of the record feels like an anticipated progression from Don't You Fake It, the songs that lie beneath the ripping are better in every way -- they're hookier, more concise, more dynamic, more ... everything. From the churning rhythm of "Pen & Paper" to the stadium riff of "Pleads and Postcards," the whole package shows a band that deliverers on its huge potential.

"Sometimes, to do what's right/You must walk alone," sings Ronnie Winter on the third
album from the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, a Florida quartet who quietly went platinum last
time out. Winter goes for inspirational platitudes all over Lonely Road, which suits a band
that thanks God in its liner notes. But despite a couple of winners — see the very catchy,
Fall Out Boy-ish "Step Right Up" — little in RJA's tunes inspires. The band skips bet... More >