Redline Addiction — Letters

Washington DC’s Red Line: awful.
Redline: Awesome.

Rockville five piece Redline Addiction has released one previous full length album and a handful of EPs since 2008. Newest album Letters (released in late 2010) is a collection of radio friendly pop-rock that began as an acoustic four song EP. However, things changed in the recording studio, and the finished product ended up as a nine song album that includes four solely acoustic songs. Despite the fact that the album veers from acoustic to electric songs with the full band, Letters flows really well.

The band is joined on the album by a collection of several other musicians, who are credited as The District Revival. These guests go a long way in adding texture to the tracks, as Alida Born does with some mournful cello on album opener “Sadie.” The District Revival is put to greatest use on “Shelter,” an wonderfully loud song on which lead singer Rob Robinson howls to be heard over the head-on collision of guitars and percussion.

The stripped down sound suits Redline Addiction: from start to finish, this is an enjoyable listen with no filler tracks. Though the band is planning a louder, harder rock record to be released later this year, it would be nice to see then explore this sound a little more in the future. Definitely pick up Letters if you get a chance.