WORDS JANET HARDING
FEEDER
‘ BLACK / RED ‘
RELEASED 5TH APRIL
‘”Black / Red” is the latest album from British alt rock/grunge legends, Feeder; their first ever double album following on from “Torpedo” which was released in March 2022, this is the final chapter in the trilogy. Due for release in April this year, with the promise of “optimism, freedom and possibilities “ with Grant Nicholas (vocal/guitars/writer) describing it as “a musical pilgrimage filled with themes of self discovery and overcoming challenges all wrapped in the Feeder sound of muscular riffs, expansive melodies and raw emotion.”
From the first song this album creates a somewhat “at ease” feeling. The overall sound of both discs is one of uplift, high vibrational, fizzing and effervescent. It’s less grunge feeling than previous Feeder material, but we still have the immersive alt rock identity, it’s just lighter, freer. The vocal is smooth, steady, sunny feeling and bright, taking us from gentle beginnings to more intense sounds, then bringing us with ease throughout each track. It’s a very listenable album, lyrically I see the themes coming through, of not giving up, the obstacles mentioned and overcoming them. Songs are like a shortened version of prog rock, sounds build, layered, textured and multi dimensional and have real soaring guitar lines running through each and every track.
Songs like “Unconditional” and “Sahara” feel anthemic and give real road trip feels, made for sunny days driving down deserted dusty roads with the window down and the music on loud. Often strumming acoustic intros that become an epic sound bath of cosmic, shimmering soundscapes, punctuated with snappy drum beats and undulating yet melodic bass lines.
“Playing with Fire” is attention grabbing; it retains that fuzziness that we know so well from Feeder’s back catalogue. Then during “Soldiers of Love” we have a Celtic, almost folk, feel; real atmosphere is created here, then it gently mutates into rock, cleverly managing to still retain that Celtic charm.
This album, for me anyway, wholly fulfils its brief; all promises are indeed kept and delivered. This IS a very optimistic album; it certainly feels free and does induce a feeling of wider possibilities. It’s expansive, expressive and inspiring, a great soundtrack for motivation. It’s fresh, yet does have that unmistakable Feeder sound which has traversed time through decades easily. A very fitting finale ends perfectly what “Torpedo” had started.
I can wholeheartedly say that once again Feeder have brought it. This album fully lives up to all expectations, but quite honestly I was never in any doubt. Feeder consistently bring it, earning a well deserved reputation.
Another stand out.
8.5 / 10
Track listing:
Disc 1
1/ Droids
2/ Elf
3/ Playing with fire
4/ Vultures
5/ Sahara
6/ Hey you
7/ The knock
8/ Perfume
10/ Al.m^n
11/ Sleeping dogs lie
Disc 2
12/ Scream
13/ Submarine
14/ Lost in wilderness
15/ Memory loss
16/ Unconditional
17/ Here comes the hurricane
18/ Soldiers of love
19/ Ghosts on parade
FOLLOW FEEDER
Music is my lifeblood and writing about this creative force is my passion.Im never happier than at a live gig,festival or listening to music,pen and notebook in hand.
