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The Red Krayola, "Red Gold"
Split equally between instrumental and vocal tracks, these six songs wander through a few different neighborhoods, each providing a colorful and distinct snapshot of Mayo Thompson's latest ruminations.
"Paris" opens the disc, its delayed guitars, wheezing accordions, and heavy beat providing a hazy soundtrack appropriate for ambling over cobblestone streets with no particular destination in mind. "Easy Street," on the other hand, is more forceful, powered by a menacing guitar that only occasionally opens into sunnier vistas. "Oh I Was Bad" is a plea for a better hand, preferably face cards rather than numbers. Thompson’s voice doesn’t have perfect pitch yet has its own weary charm, full of knowledge and experience. The last song, "Bong Bong," is a peculiar instrumental with a little guitar and discordant keyboard stabs. It’s as unpredictable as anything else here and shows Thompson resisting complacency as firmly as ever.
With such a far-reaching history and extensive back catalog as the Red Krayola's, finding an entry point can be a daunting challenge. The Red Gold EP doesn’t epitomize the band's vision or career by any means, but it's still a safe and welcoming entry point for the uninitiated that also won’t disappoint the faithful.
