Researching The Blues
Redd Kross · 2012
31 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock
Energetic power pop infused with punk sensibilities and sharp, melodic hooks that evoke a nostalgic yet fresh sound.
Top tracks — play these first
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Researching the Blues — The title track encapsulates the album's essence with its vibrant guitar riffs and introspective lyrics, setting the tone for the band's return.
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Stay Away from Downtown — This track combines upbeat melodies with a sense of urgency, reflecting on themes of disconnection and nostalgia within urban life.
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Dracula's Daughter — With its playful lyrics and infectious chorus, this song showcases the band's knack for blending humor with compelling pop-punk elements.
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One of the Good Ones — This track highlights emotional depth amidst catchy hooks, illustrating the band’s ability to balance lightness with more serious themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases energetic melodies and clever lyrics but lacks strong cohesion in its pacing.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy title track that sets a brisk pace, which is maintained through the first half before slowing down slightly in the latter tracks.
- Several songs feature layered vocal harmonies and call-and-response sections, enhancing the melodic hooks throughout.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo sing-alongs
- playful themes for lighthearted moods
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- vibrant energy for social settings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer long, introspective pieces
- seeking deep emotional weight
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2012, Researching The Blues marked Redd Kross's first album in over a decade, following their 1997 project, Show World. This album came during a period of renewed interest in the band, as they re-emerged after a long hiatus and lineup changes, showcasing their evolution while retaining their signature style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Posies· Big Star· Teenage Fanclub
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Uglier
The verses confront societal standards of beauty directly through candid reflections on self-image and acceptance.
By addressing personal insecurities in such a raw manner, the writing challenges conventional norms while inviting listeners to embrace authenticity.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Researching the Blues 3:52
- 2 Stay Away from Downtown 3:38
- 3 Uglier 3:52
- 4 Dracula's Daughter 3:06
- 5 Meet Frankenstein 1:48
- 6 One of the Good Ones 2:32
- 7 The Nu Temptations 3:37
- 8 Choose to Play 3:09
- 9 Winter Blues 2:26
- 10 Hazel Eyes 3:49
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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