V E X - R E D -- S t a r t - w i t h - a - s t r o n g - a n d - P e r s i s t e n t - D e s i r e
Written by Vex Red
Produced by Ross Robinson
Released on March 2, 2002
Running length of 47 minutes, 42 seconds
Introduction
In 2000, British rock magazine Kerrang! ran a competition for all unsigned bands in the UK. The prize was a record deal with nu-metal uber lord Ross Robinson. All you had to do was send your tape into Kerrang! and they would call you if you won. Vex Red thought they would send their tape in, just for fun. Cycle a few months later, in the middle of a crap movie, vocalist Terry Abbot got a phone call from Mr. Robinson requesting a small live demonstration (which was apparently shite). They got the deal. They made an album. A good one as well.
Start with a Strong and Persistent Desire is Vex Red's debut album. While slated by many critics (including Kerrang! funnily enough), it is still an exceptional record by any means. Probably what got the album such a low reputation was the hype surrounding it (Ross Robinson has prodcued Korn, Slipknot, Amen amongst others). Personally, I think it lived up to the hype as one heluva godd record.
Vex Red's sound is quite unique. It takes the best bits from Tool, Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails, moldes them together and beates the tar out of it. It is quite an experience. Terry Abbot's soothing voice, coupled with just plain insane guitaring and perfect-timed electronica all come together in one harmonious barrage of noise.
Track Listing:
- The Closest
- Dermo
- Can't Smile
- Untitled
- Itch
- Bully Me
- Cause and Solution
- Start with a Strong and Persistent Desire
- Clone Jesus
- Sleep Does NOthing For You
- Vert
For reference, Vex Red are:
- Terry Abbot - Vocals/Guitar
- Ant Forbes - Guitar/Keyboards
- Nick Goulding - Guitar/Bass
- Kieth Lambert - Bass/Programming/Keyboards
- Ben Calvert - Drums
Sleeve Art
The sleeve art inside the cover shows a simple tale that goes thusly: boy sees girl, girl sees boy, boy 'n' girl get together, girl gets with another boy, boy gets depressed and scared for life. This reflects the overall depressive feel of the album. Also, a lot of the songs are about relationships gone bad and mistrust between people. The artwork is, while simplitic, quite effective in the way it delivers the story.
Song Meanings
Note: If you would like to contribute your feelings toward any of these songs, or you think I may be wrong, /msg me and I'll add it.
All song meanings are noded with the lyrics, just to avoid churning out the same thing over again.
RECOMMENDED TRACKS
- The Closest
- Itch
- Cause and Solution
- Sleep Does Nothing For You
- Vert
Ignore the critics. Ignore Kerrang!. Ignore everyone who says it's bad. You may like it.
LYRICS
Start with a Strong and Persistent Desire
Written and Performed by Vex Red
Produced by Ross Robinson
Taken from the album Start with a Strong and Persistent Desire
Need some time, To disinfect
To purify what you have left
It's all I ever claim to be
You ripped and fell away from me
They said "it's alright"
They said "you're alright"
I wish they knew what you have done
No, You killed it, Why?
You'll hate yourself , No
You killed it
Why? Why?
Cut you down
I trusted you,
You'd never lie
I need some time to purify
They said "it's alright"
They said "you're alright"
I wish they knew
I wish they'd cut you down
No, You killed it, Why?
You'll hate yourself No
You killed it
Why? Why ?
You are the pain. You are the hurt, You are the hate
You are the pain. You are the hurt, You are the hate
You are the pain. You are the hurt, You are the hate
You are the pain. You are the hurt, You are the hate
You are the pain. You are the hurt, You are the hate
You are the pain. You are the hurt, You are the hate
This is the eigth track off Vex Red's debut album Start with a Strong and Persistent Desire. This song seems to be about someone making fun of the band for being rubbish etc. And how Terry claims that it has destroyed the desire to go on. Starts out well enough, but the chorus is a bit too pick and mix. However, the end virtually makes this the most emotional fueled song on the album, as Terry screams (the only time on the album) "You are the pain, you are the hurt, you are the hate", only to be drowned out by the musical onslaught of the rest of the band. It really dents your ears in.
Lyrics by Terry Abbot
Produced by Ross Robinson
Mixed and Engineered by Mike Fraser
Assistant Engineer: Mike "Quizzo" Terry
© Copyright 2002 Virgin Records America, Inc.