VEX RED - Start with a Strong Persistent Desire (album) Posted by claire on Thursday, March 7, 2002 The fuse has been lit, as Hampshire quintet, Vex Red hope to set the world alight with their debut album, and when the dynamite blows, its gonna bring everything around it crumpling down. Forget Nu-Metal, this album is distinctively British, and is a reminder of the bare knuckled rock that bands like Magnum used to produce, combined with layered electronics. For the first half of the album, the band wheel out raw angst driven vocals, which are wrapped around power chords and a heavy bass that rattles your spine. The two singles, ‘Itch’ and ‘ Can’t Smile’ both fit into this mould, and have helped to cement the bands reputation as being the front runners of all the emerging British rock/metal acts. Occasionally the pace is slowed, as the band take their lives in their hands, and have a go at a ballardy track such as “Bully Me”. So far so good, and the rock template hasn’t been altered or broken. This isn’t however a straightforward album, and the second half of the album sees the template start to crack. The band starts to relax, stretch their sound and let themselves go. Longer instrumental introductions start to ensue and the sound becomes much richer in texture. “Cause and Solution” is the turning point in proceedings and there is nothing traditional from now on. This is a song that comes across like an abstract instrumental break. It is followed by title track, “Start with a Strong and Persistent Desire” which has soaring vocals and electronic beats, blended with swirling guitars. The result is near perfect, and sounds like a heavier version of ‘Mansun’. Final track “Vert” sounds as though it’s being sung outdoors, the whispery vocals gradually start to build, drawing the listener in. Then suddenly the ground is removed from under your feet and you are hit with a barrage of sound and energy. The album ends in style, leaving you wanting more. If Vex Red are to be successful then they should continue to make forays outside of the parameters of normal rock, after all it worked for The Pixies! In the current climate, the rock diet we are being fed, consists of goofy, commercial American imports, it’s about time that the more serious side of rock was delivered with dignity. Vex Red could be the band to do just that. Greg Thomas