Red Collar – Pilgrim Review
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You know that feeling you get after you’ve been through something long and trying and you finally get the chance to be alone just relax for a little while? That feeling of reassurance that you can finally rest not just your body but your mind as well? And maybe, just maybe, things might actually get better, if only because you have some time to plan your next moves in the battle for your life.
The opening track of Red Collar’s self released album “Pilgrim” invokes that feeling, an overwhelming sense of catharsis. It does all that and more while not forgetting that feeling better requires feeling bad and how much hard work plays a role in seeking catharsis. It’s not easy to just start feeling better.
Remember being a teenager, and feeling the words of a song being written for you exclusively for your present life situation? Does that song hold the test of time? Do you listen to the music you listened to when you were a teenager?
Hidden in Red Collar’s lyrics are things that I relate to and I think the majority of people no matter what type of music they prefer can relate to. Risking everything and trying new things with uncertain results. Making tough decisions and then questioning them
Do you think that aggressive music typically lacks emotion (besides anger) and oftentimes expresses what emotions it has poorly? Can dissonance be catchy? The problem with pop music is that it mostly sounds disingenuous. A copy of a copy. It’s hard to do pop music and sound original. I know most people would not call Red Collar a pop only band, but I’m just trying to sell the hardcore and metal fans who read this that “Pilgrim” is the real deal and that no one is going to think you aren’t manly enough to like this band. Sure they aren’t brootal, but it’s fast and has teeth like a punk band.
No filler, no crap. All good. Like albums should be. Also, this band has a blog worth reading which is rare. In the blog and the music, you never get the feeling that these guys are trying to be to be uber cool, or even that they are uber cool. Because being cool does not mean being credible. Red Collar is truly accessible while remaining challenging. Forget all that Grizzly Bear Collective Panda garbage everyone is so into these days, it’s not going to stand the test of time like this Red Collar album.
