- Storm Warning
- Straight Jacket
- Already Won
- Home
- What About Me
- Run
- Trade Your Dreams
- Elevator
- Wishing For Boardwalk
- Slide
- Broken Hearts
- Saving Grace
- Tonight
A lot of rock albums lately have a tendency towards over-production, which is why there's something almost charming about hearing a debut that's a little more lo-fi every once in a while. But don't mistake lo-fi for low-budget in the case of Red Umbrella. Rather than use all the studio bells and whistles available to them, the "less is more" approach is what makes their debut
Getting things started is the mid-tempo "Storm Warning," a bright, poppy declaration (complete with hand claps) that God will always be there, no matter what someone is going through. And while that theme has definitely been explored before on many a Christian album, these Canadian rockers put a clever lyrical spin on the subject that effectively sets the stage for what's to come. Amping things up a notch with the guitars is "Straight Jacket," a track that's definitely worth hitting repeat for. With lead singer Jeremy Michaelis' staccato vocal delivery and a decidedly new wave beat, there's plenty to love here with each listen.
"Already Won" slows things down a little with the ethereal, slightly off-beat ambience of a Starflyer 59 song that picks up in tempo with each verse and presents an affirming message of what's ultimately at the end of the proverbial road of the Christian life. "Home" is almost a continuation of the thought from "Already Won," but sports more of a slightly eccentric, loopy feel that resembles Sufjan Stevens'