Dead Red Sea – Birds – Review

Dead Red Sea

Birds (Deep Elm)
by Tim Den

Cross My Heart’s last effort, Temporary Contemporary, almost never leaves my CD wallet. Not only is it one of my favorite post-hardcore/indie rock records to put on during sleepless nights, it’s also come to symbolize a much happier period of my life. So please understand my disappointment with Dead Red Sea‘s debut. It’s not that it’s bad – it’s actually quite melancholy and touching – it’s just that it doesn’t live up to what I expected. Guitarist/vocalist Ryan Shelkett continues to lead with authority much as he did with Cross My Heart, but for some reason, he seems tired of giving so much of himself every record. Birds feels resigned and disillusioned, which are not bad traits if you’re looking for the perfect downer record… it’s just not magical like Cross My Heart.
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