Tragedy Ann

Item: Viva La Revolucion
Author: Kerry Maffeo

Viva La Revolucion

(2000)

Reviewed by Kerry Maffeo

Discogs Bandcamp

Label Organic RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth2000

hard rock post-grunge southern rock

Once again Organic Records' Tragedy Ann have been flung onto the scene in a burst of energy. Lead vocalist/guitarist Mikee Bridges, formerly of Sometime Sunday and fellow band members guitarist Lucky Seven, drummer Chaps McGuire and bassist Shorty Valentine have managed to release a highly charged rock and roll album, Viva La Revolucion.

From the first, the power and energy driving each song is very evident. Besides the obvious musical talent, the lyrics clearly show how serious the band is about their relationship with Christ. Bridges says their goal as a band is to escape the glamorous side of the music industry. He said they don't want to be seen as stars but as people who love the Lord. Not that their music suffers from this separation from stardom. In fact, it just makes it more real.

Between hard driving songs and mellow sweet melodied songs, the album can certainly stand up to others in its genre for quality. "Alone," the album opener starts strong and doesn't let up until the end. Lyrically tight, the opener is just a taste of the remainder of the album. "I sometimes feel all alone/Like the dark is closing in/I look for Sonshine/Splitting night, crashing in/Where's the victory/And death where is your sting?"

"Your Escape" is a sad, yet powerful song about abortion with the chorus pleading, "Don't tell me it's ok to stop this gentle newborn heart/Don't tell me it's ok to escape this way." "Nothing But The Blood" is a new arrangement of the classic hymn, featuring powerful vocals, plenty of distortion and tight bass lines. One of the softer but no less powerful songs on the album, "Why Can't the World Love" speaks of the pain of every day life and the answer in God's love. Catchy melody lines and lyrical metaphors combine to create a fun song with a serious message. The title track, ironically found as the album closer "La Revolucion" speaks out of a deep desire to see lost souls saved. "And the little kids all join hands and pray/Because we wanna see the world saved." The idea behind the song is that each individual is capable of starting their own revolution to change the world by simply loving those around them.

Overall, Viva La Revolucion is a powerful and poignant album. Lyrically, the album effectively exhibits the band's heart desire to serve the Lord. Musically, while the band tries to shy away from the glam-star mentality, their music may just spring them into that spotlight.

4.5 tocks