Jan 3rd ,2003 saw the long awaited release of RED EARTH’s 4th album, Fields Of Wonder. There have been a few noticeable changes since the release of 2001’s monstrosity, Time To Shine. RE is one of only a few acts to ever release a double length studio album here in Dayton. Very ballsy for a local band who’s vision far outweigh their numbers at the moment. What I mean by that is, they often get a lot of flack for their acoustic based brand of rock and roll and solid harmonies. However, that’s their best attribute. Most people have forgotten that true pop music has a catchy hook and melody that sticks in your mind and sometimes your very soul! And as time goes on, they’re slowly building a loyal fan base here in the Gem City and beyond.

RED EARTH were formed in 1995 from the remnants of PHAETHON. Apparently, the split wasn’t on very good terms. Robert West, lead vocalist and rhythm/acoustic guitarist, was sitting around writing some tunes and was feeling a bit restless. His wife suggested that he give former member Rich Reuter a call and to sit down and jam. Within no time at all, the foundation of RED EARTH was complete as an acoustic duo. First to come was their debut release on cassette, the 14 track acoustic release, Unadorned. The album featured, “Watch The World Go By”, “Play The Maze” and “Flying Freedom Rug”. It was recorded in 2 days and issued shortly after.

In 1998 they decided to get out of the coffee houses and into bigger clubs. RE expanded into a four-piece rock band. Enter another former member of PHAETHON, bassist Chris Kelly, who is also West’s cousin. Mike Minarcek was chosen for the drumming position and off they went. They recorded the 10 track compact disc Barefoot and hit the club scene. It features the tracks, “The First And Only Stone”; “Barefoot”; the epic acoustical masterpiece, “Except The Sea” and “Pride”. Unfortunately shortly after, things didn’t work out with Minarcek and he parted ways with the band.

After almost a year, former ASSAILANT drummer, Adam Sylvester was hired on as the band’s new timekeeper. Plans for their next endeavor was a very bold one at that. They planned to issue a double album that showcased all their influences and styles. After nearly 2 ½ years of decisions and long recording sessions, the disc was released as a 34-track magnum opus, Time To Shine, in the fall of 2001. It contained the killer album opener, “Run For Thunder”; the Springsteen-ish, “The Silence Of Freedom”; “Call Back The Angels” and even Kelly’s vocal debut on “Everything”. The hard rocking tune, “Paper Airplanes” and the tender ballad, “River Of My Blood” were chosen as the “official” singles for radio. When asked why they would put out an album like this, West’s response was simply, “Because we could. A major label would never allow us to do this as early in our career as now.” Already, this shows you the vision the band has for the future. The album was later made The H.M.D. Music Resource Guide’s 2001 Album Of The Year and “River Of My Blood” came in at # 18 on the Best Of The H.M.D.‘s Top 25 Single Tracks of 2002.

Shortly after, the band was struck with what most people would consider a crippling blow. Reuter decided to leave the band! He would stay long enough, however, to find a replacement. Enter former CASE IN POINT axe-man, Tim Evans. They gelled immediately and quickly went into the studio to work on Fields Of Wonder. After 6 months, the Time To Shine disc was slimmed down to a mere 17 tracks and issued with new band shots including Evans. Unfortunately, a good number of tunes were lost in this version, including Reuter’s contributions.

Now, the long awaited new disc has been dropped. Fields Of Wonder treads some new ground for the band musically while still embracing their acoustic and hard rock foundation. They have noticeably improved their prowess as musicians. The disc itself is more back to basics like Barefoot, enough is said in 13 tracks and isn’t overloaded as on Time To Shine.

The album cover and layout are really lacking, but gets the point across without having to make it look so polished. The main change that sucks is it seems the band has changed their trademark logo for a really janky version. The original logo had some style to it and a character all it's own. The current “el-cheapo” version of the album is to get it circulated till they can do it the way they really want. The future edition will feature a possible bonus live version of a new song “Everything’s Changing”. The only main thing that needs tweaking is the mix. Seems a little flat and doesn’t come out as crisp as it should be.

The album’s opener “Bottle Of Wine” sets the tone immediately. It’s a good pop rock song, whose catchy chorus grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. “Imagination” is a mid-tempo tune and has potential for radio airplay further down the road. It’s definitely one of my favorites. Track 3 contains “So Impossible” and has a very eerie similarity to “Easy Does It” from Coverdale – Page’s 1993 self-titled release. Kelly’s bass lines are very simple in structure but do catch the listener’s attention.

“Something In The Middle” has some great guitar harmonies when West and Evans blend them together. By this track, I can’t help but to notice how Sylvester has improved as a drummer. His chops permeate all over this disc. To be honest, I think he outdid himself compared to his playing on Time To Shine.

The acoustic chords at the beginning of “Down In Your Ocean” and the fade in of the band shows that RE has done their homework for “arena-rock” ready songs. The image of them playing to a sold-out arena would be awesome to witness as you watch the crowd jamming along. Evans delivers another rocking solo sprinkled with a little wah wah for good measure. “Out Of My Mind” really tones it down a bit. In some ways, it slows down the album to almost a halt.

The catchy riff on “For The Last Time” totally picks up the tempo again and continues their charting into guitar rock territory. They can rock out if need be, no doubt at all here. However, Evans’ soloing is non-existent on this track. But it just goes to show you, that you don’t have to have a guitar solo every time in your music. Seems to be way too commonplace in pop rock today.

The fans, more or less, chose the album’s title after the song, “Reaping The Fields Of Wonder”. The opening guitars from West and Evans interlace well together on the thematic rhythm of the song. The song itself is about racial prejudice. The chorus is very catchy and will have you singing it in no time at all. Evans’ lengthy guitar solo at the end of the song just kicks some serious ass! It was actually done in one take.

“Pippin’s Song” is by far my favorite cut off of this disc lyrically. This song really hits home. It’s a very upbeat tune about the loss of a friend or a loved one. About how they will live on in your heart and become a part of you. It is very well written and arranged. This song really showcases some of West’s writing talents.

“What Mountains Could Follow The Hills” harks back to traditional Red Earth. This little ditty shows the acoustic folk rock that they were founded on. Evans delivers a tasty slide in his solo that only accents the song and doesn’t take away from it. “Peace For The Ages” is a short song in the more modern pop rock vein. West questions why we can’t actually live in peace and not hate each other. The only song that seems to earn the name of "filler" compared to the rest of the album.

“Grandpa’s Gold” is a beautiful acoustic rock ballad signifying the bond between West and his wife Michelle and the history of their wedding bands. The rings themselves were given to West from his grandparents. This song possesses the same essence as “River Of My Blood” from Time To Shine. It is nestled up against the album closer, “The System”. A hard rocking, kick-ass song about how ‘Big Brother’ runs things their way. Evans’ guitar solo just smokes! A call to headbangers of old school rock and roll.

Unfortunately, Evans has left the band to pursue his own interests. The current line-up is a 3-piece of core members West, Sylvester and Kelly. Either way, As long as Red Earth continues to grow musically and keeps putting out this kind of quality songs, I see no reason why they can’t make it. The retrospective of the 80s are on the rise and that means the great music of the time, not just the fashions. Arena rock will make a comeback and I hope to see them at the Nutter Center one day playing to a sold out crowd. I’d love to see them matched up with the guitar rock of Springfield’s ANIMAL GRACE or the modern vibe of Lexington, KY’s LUCID GREY in the future. For more info on Red Earth, visit the “Dayton Area” page of The H.M.D. Music Resource Guide.

Sonny Thomas
The H.M.D. Music Resource Guide
12.18.2003