Don't You Fake It Review

Release Date: Jul 18, 2006
Label: Virgin
Genres: Alternative Pop/Rock, Emo, Screamo
Number Of Tracks: 11
Whatever they meant by naming themselves The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, it sounds hilarious and cool.

Sound:	9
Lyrics:	8.2
Impression:	8.8
Overall rating:	8.7
Users rating:	8.7
Comments:	37

overall: 8

Featured review by: UG Team, on september 07, 2006

Sound: I thought good names for rockbands were over by the end of '70s... God, I was wrong... These five guys from Middleburg, Florida proved I was sooo wrong... Whatever they meant by naming themselves The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, it sounds hilarious and cool.

It took them about 3 years to get a deal and release a debut album -- “Don’t You Fake It.” It was a help of a producer David Bendeth (Hawthorne Heights and Breaking Benjamin) that encouraged the guys to make the sound better until the point he liked it. Singer Ronnie Winter says that starting a band the only thing they cared about was having a good time and thus they play music in a totally effortless way, creating their own style and changing directions even within one song. Guys shift between pop punk, metal and screamo so easily and courageously as if those two styles always came along together.

Tracks often start as an aggressive punk-rock and explode into metal as tension grows towards the final. You can never guess the end of the track as the song structures are unpredictable. Instruments are multilayered creating a constant emotional intense. Busy drums are accomplished by a wall of guitars full of crunchy chords that are driving the songs. There are two so different ballads on the record -- “Cat And Mouse” is mellow and whining while “Your Guardian Angel” is gentle and soft. For teenage girls romantic “Your Guardian Angel” should be a killer as Winter sings in such an innocent voice “I will never let you fall/I’ll stand with you forever” that makes you want to believe every single word. The track goes into heavy pounding half-way through in the best traditions of power ballads. Would be a good choice for the second single. Pessimistic “Cat And Mouse” with minor piano is on the emo side of the album. It annoys you as you start feeling sorry for the vocalist -- he sounds so unhappy and the howling choral on the background multiply the effect.

“Damn Regret” is probably the most cheerful songs on Don’t You Fake It. Listening to this happy sing-along it’s hard to believe the guys just played metal a song or two ago. // 8

Lyrics and Singing: The songs subjects are deeper than you might think they are. Like the first single from the album “Face Down,” which is about guys violating girls. Frontman Ronnie Winter says he was like that himself once and, making a song about it, he’s warning people not to make the same mistakes. Other songs also have deep interesting lyrics with the exception of maybe only pop-sweet “Your Guardian Angel,” which is more likely the commercial filling of the album.

Vocalist Ronnie Winter hits high notes in “Damn Regrets” with a sharp voice of a teenager, singing like some pop idol and then switches to brutal screamo in “Justify.” He’s got that manner of yearning emo vocals that would excite any emo fan. // 8

Impression: The album is full of contrasts between different music styles and emotional conflicts, showcasing the diversity of the band. And on the other side it’s so organic that it all blends into one solid record. They don’t try to lock themselves into one style and label their music to follow the success of somebody who did it before them. That’s the energy of a young inspired band that drives their music. Though a lot of songs sound much alike and the band avoids experimenting for some reasons. The music needs more fresh ideas as there are a few stand outs on the record, but most of the songs seem like a filler. Unfortunately the catchiest song on the record is silly pop-punk “Damn Regrets.” I wish there were more killer guitar lines and catchy melodies in heavier songs.

A huge advantage of the band is in lyrics -- not too many musicians out there dare to make a song about domestic abuse and write about some serious subjects different from their love relationship. // 8

- Kosh (c) 2008

overall: 7.7

Reviewed by: Xcrimson_ghostX, on september 07, 2006

Sound: Red Jumpsuit Apparatus exploded onto the music scene overnight following the release of the single 'Face Down' bringing with them a relatively unique sound. RJA occasionally follows the typical power chord progressions that can make music boring. However, they make up for it with a second guitar belting out catchy riffs and fills. This is seen in 'Face Down'. Also, RJA has several tracks that portray a softer side. These songs prove their originality. 'Cat And Mouse' and 'Guardian Angel' are emotional ballads, and 'Grim Goodbye' is an excellent, dramatic conclusion to the record. On a less complimentary note, Ronnie Winter's attempt at screaming is sub par in my opinion. // 8

Lyrics and Singing: I read in an interview with Red Jumpsuit Apparatus that all of their lyrics are adaptations of real events in their lives. Songs like 'Face Down', which describes an abusive relationship, and 'Guardian Angel', which describes a sort of religious pledge of loyalty. 'Guardian Angel' is an amazing song with lyrics that really stick with you. Sometimes, the lyrics can get a little repetitive, losing the meaning and direction. 'Damn Regret' shows this quality. RJA does a damn good job with blending lyrics and music. The message in the lyrics matches the sound. // 7

Impression: Overall, this album was worth the money. It proves to me that there is still musical creativity left in this pathetic world. I'd have to say that 'Seventeen Ain't So Sweet', 'Guardian Angel', and 'Face Down' are my favorite tracks off of 'don't You Fake It'. I love Ronnie Winter's voice except for those painful moments when he screams. He either needs to polish it up or not do it at all. RJA sounds like a mix of Armor For Sleep and Hidden In Plain View with some elements of Senses Fail. In conclusion, buy it! // 8

overall: 9

Reviewed by: Drew/Dawg, on february 26, 2007

Sound: I love the way this band can mix their voices together and make not something screamo even though it can give off that impression a bit but more or a mixture between sreamo and vocals. If you've listened to this CD you will know what I'm talking about if you haven't then you better get your ass up and borrow a friends or go buy it. This is one of the first CD's I bought as I started my CD frenzy and I haven't had a single thought in my mind as to if this is a good band or not. The songs capture you into their story's and show you with almost frightening detail of what their trying to get threw to you. Their music exceeds all expectations of everyone I know who loves music and I know it certainly has mine. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are detailed to the point as I said before that is almost frightening. They put an image in your head and you can sit and watch as everything moves around going together with the song. You can stare off into space and just listen as you are taken away on a journey that you will either be relieved you have come back from or getting ready to go on it again. The lyrics seem to mesh with the music in ways that most bands fail to recognize or just seem to neglect. I don't exactly know weather or not Red Jumpsuit Apparatus writes their own music or has a Lyrist do it for them but give or take it's the artist playing the music the way it was writen no matter if they wrote it. // 9

Impression: I don't think this CD has any comparing competition. Their music seems to throw away everyone else's and has not failed to be recognized by all their adoring fans. I think as well as many others I know that the song that most have heard and admire would be Face Down. This is one of the songs that seems to exceed the rest in detail as well as quality, of coarse all the other songs don't lack either two, this song just seems to have more recognizable features. This is one CD that knowing what I had and had therefor lost or misplaced I can tell you I'm more then sure I'd go get it again. // 9

overall: 9

Reviewed by: AVA_182_44, on september 07, 2006

Sound: The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus' music is just as creative as their name. This is a CD for appreciators of emo/screamo music, if you loved Hathorne Heights, if you loved From First To Last, if you loved My American Heart, well, you are in luck my friend. Don't you fake loving this album. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: The lead singer in TRJA has a sturdy, clean voice. Honestly, the lyrocs are kind of out there, they fit with the song, but when you can really hear and understand what he's saying. You ask yourself "What?" But don't give up on them, once you listen to them a little more, you'll realize this isn't the same thing everyone else is singing about, they're new, differnt, refreshingly original. // 7

Impression: A lot of people I know compare TRJA to Fall Out Boy, which I don't understand, they sound nothing alike. Don't let anyone tell you that they sound the same as FOB, or Panic! At The Disco, because they are nothing alike. For that matter, don't let anyone tell you they sound the same as anyother band. The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is totally new, and they don't know what they're talking about. This is a refreshingly new band with a refreshingly original sound. The most impressive songs on this album are "In Fate's Hand," "Your Guardian Angel," "Face Down," "Misery Loves It's Company" and "Waiting." I really hope that you're going to love this band as much as I do. // 10

overall: 8.3

Reviewed by: Gerard Way Jr, on may 09, 2008

Sound: So, I heard "Face Down" (Track 4) about a million times on the radio, and my friend Hannah suggested I go and get the CD (though I suspect that that was so she could listen to it). So, naturally, I did. And can I just say that this is the best punk rock/screamo album I've heard in a very long time? Yes, thank you. This is the best punk rock/screamo album I've heard in a very long time. I really love 'Don't You Fake It' (2006) much more than their previous album, 'The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus,' (2005) though the latter is very good as well. Just not much creativity musically. DYFI sounds really great, though. The guitarists are better, the songs all change, which is good. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: Lyrics are really fun, and rarely are they unimpressive and poor. Actually, I really enjoyed this album for the lyrics. "Your Guardian Angel," track 11, goes, "When I see your smile, tears roll down my cheeks I can't replace and now that I'm strong, I have figured out how this world turns cold and it breaks through my soul." Among the other 10 tracks (12 or 13 if you get a deluxe version), it really stands out, though that doesn't necessarily make it the best track, they're all really good, lyric-wise, too! And the singer skills are good, to say the least. His screaming is redundant. // 8

Impression: Compared to their debut, this is really great album. I hope that future albums bring the band luck as they climb up (or down) the charts. The best songs are probably tracks 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, and I'd even put track 11 up there. RJA displays a nice collection of some good punk-rock songs in this album. I highly recommend it, though you may have to adjust to the repetetive screaming. If this album were, well, I won't go through my usual list of how a tiny little Compact Disk can be destroyed; I'll just say that if this item left my posession for any reason, I would certainly buy it again. // 8

overall: 10

Reviewed by: KaseySG, on july 10, 2007

Sound: RJA's sound is awesome! They take genres like post-hardcore and pop-punk and put their own sound into it. It is not totally unique to other bands, but they definitely do have their own sound. The crushing guitar sound in Grim Goodbye to the up-beat sound of Waiting and Damn Regret is so cool. They can really play anything from pop-like songs to harder metal-sounding stuff. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: I really like the lyrics. They take real subjects and write about them. Face Down is obviously the best song lyrically on the album. It talks about a man (boyfriend) physically abusing a girl (girlfriend) and it is really touching to some people. The lyrics in Damn Regret talk about living life to the fullest no matter what comes in your way. The thing that really amazes me is how Ronnie Winter (lead singer) plays with words. He really does add his own style to the lyrics. // 10

Impression: The one band I can compare Red Jumpsuit Apparatus to is Silverstein (atleast on their new ablum, never heard anything else). They have that 30% screaming and 70% singing style to them. I personally like RJA more because they have a more easy listening sound to them, while Silverstein has that more hardcore sound, which I don't mind. I like all the songs on the album, but especially Face Down, Damn Regret, False Pretense, and In Fates Hands. Lovin' is all I got for this band, nothing to complain about! And yes, if it were lost/stolen I would definitely buy it again. // 10

Comments

[MoshMaster101]

the single 'Face Down' bringing with them a relatively unique sound

It sounds very much like Kids Aren't Alright by The Offspring in my opinion. This album's still pretty good though. I'd give it about an 8.

[rob_larry01]

i love this band

found them by complete luck on someone's myspace profile, liked "face down" so much i bought the album online straight away

amazing album, can't stop listening to it

-rob

[dc_4twenty7]

This, ladies and gentlemen, is what the dictionary defines as a plant. "TRJA r001z j00! 10, 7, 10!"

I like 'Face Down' because it's a musically strong piece, but I don't have any misconceptions about this band. TRJA aren't doing anything fresh; meaningful lyrics and long-winded names have been around for ages. Just for clarity, I'm not bashing TRJA, I'm just making sure people don't read this review and take it to heart when it appears to be that this guy is just on a big kick with these guys. Once it winds down, he'll come to his senses, though, with an Angels and Airwaves SN, who knows?

In any case, happy listening, and remember, this review sucks.

-dc

[irockonguitar]

i like TRJA quite a lot, but there is other bands that play the same style of music as them, better!, i also feel this way about 'cute is what we aim for'.

[rockerx03]

this is a great cd i completely agree with the first review...first saw these guys on t.v at around 2am on much music(yep the only good non-hip hop music is played when everyone is sleeping)...but overall its a great cd and i cant put it down..

[Artisan_Bassist]

Great band, great CD, but I have to agree with the others that Ronnie's screaming needs a bit of work....

[pacoxxxtaco]

its a good cd but they can do better. wait for the sophomore release. my favorite track is atrophy but it isnt on the cd i guess.

[Rufus115]

"it sounded hilarious and cool"
What are you, 13?

[maddog6]

This Band is my favorite band by far
i still cant believe how good these guys really are

and rufus i agree
hilarious and cool
thats just gay

[handsomejack]

haha this band is hilarious. is the singer even a native english speaker? "DU YU feel like uh man"

muted continuous powerchords are not your friend!
sure they have little leads once in a while but you see them coming and they sound the same.
come on I'm sure he really cares about girls getting beaten. More like thats what sells. And that name is probably from a band name generator haha. And that screaming is horrible. Every mainstream band that screams always do it at the same damn place in the song. I wish screaming wasn't so mainstream now, its sad.

[Xcrimson_ghostX]

handsomejack that didnt even make sense. are you supposed to speak perfect english when singing? are YOU even a native english speaker? and just because youre ignorant, ill tell you that face down is about the singer's experience of beating his own girlfriend. so go get a life cuz obviously you dont have one if you have time to search out reviews for bands you dont like and leave negative comments about them.

[theliveswelead]

Woah, you two above me need to relax, smoke a joint and shake hands. All I have to say as a musician from Jacksonville, is that I remember this time last year passing out their 2005 demo and flyers in the dorms at UNF. Suddenly they stop playing shows in Jax, and we all wonder why. Then we hear the news about the deal. Great job guys, make Jacksonville proud.

[Ninjoid]

Absolutely love the album. The lyrics are fecking awesome too, which is why I love the album.

[spencer Cr]

any buddy who think these guy suck, have probably never heard the Grim Goodbye, (track 12 on Don't you fake it) that song kicks ass, and I've never heard anything like it. so after you've heard that song and if you still hate the band, well enjoy what ever you listen to. and by the way no one is asking you to go out and buy the cd. if you're looking for a crappy band, check out "panic at the disco" or "cute is what we aim for". but the The RJA should make the grim goodbye a single (that song kicks ass)

[trjafreak208]

These guys are indescribable. I mean, there are not enough words in my vocabulary to say exactly how much I love TRJA. Their musical style is completely original to me and new. I just think it's awesome how they've thrown so many different genres together. One song'll me a screamo metal and the next a power ballad; it's completely unpredictable. I love their whole philosophy on music too. They're out to make good music they love and have fun, not make money or be like the Beatles, or the Rolling Stones, or something all over again. And by the way, handsomejack, Ronnie's dialect is really cool because you don't hear that many other vocalists with that kind of pronounciation, and it amazes me how big of a loser you must be to go around bashing bands.
-trjafreak
(Yes I know I sound like a complete nerd)

[Xcrimson_ghostX]

wait wait wait, did you just call them screamo metal?? you need to get your head on straight, my friend.

[punkmanhunter]

if these guys got a good screamer that could growl and double kick pedals they could sound decent but the lead singers vocals are ok

[Pieper1]

best band ever...hands down...not even a question

[spazticpsycho43]

handsomejack wrote:

haha this band is hilarious. is the singer even a native english speaker? "DU YU feel like uh man"

muted continuous powerchords are not your friend!
sure they have little leads once in a while but you see them coming and they sound the same.
come on I'm sure he really cares about girls getting beaten. More like thats what sells. And that name is probably from a band name generator haha. And that screaming is horrible. Every mainstream band that screams always do it at the same damn place in the song. I wish screaming wasn't so mainstream now, its sad.

Well, if you were to type it correctly, it would be correct english. "Do you feel like a man?" I don't see any errors there.

Anyway, it's a pretty good cd. They were playing at Buzz Bake Sale and I bought the cd, met the band, and got it signed. They were pretty cool guys.

[absinthe5765]

Weve needed a good punk band. Everybodys trying to be "different" and it always backfires. Someones gotta pick up where Blink left off. This band just plain has good music.

[Xcrimson_ghostX]

youre an idiot for calling rja punk. dont you even dare to compare blink to these guys. theyre good, but nowhere close to punk. and where blink left off was crap. why do you think mark and travis got sick of tom? cuz he was putting shit like that together.

Checked.

[brush200400]

i think they would be frickin awesome if they had a better singer "doo yoo feel like..."

[tbean1060]

brush200400 you suck...

RJA actually got me into the whole "emo music" thing, i used to think all emo sucked but this cd definitely changed my mind, as to what is good and what sucks.

[NewDayRising]

This band has some catchy stuff, but you have to admit they aren't too original.

[ChemyVamp]

they aren't original they're just mixing some good musical genres and that's all! go hear everything by The Used they mix a lot of genres (i don't care about the overlays and that kind of shit) or listen to Escape The Fate they mix some genres too and sound cool... there's a lot of bands that mix genres but are not recognized..

still I LOVE the album but here in mexico i can't find it anywhere so i think i'll buy it online

[boyan89]

yah they dont sound the same as Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco cuz these guys are actually good!! and their not emo firs of all...:S

[rocknrolldogs]

Face down(RJA big hit)is catchy and the lyrics are powerful.Damn Regret is another great song but these two songs are the only two that rock on the cd. I hope this band will make another CD this one will be overshadow by Boys like girls new CD.6/10

[spencer Cr]

punkmanhunter wrote:

if these guys got a good screamer that could growl and double kick pedals they could sound decent but the lead singers vocals are ok

well the drummer does use a double bass kick, but yeah ronie needs to take screaming lessons if he keeeps doing it the way he does he'll lose his boice some day.

[YaniraeffenVamp]

this band is not effen "EMO" as you people call it.

[Give_em Hell]

Artisan_Bassist wrote:

Great band, great CD, but I have to agree with the others that Ronnie's screaming needs a bit of work....

truedat... the demo version of face down is better than the original

[lovelikerain]

basicaly u all suck, ronnies screaming is ausome i don't know how he could improve at all, sometimes hes off pitch in some of there older songs, but his vocals rock out .... not to mention there guitar...wow there ausome love the cd..its a must have o and there drummings pretty decent too..

[Give_em Hell]

this band is a bunch of screamo wannabes they are shitty pop punk sounding w/ shitty screaming they suck the only half decent song is your gaurdian angel

[Oxalis]

Need more screaming.

[Oxalis]

truedat... the demo version of face down is better than the original[/quote]

yeah it has better screamo.

[niejel]

Xcrimson_ghostX wrote:

I love Ronnie Winter's voice except for those painful moments when he screams. He either needs to polish it up or not do it at all.

yeah, maybe I can agree with that fact, hehe. But their lyrics are sure straight from the heart and the songs are quite awesome.

yeah it has better screamo.[/quote]

[misery 4 me]

I love this band they are amazing and i can play like half the songs on this cd