Chicken
This release claims to be an EP but in reality it's what we used to call a single. And while we're discussing old formats Rhode Island Red's music is another throw back to the days of leather, sleaze and riffs. No bad thing you may think as we have so few bands around that simply rock. You won't find any wispy beards or dub-step beats on 'Kerosene' but nor will you find a shred of excitement.
Given these circumstances and their PR trumpeting their old school rock n' roll credentials it's brave to include a song called 'Biege'. Thankfully the predictable guitar crunch is enlivened by singer Lyla D'Souza's strong vocal but this does sound like digital radio rock graveyard Planet Rock at two in the morning. It reminds you of all sorts of more celebrated bands but simply makes you want to dig out your Guns N' Roses records rather than investigate further. The song 'Kerosene' itself is more of the same: a singalong vocal (replete with hackneyed lyrics) over a power chording riff and a quiet/loud skeleton. 'Stalemate' busts out the acoustic guitars for the obligatory attempt at a ballad and proceeds through verse, chorus and guitar solo much as you would expect.
Rhode Island Red don't have a lot to say on record but hard rock always did sound and feel better on stage. In the right boozer with the right amount of beer on board Red Rhode Island would certainly be worth a listen but as it stands 'Kerosene' too readily fades into the background.