‘Next Year’ Is Here

Red Hill City

by Andi Agnew
April 23, 2008

When I first encountered Red Hill City in January 2007, their sound had drastically evolved from post-punk to a more organic indie rock. The band was young, yet they had already learned the valuable lesson that keeping your sound fresh is the best way not to be left behind.

At that time, Red Hill City was putting together an album with this newer sound, but the band ran into obstacles along the way (such as deciding which songs to keep and which to shelve for a later time), which delayed the production process. The group had a strong, young, local fan base, despite the fact that most of the band members had already graduated from high school. Keyboardist Ben McCain and drummer Josh Myers both graduated in 2003, guitarist/vocalist Tyler King in 2004, and bassist Gant O’Brien and guitarist Joseph Regan entered the “real world” in 2006. The guys attended various colleges around the state over the last year, which also contributed to the length of the album-making process.

A year later, the fruits of their labor are finally ready to be harvested. Red Hill City’s evolution and maturity is apparent on “This Time Next Year.” The new album is polished and refined, boasting lush instrumentation, catchy hooks and clever lyrics. The first lines of the opening track immediately reference something familiar to Jacksonians: “The Fondren District turns its lights on/as the sun goes down. …” Toy-soldier drumming drives the song along as it builds with intensity and optimism.

Red Hill City displays versatility while remaining firmly entrenched in the “indie” genre. “The Engineers” is a high-energy track with a dance-pop beat reminiscent of VHS or Beta, while the title track is a sweet, Elliott Smith-influenced song about holding on for better times ahead.“This Time Next Year” is a simple, single verse that grows into a rising chorus of “oohs,” and “ahhs.” The song seems to be sung from one friend to another, but it could also be that the singer is looking back at himself in the past, just as many of us wish we could go back in time and tell ourselves that what seems so bad right now won’t even be a big deal in a year’s time.

King’s voice takes on shades of The Cure’s Robert Smith, Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock and even Colin Meloy of the Decemberists, depending on the song. But whatever he is singing, it does seem to be genuine and not just the sound of someone trying his best to be someone he’s not. And the instrumentation is just as authentic. There is the requisite guitar and drums, of course, but Red Hill City is not afraid to add a little ’80s synth or some bells and vibraphone to make a well-rounded, memorable sound.

“June 2” is a live track from a performance at Fenian’s, complete with the tinkling of glasses, laughter and general crowd noise. Halfway through the song, when a waitress clearly asks a table of patrons, “Are y’all doing all right? Y’all need anything?” one has to wonder if the band left that in on purpose. Even if it is just a clever coincidence, the inclusion of a live track serves as proof that the band’s live performances are just as interesting and melodious as their studio counterparts, and a little crowd noise never hurt anything.

“This Time Next Year” will release April 22, with parties at The Thirsty Hippo in Hattiesburg April 22, the State Theater in Starkville April 23, and Swell-O-Venue in Jackson April 25. Visit the band’s Web site at Red Hill City.

 
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