RED HOT SHAME is a Northern California-based indie rock group fronted by singer-songwriter Xeff Scolari and his fluctuating lineup of musical allies. The brainchild of Xeff Scolari recorded with frequent collaborators Steven Pitsenbarger (vocals, percussion), Ryan Wilson (guitar), Spencer Kennedy (bass, drums, keys, vocals), and Mark Bennet (harmonica). The band recently released their new album `You Can`t Make Me`. A resident of Eureka, CA, lead vocalist and songwriter Xeff Scolari has played in several other local bands including Colorblind, Acoustic Gypsies, Sugardaddy, and Chowderhead.
The album opens with `Sophie` which has a kind of laid back jazzy bluesy reflective vibe which recalls a lonely soul in Alabama and sung from the perspective of an absent lover who visits as a ghost or spirit possibly. The 14th century Latin phrase which translates to “misery loves company” is turned on its head in `Miserable` a languid melancholic tale of somebody who excels in their own gloomy existence.
`Unscripted` is more of a pounding rhythmic upbeat offering which may refer to encouraging a partner`s response. We have a rockier submission with the selfish `What’s Mine` which has some interesting guitar riff like solos as the song progresses and some charming melodies.
`Stone` a song of resilience in aging is a cracking laid back blues rock track that has some delightfully restrained guitar riffs along with an accompanying drum and bass line allowing the vocals time to reveal it`s charms. We have in `Vampire Empire` a kind of groovy road song which has a delicious heaviness about it and lyrics that hinted at powerfully bad things.
`Better Alone` is a deep reflective bluesy outing with some haunting harmonica hues relaying a tale of an unhappy domestic alliance where the narrator realises they need to alter their present living situation. There`s an air of `he who pays the piper calls the tune` in `Give In` as the paymaster or financer seems to be calling in the debt. A kind of spellbinding slow burn blues composition.
`Both` is a churning blues based rock out that seems to be about a difficult friend with some challenging behaviours. We have a pounding thumping meditative reflection with `Methodical` with some shredded guitar riffs midway through and at the death.
`I’m Ready For You To Go` is a grinding blues ballad with harmonica tones where the protagonist has had enough with their partner and just wants rid of them. The album closes with title track `You Can’t Make Me` a further slow burn that may well be about an end of life scenario.
`You Can`t Make Me` was a pretty interesting listen which moved from some laid back deeply reflective numbers, through some quite blues tinged songs to much heavier rock out tracks. The lyrics were a little out there at times but that added to the overall charm of the album. This is the bands third album so i`ve still a couple to catch up on.
Rating 8 / 10
REVIEW : RED HOT SHAME – YOU CAN`T MAKE ME (2023)
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