The Redwalls

Let's just get this out of the way right now: The Redwalls are derivative. What's more, the bands they derive from are not hiply obscure. So don't expect to look like an authority when you play Spot the Influence with the tunes on De Nova, their major-label debut. To wit,...

By John Nova Lomax

August 25, 2005

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Let's just get this out of the way right now: The Redwalls are derivative. What's more, the bands they derive from are not hiply obscure. So don't expect to look like an authority when you play Spot the Influence with the tunes on De Nova, their major-label debut. To wit, you won't score any hipster points by noticing that album opener "Robinson Crusoe" kicks off with a guitar riff inspired by T. Rex's "Bang a Gong." Nor will you seem like a rock genius when you point out that "Thank You" feels a hell of a lot like Bowie's "Young Americans," or that "Build a Bridge" rips off the Faces, or that "Hung Up on a Feeling" is a dead ringer for the leitmotif on side two of Abbey Road. If that sort of thing bothers you, don't bother with the Redwalls; go see Mr. Bungle or something instead. On the other hand, if you just like good, old-fashioned, 1971-vintage rock and roll, strong songs, excellent harmonies and sing-along choruses, then meet one of your new favorite bands.

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