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Here comes The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus… Well, actually it started in 2003, and after a couple years, a few failed record contracts, old members leaving and new ones joining, on March 28th, 2006, which happened to be my 21st birthday, The RJA released their first single, “Face Down,” and it was a rocking gift.  The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus final line up includes; songwriter and lead vocalist Ronnie Winters, 24, guitarist Elias Reidy, 20, guitarist Duke Kitchens, 23, bassist Joey Westwood, 21, and rounding out the collection, Jon Wilkes, 21.  These talented young rockers released their first album through Virgin Records on July 18th, 2006; they’re a little bit emo, a little bit screamo, and are currently kicking ass, as they are holding onto iTunes coveted number one song, “Face Down,” in the alternative genre.  In fact, their album, Don’t You Fake It, is also showing well on iTunes as number 56 on the list of iTunes top 100 albums.      

So will you like The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus?  Well, they've been said to sound like; Adair, Blinded Black, Hawthorne Heights, and A Thorn for Every Heart.  What set these guys apart are minimalism and a good, clean sound.  They embody these strengths musically, lyrically, and instrumentally AND they’re not just another screamo rock band.  The RJA have a wealth of diversified tracks that go from hard to soft-core seamlessly.  They have the basic five piece set-up, lead vocalist, two guitarists, a bassist and drummer, but they have also added a layer of complexity with keys on some of their softer tracks, specifically on, “Cat and Mouse,” where the piano was an exceptionally placed factor.  Another track, “Justify,” certainly surprised me with its synths, which are not prevalent anywhere else on the album.    

I really want to recognize Ronnie, he has such a great range and intensely clean, crisp vocals, live or produced.  He can have this scarily intense solid screamo voice and then completely switch it up into soft, beautiful acoustic bliss.  All of the vocals -- lead and backing -- are truly ideal and are an exact counterpart to the music.  When Ronnie sings, “Your Guardian Angel,” the vocals will capture you, really projecting his emotional connection with the song...  Its selfless lyrics and heroic tone are heart-wrenching.  

Track by track The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus’ Don’t You Fake It is a journey.  Expressively, tracks that I found demonstrated astonishing strength were; “In Fate’s Hands,” which explores the theme of breaking out and making it in the cutthroat music business, which no doubt is a tribute to the band; "In Fate's Hands," which was the name of guitarist Elias Reidy and bassist Joey Westwood’s former metal band; and “False Pretense,” which represents betrayal.  Of course there's "Face Down," the first single, (coincidentally also featured in the soundtrack for the film, "Employee of the Month") which symbolizes breaking free of abuse and starting a new life. 

“Face Down,” “Your Guardian Angel,” and “Cat and Mouse,” are definitely the three tracks with the strongest emo elements of softness and sentiment, competing with their screamo counterparts, “Atrophy,” “Justify,” and “Misery Loves its Company.” 

One of the biggest surprises on this album is the track, “Damn Regret,” which deals with the twin demons of relationships; openness and apprehension.  “Damn Regret” has an old school punk feel,  reminiscent of early Blink 182, Pennywise, or Quicksand.  Finally, “Atrophy,” captures the spirit of most people, the fear of monotony.  It reinforces the ideals of remembering who you are, not selling out, finding your true self, doing what you truly love and not worrying if you fail. 

For a group’s first album, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus has pretty standard themes; love, hate, betrayal and making it in the music business.  However the element of Don't You Fake It that I find most impressive is the lyrics.  The lyrical content is incredible, it is highly developed, inspired, refined, and embodies a mature lyrical presence.  Overall, Don’t You Fake It is definitely worth a listen.