Review: “Red Book” by Texas (CD, 2005)

Today’s POP RESCUE from a fate uncertain, is the 2005 album Red Book by British band Texas. Will this album be worth bookmarking, or should it be pulped? Read on…

Texas - Red Book (2005) album — Texas – Red Book (2005) album.

This 12 track CD opens with the aptly titled 036, consisting of 36 seconds of what sounds like a slow intro to a local BBC news bulletin – with stringed instruments plucked and a heartbeat sound. That leads seamlessly into…

…the album’s lead single Getaway and whilst this instantly gives me Summer Son (1999) vibes as the synths gurgle behind Sharleen Spiteri‘s purring vocals, the track is welcome in this familiarity. The track rightly returned the band to the Top 10, giving them a #6 UK hit. It’s a great proper start to the album.

Then it’s Can’t Resist, which was the album’s second single. Here we find the first of the four songwriting credits of Brian Higgins of songwriting factory Xenomania (Girls Aloud) It reached #13 in the UK singles chart. There’s echoes of Girls Aloud and S Club 7 here in the melodies, and the backing track gently thuds and wafts in the background to a dance beat. The ‘la la la’ backing vocals help to sew it all together. It’s another nice track, but lacks the energy of Getaway.

That’s followed by What About Us, and this drops the tempo somewhat, as Sharleen sings some reflective heartbroken lyrics. This time we have Dallas Austin on co-writer and producer credit, but the result is a track that feels just a little to simplistic and empty. Yes, this allows Sharleen’s vocals a clear shot at your ears, but the track feels a little incomplete.

Cry is next, and it brings us some nice guitar riffs that echo throughout. The gentle beat and bass flow effortlessly along, flanked by a synth before Sharleen arrives. Again, we’re back with Brian Higgins, and this track is a nice warm song with some nice vocal harmonies, which include fellow Xenomania member, Miranda Cooper.

It’s a duet with Paul Buchanan – from The Blue Nile that’s next, called Sleep. The track was the album’s third single. The track is a more gentle track, and the contrast between Sharleen’s vocals and Paul’s richer and deeper vocals work a treat. Unfortunately ‘comedian’ Peter Kay (who also directed the video) mimes Paul’s part in the music video. The track repeated Getaway’s success, taking them back to #6.

We’re on to Get Down Tonight next – another Brian Higgins collaboration. This track has a nice foot-tapping melody and keyboards, and Sharleen’s vocals fit well here. Again, flanked by waves of synth pads, the track feels more rock-like that others.

Then it’s Nevermind, and this almost gives us a sense of lullaby in the opening bars on the simple keyboard sequence. A guitar drops in to chug along with the beat, and the song builds wonderfully, complete with almost heavenly repeated ‘ah‘ vocals. Whilst Sharleen shows off her deeper vocals here at time, there’s also layers of harmonies in play here that help the track to build nicely.

That’s followed by Bad Weather, with the Xenomania team involved again. This time we have some really nice sounding synths, a simple shuffling beat, and a really nice set of vocals from Sharleen and her backing vocalists. It’s a pretty mellow sounding track, which befits the mood of the lyrics. It’s a really nice song.

Masterthief follows this, with Sharleen also on guitars. This track is off to a harder start, reminding us nicely that Texas have those rockier roots. That said, it has a really nice catchy feel to it and lends itself to pop lyrics.

Next up is Just Hold On, and we find Rick Nowels (incorrectly spelt with two ‘l’ in the booklet) on co-writer, producer, and guitar credits here. The song feels crisp and light, giving Sharleen plenty of space to show off her vocals, and she grabs with every opportunity to!

The album closes with the titular Red Book, and here Sharleen sings as if she’s Skye Edwards from Morcheeba. This works though, and she sounds wonderful, as synths, acoustic guitars, and beats drop in behind her. She commands this track though, and it works as a wonderful closing track.

Texas’ lead single ‘Getaway’ (2005).

Verdict

Over all, this album is a great collection of tracks that feel like a continuation of their earlier album The Hush.

Sharleen’s vocals glow here, and she sounds like she’s not only having plenty of fun whilst recording, but also she beams with confidence and a purring richness. The inclusion of musical royalty Brian Higgins and Miranda Cooper, and Rick Nowels works a treat in most places, although Dallas Austin’s contribution feels more of a mediocre effort.

Highlights are certainly Getaway, but also Bad Weather and Red Book hit the top spots for me, with Just Hold On and Can’t Resist not far behind. A brief moment in the first half of the album – Cry and What About Us, gives us the weakest tracks, but otherwise the slick production and great musical and vocal performances offset this enough to let them slide by.

Whilst the album doesn’t quite provide the bangers that other albums did, this album has some wonderful tracks, that nod to earlier styles, and is therefore worth a spin.