Tag Archives: Red Sammy

Album Review: Red Sammy – Holy Fluorescent Light

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photo courtesy of Red Sammy

Album Review of Red Sammy: Holy Fluorescent Light

A year ago, I reviewed Red Sammy’s very cool single, “Some Days I Feel Crazy.” That song is track number two on Red Sammy‘s newest 8-song album, Holy Fluorescent Light, that dropped early this year. Founded by bandleader/singer/songwriter Adam Trice in 2007, this newest release in Red Sammy’s ten studio album. On this album, Trice (guitar, vocals) is joined by Bruce Elliott (guitar), Greg Humphreys (bass, backing vocals), and Kenneth Noble (drums, percussion).

image courtesy of Red Sammy

On Holy Fluorescent Light, Red Sammy delivers a variety of tempos and energy levels. Some of the songs on the disc are rattly and raucous, while others are more truly mellow. Regardless, though, the songs carry a laid-back vibe that runs through all of Red Sammy’s music, while the distinctive songwriting and Trice’s unique vocals further provide that inter-song link. Ah, those vocals. They’re a sort of mumbled warble with a folky drawl but a college alt-rock delivery; combined with the music, the resulting style might be described as Bob Dylan meets R.E.M. In any case, the whole album – beginning to end – is a cool listen. If not by the end of your first listen, then certainly within a few listens, you’ll be hooked on this jangly sound that I’m convinced must translate exceptionally to a live performance. Across a broad range of venues, in fact; it’s a style that’d be capable of entertaining audiences equally from the big stages of open-air festivals or in the cramped confines of college dive bars.

Red Sammy’s Adam Trice; photo courtesy of Red Sammy

The whole collection makes for a fun, cohesive listen, but I’ll point out a few of my personal favorites. Album-opener “Gettin’ It Over” chugs along moderately energetically, a great way to kick things off. It’s followed by the previously-reviewed single, the catchy, quirky Americana-rocker “Some Days I Feel Crazy.” And I’m kind of fond of the mellow, strumming growler “I Couldn’t Find a Way Home Last Night,” which Trice delivers as if he may have had a rough time last night and was truly unable to find a way home. But you, know, it’s all cool.

“Don’t Know What to Say” has a distinctive guitar line that connects with the Parrothead-ish vibe I mentioned in my review of the band’s single late last year. Meanwhile, album-ender “I Worry Sick About You” has a singalongable chorus – well, the line “I worry sick about you,” basically.

Beginning to end, Holy Fluorescent Light offers a cool listen of college rock-flavored Americana with fun, identifiably quirky songwriting and delivery. The album serves as a nice introduction to Red Sammy for new listeners or equally as a well-anticipated tenth studio album for longtime fans.

photo courtesy of Red Sammy

Looking Ahead

Be sure to check the “Upcoming Shows” page of Red Sammy’s website for concert dates. It looks like the band will be performing at the Apollo Civic Theatre in Martinsburg, WV on Saturday, February 22nd. Keep an eye out for additional shows as they’re added.

Single Review: Red Sammy – “Some Days I Feel Crazy”

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Red Sammy

photo courtesy of Red Sammy

Single Review of Red Sammy: “Some Days I Feel Crazy”

Bandleader Adam Trice started Red Sammy back in 2007. In Red Sammy, Trice performs with a rotating cast of bandmates, ranging from four-piece string ensemble to full rock band. On “Some Days I Feel Crazy,” you’ll find Trice (acoustic guitar and vocals) supported by Bruce Elliott (electric guitar), Greg Humphreys (bass), and Kenneth Noble (drums and percussion).

Red Sammy – "Some Days I Feel Crazy"

image courtesy of Red Sammy

“Some Days I Feel Crazy” is quirky, folky-yet-rockin’ Americana, a song that falls so squarely into the Americana style that I don’t feel compelled to attempt to identify a sub-genre; I suppose I already have by dubbing it “folky,” but it also has a distinctly rock ‘n roll vibe, as both the vocals and guitars have some rockin’ rattle to them. Trice’s voice is a little grizzled, with a laid-back smirk sneaking through his delivery, but his voice mostly, on “Some Days I Feel Crazy,” conveys a relaxed disposition befitting the song.

The accompanying instruments and rhythm evoke a laid-back, island vacation vibe, like this is the sort of song you’d hear at a festival on the beach or blaring at an all-inclusive resort’s poolside bar. The lyrics supports this notion, as the chorus – and the song itself – ends with the phrase “baby, I’m feelin’ fine.”

Adam Trice of Red Sammy

photo courtesy of Red Sammy

Looking Ahead

The “Upcoming Shows” page of the band’s website lists several opportunities to catch a Red Sammy performance in the coming weeks and months. This soonest currently-booked gig is for December 30th at The Filling Station at El Rey in Arlington, VA. Other upcoming shows include a January 12th gig in Pennsylvania, a February 12th performance in Washington, DC, and several shows in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland in June and July 2024. Obviously, be sure to check the schedule periodically – or follow Red Sammy on Facebook or Instagram – to remain abreast of new shows as they’re added.