The Best Albums You Probably Haven't Heard

Loudermilk

The Red Record (2002)

Dreamworks Records

Eleven years ago, one of the most heinously overlooked albums of the 2000’s was released. The Red Record by Loudermilk is that album.

Initially coming off as Vince Neil fronting The Smashing Pumpkins, it’s so much more. From Davey Ingersoll's (vocals, guitar) poetic lyrics and lofty expression, to the "crash and burn" yet "killing us softly" of Isaac Carpenter (drums), Mark Watrous (guitar, piano, vocals), and Shane Middleton (bass), the output is simply amazing. The production work of George Drakoulias (The Black Crowes, The Cult, Tom Petty) and Ron Aniello (on two tracks) isn't overbearing; it's just right. The dark and brooding "California" touches on a party Ingersoll once observed, one of detached and stark figures wandering their way through life. Full of bombast and punk attitude, "Elekt" sounds familiar, but in a new way. "Mai" is chock-full of so much power, emotion, and affection that it simply leaves you drained by song's end. Not only a cool song title, "97 Ways to Kill a Superhero" is a beautiful piano ballad accompanied by lush strings, acoustic guitars, and subdued drums.

Sadly, Dreamworks Records didn’t promote this objet d' art, and that was a tragedy. In a supposed attempt to get out of their contract with the record label, the band eventually changed their name to Gosling. They released two albums under that moniker: e.p. and Here Is... The sound was more subdued, but it still packed an emotive punch.

Loudermilk/Gosling has since called it a day, so do whatever it takes to check out The Red Record.

Key Songs: "The Twisting" and its dirge-like love letter set to melancholic instrumentation. Also, the aforementioned "Mai" and "California," "Juillet" and its straightforward rock aesthetic and expressive vision, and album closing "Attached at the Mouth."

Chad Olson