Back in 2001, Jeff Scott Soto was ready for a change. He had been touring with the group The Boogie Knights and he was ready to break out on his own again. He wanted to do something totally different. And what started out as a solo project for him became a band called Redlist. Redlist is actually another name for the endangered species list and they liked it so they used. Who are they? That would be Jeff, Dave Fraser (who played with Gary Richrath) and Neil Goldberg (Annihilator). They also Eric Malone (aka Big E, rapper).

Rapper? Did I just say rapper? Yes, I did. The Redlist project was not the typical Melodic rock that Jeff was used to. The time was 2001 and what was big was Industrial Rock. Think Linkin Park and you have the right idea. This is totally unexpected and out of left field which is exactly what Jeff was wanting. However, the project was shelved due to lack of interest from record executives. One thing lead to another and Jeff got busy again, he ended up doing a couple solo albums, Soul SirkUS and then Journey. Around 2007, they decided to dust off the cobwebs and release it.

They didn’t release it the normal way with a physical product. No, they did not. Instead they released it digitally through iTunes. And yes, I bought a digital product because it was the only way I could get it. Now, Jeff, if you ever find yourself reading these reviews, we would love to have a CD release of this product. Yes, I could burn it to a CD and print out the covers and put together my own CD version, but I want something official. Enough about that, let us get to the music and get ready as it isn’t what you’d expect from Jeff. Especially when Jeff does his own rapping.

The album kicks off strong with the heavy, industrial rocker, “Migraine”. It sees Jeff rap through the verses and he is very aggressive, angry and intense. The chorus is catchy and just as aggressive. The guitar sounds is gritty and pretty killer on this one. One of the better songs on the album.

Next ups is “World Today” which keeps the Linkin Park vibes going, but this song isn’t as aggressive. This is pure LP ripoff. Jeff spits out the lyrics in a rapid fire pace. The chorus is more melodic with some good harmonies. The electronic sounds are a little abrasive at times as to me they aren’t as crisp and clear as they should be. Blame production value on that one. But still a pretty good song, if you like this sort of thing.

“Swallow” is a little calmer, more electronic drums and effects. Jeff is a lot more calm and sings in a softer voice until the chorus hits and he sings so smooth, great harmonies and backing vocals. Close to a ballad in sound and the power part is that chorus. A simple track with not as much going on as the other twos. The barrage of electronic drums towards the end are annoying as hell though and such poor quality.

With “Higher”, we get another more rap focused track as Jeff shares the singing with Big E. The chorus is the more rocking part and is actually pretty awesome. Melodic at times and then overly aggressive…a great mix. This is so unlike anything you’ve ever heard Jeff do and you will either love it or hate it. I like this one.

With “Mad Reign”, we are getting more of the same. Heavy aggressive guitars, electronic drums and intense delivery lyrics and a bridge and chorus that is catchy and memorable. I will admit, I really do dig this stuff even if production wise it isn’t as good as the guys that had a label, but I this fun and different…at least he’s trying something different.

Then it is the first ballad with “Believe”. Jeff does a great rapping job with the help of Big E on the chorus. Speaking of chorus, it is fantastic as Soto’s vocals are so slick and smooth as he knows how to do a ballad. The verses are pure Soto rapping and if you can accept it, then you will enjoy it, but it does make you take a step back for a second. As an overall ballad, I think it is pretty cool.

“Ignorance” kicks off with some acoustic guitar, a heavy bass and a funkier sound. The chorus goes heavier and more metal plus gets more aggressive than back to the softer, funkier verses. A strange combo and not sure it works completely but still has a great beat and it has its moments.

“Ain’t Your Man” is back to the rapping, too much electronic drums and way too aggressive and angry in the verses. The chorus is good, but for me this was too over the top. Yes, they made a video for it which means they liked it, but “Migraine” would have been a better choice.

“Backstabber” is up next and by this time I’m a little burnt out on this whole rapping, industrial sound. This time around we get a full on rap from Big E. and he’s believable. However, now it feels too much to be a parody of itself…is that too harsh.

Some heavy bass kicks this one off and Jeff comes at it toned down, more reserved and then it kicks in to gear and the aggression comes back. The chorus for “Kingdom” though is softer, more smooth slick singing until back to the talking chorus. It feels like the song is trying to push itself to somewhere, but the probably is it doesn’t know where that somewhere is.

Finally, we get to the end with “Living Proof”. By now, I’m bored to tears and the production seems weak and the song feels like filler and I’m ready for it all to be over.

Track Listing:

1. Migraine – Keeper
2. World Today – Keeper
3. Swallow – Keeper (1/2 Point)
4. Higher – Keeper
5. Mad Reign – Keeper
6. Believe – Keeper
7. Ignorance – Keeper (1/2 Point)
8. Ain’t Your Man – Delete
9. Backstabber – Delete
10. Kingdom – Delete
11. Living Proof – Delete

The Track Score is 6 out of 11 Tracks or 55%.  I applaud Jeff for trying something different and reinventing himself. For the first half of the album, I think it all works and I couldn’t be happier, but the second half drops off fast and hard.  The electronic sounds are harsh, not gritty or industrial enough.  More annoying than anything. That drum sound is pure shit and that is all the negative I have. When they get it right, they sound great and some of this album I enjoy immensely.  Other parts not so much.  My Overall Score is a 2.5 out of 5.0 Stars.  A good effort, put production really kills this one for me as they didn’t get the sound right.

UP NEXT: JEFF SCOTT SOTO – ‘BEAUTIFUL MESS’ (2009)

THE JEFF SCOTT SOTO SERIES:

1. Panther – ‘Panther’ (1986) – recorded in 1984
2. Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force – ‘Rising Force’ (1984)
3. Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force – ‘Marching Out’ (1985)
4. Kuni – ‘Lookin’ For Action’ (1988)
5. Kryst the Conqueror – ‘Deliver Us From Evil’ (1989) / ‘Soldiers of Light: The Complete Recordings (2019)
6. Eyes – ‘Eyes’ (1990)
7. Eyes – “Nobody Said It Was Easy” (1990) – 7″ Single – Bonus Edition
8. Talisman – ‘Talisman’ (1990)
9. Talisman – “I’ll Be Waiting” (1990) – 7″ Single – Bonus Edition
10. Skrapp Mettle – ‘Sensitive’ (1991)
11. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Eternal Prisoner’ (1992)
12. Bakteria – ‘Deficate! Suffocate! Mutilate! Masturbate!’ (1992 / 2009)
13. Eyes – ‘Windows of the Soul’ (1993)
14. Talisman – ‘Genesis’ (1993)
15. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘The Ballads’ (1993)
16. Biker Mice From Mars – ‘Biker Mice From Mars (Soundtrack)’ (1993)
17. Takara – ‘Eternal Faith’ (1993)
18. Talisman – ‘5 Out Of 5 (Live in Japan)’ (1994)
19. Talisman – ‘Humanimal’ (1994)
20. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Between the Walls’ (1994)
21. Gary Schutt – ‘Sentimetal’ (1994)
22. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Love Parade’ (1994)
23. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Made in Germany (Live)’ (1995)
24. Takara – ‘Taste of Heaven’ (1995)
25. Talisman – ‘Life’ (1995)
26. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Black Moon Pyramid’ (1996)
27. Human Clay – ‘Human Clay’ (1996)
28. Talisman – ‘Best of’ (1996)
29. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Magic’ (1997)
30. Human Clay – ‘U4IA’ (1997)
31. Boogie Knights – ‘Welcome to the Jungle Boogie’ (1997)
32. Takara – ‘Blind in Paradise’ (1998)
33. Talisman – ‘Truth’ (1998)
34. ‘Rock Star: Music from the Motion Picture (Soundtrack)’ – Various Artists (2001)
35. Humanimal – ‘Humanimal’ (2002)
36. Humanimal – Find My Way Home: Limited Edition E.P. (2002)
37. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Holding On E.P.’ (2002)
38. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Prism’ (2002)
39. Talisman – ‘Live at Sweden Rock Festival’ (2002)
40. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘JSS Live at the Gods 2002’ (2003)
41. Talisman – ‘Cats & Dogs’ (2003)
42. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Believe in Me E.P.’ (2004
43. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Lost in the Translation’ (2004)
44. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Live at the Queen Convention 2003’ (2004)
45. Soul SirkUS – ‘World Play’ (2004/2005)
46. Talisman – ‘Five Men Live’ (2005)
47. Talisman – ‘World’s Best Kept Secret DVD (2005)
48. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Essential Ballads’ (2006)
49. Journey – ‘Live from Atlanta (Bootleg)’ (2006)
50. Talisman – ‘7’ (2006)
51. Talisman – The Albums Ranked Worst to First
52. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘B-Sides’ (2006)
53. Redlist – ‘Ignorance’ (2007)
54. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Beautiful Mess’ (2009)
55. Jeff Scott Soto – “21st Century” / “Gin & Tonic Sky” CD Single (2009) – Bonus Edition
56. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘One Night in Madrid’ (2009)
57. Trans-Siberian Orchestra – ‘Night Castle’ (2009)
58. W.E.T. – ‘W.E.T.’ (2009)
59. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Live at Firefest 2008’ (2010)
60. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Damage Control’ (2012)
61. W.E.T. – ‘Rise’ (2013)
62. W.E.T. – ‘One Live in Stockholm’ (2014)
63. Jeff Scott Soto – The Authorized Biography (2014)
64. SOTO – ‘Inside the Vertigo’ (2015)
65. Joel Hoekstra’s 13 – Dying to Live (2015)
66. SOTO – ‘Divak’ (2016)
67. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Retribution’ (2017)
68. Sons of Apollo – ‘Psychotic Symphony’ (2017)
69. W.E.T. – ‘Earthrage’ (2018)
70. SOTO – ‘Origami’ (2019)
71. Sons of Apollo – ‘Live With the Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony’ (2019)
72. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Wide Awake (In My Dreamland)’ (2020)
73. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Live and Loud in Milan 2019’ (2020)
74. Sons of Apollo – ‘MMXX’ (2020)
75. SOTO – ‘Revision’ (2020)
76. W.E.T. – ‘Retransmission’ (2021)
77. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘The Duets Collection, Vol. 1’ (2021)
78. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Complicated’ (2022)
79. Ellefson/Soto – ‘Vacation in the Underground’ (2022)
80. Jeff Scott Soto / Jason Bieler – Live In Concert (2022) – Bonus Edition