For My Sunday Song #461, we are talking Jake E. Lee’s Red Dragon Cartel and their song form the debut album, “Shout it Out”. The album came out on January 28, 2014 and debuted at #69 on the Billboard 200. While this song was used to promote the album, it did not chart anywhere. For me, it is one of the coolest and best songs on the album. The band consisted of Jake E. Lee, Darren James “D.J.” Smith, Ronnie Mancuso and Jonas Fairley and what a combination of talent. However, they all didn’t necessarily play on the song…we will get to that.
The song was written by Jake E. Lee and Ronnie Mancuso and it appears to be a call to action. Not for anything good though. It is about excess and fame. Doing whatever it takes to get to the top. Find your inner demon and let it loose. Kick everyone down until the can’t take it anymore. Dominate, win and get all the excesses that come with it. Fame and fortune at all costs.
Musically, it is a heavy song. Almost industrial in nature. Jake’s riff has a really killer groove to it that isn’t played the whole time, but is throughout the song. And like every good guitar song needs is a great solo and he delievers. What I like about it is a little different than his playing in the song. It gives it a new dimension. The chorus is so big, I love the cadence of the vocals by Darren. His deliver is deliberate and so menacing too. There is a gang style vocal to the chorus too that takes it all up a notch. The verses are sang slow and like it is the devil on your shoulder, then he goes so high in the vocals and back to a low evil tone. The drums are pounding, metallic in tone and you can feel every beat. A beast of a track and a song that makes you stop and take notice.
Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Shout It Out” by Red Dragon Cartel”



Joe Satriani – The Elephants of Mars – (Edel Music / earMusic): Joe Satriani never has a shortage of new music. This is his 18th Studio album over the last 36 years which is a new one every 2 years. Can’t beat that (unless you are Guided By Voices). I really loved his early albums but the later albums have been a little spotty for me, but he is still one of my favorite guitarists.
Papa Roach – Ego Trip – (New Noize Records / ADA Warner Music): Now on their 11 Studio album Papa Roach is back to deliver their brand of rock…which is nu metal, rap rock, hard rock, alt. rock, alt metal or whatever you want to call it. All I know, is they have some great songs so will be happy to add some more to the collection.