Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, The - Lonely Road

[Steve Henderson]

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus – Lonely Road
Release Date: February 3, 2009
Record Label: EMI

There are few bands in the scene that get more shit than The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. Likely victims of their own unexpected successes and some obvious PR missteps (ahem), most of this hatred seems a bit undeserved. Despite some (at times) embarrassingly simple lyrics and a tendency to retread familiar rock territory, there isn’t much to inspire true hate or disgust that legions of message board fanatics churn out without relent. At worst, TRJA can be called contrived and cookie cutter, yet I would rationally make the case that they are a rather competent pop rock act.

It seems safe to assume that very few people expected these guys to go platinum with the breakout success of “Face Down,” but afterwards, the band’s career arc sort of took on a life of it’s own. Such a meteoric rise must surely be staggering to comprehend by itself, and even more so when a group has to think about how to follow up that initial triumph.

On Lonely Road, the band’s latest effort, things do not get off to a good start. At all. “You Better Pray,” the record’s baffling choice for a first single is just downright horrible. And I don’t mean skip-the-track awful, but more like how-did-this-garbage-ever-get-approved/ what-were-they-thinking? terrible. Of course, this would be offensive enough if the track was a b-side for shit’s sake, but the single? Come on. The tune conjures up the worst of Hinder, Nickelback, and Buckcherry in supreme cock-rock, bro-down fashion, and is easily the worst song the band has ever written. However, if you get past that drivel with your ears intact, the rest of the record is a vast improvement, and is actually quite rewarding in spots. It is easy to say that as a whole, Lonely Road has a lot less “edge” than Don’t You Fake It, which might upset some, but the result is not entirely unpalatable.

“No Spell” starts off with an almost uncharacteristic toe-tapping bounce and synth fuzz, and tosses in a predictably catchy chorus, while “Pen and Paper” is much more by-the-numbers RJA pop-rock fare (and should have unquestionably been the first single). “Represent” is a much softer, slower cut that yields well to emotive vocal delivery from Ronnie Winter, and despite being a little overwrought and overproduced, it will surely strike a chord with mainstream-minded fans. The band later shows its penchant for catchy, radio-ready anthems with the sugary “Step Right Up,” which while generic, is undeniably infectious and enjoyable. And while the “ooh’s” and thickly-slathered strings of “Believe” take the cheese factor almost off the charts, Winters’ vocals do sound pretty remarkable when he breaks into the upper end of his range.

While Lonely Road does have its share of bright spots, the album does end in a pretty garish skid. With the title track sounding like some awkward homage to the classic rock, as it stumbles to create some semblance of majesty, the finished product is amateurish and painful to behold, especially in the outro (cringes for everyone!). The same goes for the sloppy “Senioritis,” which is barely saved by a catchy hook, and ridiculous theatrics of “Godspeed,” which sounds like a cheeseball ode that would be right at home in a Michael Bay film. Yikes.

In the end, Lonely Road is a pretty mixed bag. It is irrational for haters to say that the record is terrible, and has no saving graces. Sure, Howard Benson’s production pretty much neuters all the grit and angst that was ever-present on Don’t You Fake It, but the high level of polish does give rise to some easily accessible (albeit forgettable) Top 40-type pop cuts. Lonely Road is far, far, far from perfect, and people will likely continue to shit all over the band and record with reckless abandon, but a bit of honesty tells you this is certainly decent for what it is.


Scary Kids Scaring Kids, The Used, Hoobastank, 30 Seconds to Mars

[Chris Fallon]

From what I've heard, it's all rather predictable and been-there, done-that. Never cared for them regardless, yet you actually made me hate them a little less haha. Good stuff Steve.

[Spenny]

Nice review Steve
And I agree 100% with You Better Pray. What the fuck were they truly thinking?

[Twizx]

They've been touring with hinder and such bands from what I've heard, so I'm not surprised it has rubbed off on them.

[Kbm600]

What I love about this site most is that there is never any bias in the reviews. From what I know, doesn't Ronnie have an exclusive blog here? Yet here's a review honest as any other letting everyone on here know exactly how the product is. No bullshit, nothing to cover up despite the fact the lead singer contributes here. It's fair, and it's great to see.

Sorry to hear about the album though, I was hoping to like this one more. The single though, sounded exactly as you described it. Unfortunate.

[dubey]

I remember seeing them on the TakeAction tour a couple of years ago. It felt like their set was never going to end.

[demondays524]

I never got into these guys. "Face Down" pissed me off after a while, but I really like "False Pretense". Don't like any of the stuff on here, however. At all.

[cereal4life]

From what I've heard, it's all rather predictable and been-there, done-that. Never cared for them regardless, yet you actually made me hate them a little less haha. Good stuff Steve.
I agree with Chris. I was definitely caught up in the RJA-hatas bandwagon but what you said is spot-on. It's a good review Steve!

[AussieBoy]

so much undeserved hate, well at least the first album

[fadedmemories]

lol fucking lol

[c_rob2700]

The Red Jumpsuit Appartus make me support spousal abuse.



Good review, Steve!

[briXinRhands]

great review. I agree with everything you said. especially the hate for You Better Pray. Such a horrible horrible song with no redeeming qualities.

[Zack Haughton]

After going on a binge of non-stop Radiohead, I think I'll lower my standards back down from astronomical with a spin on this album.

[therookielot]

I never got into these guys. "Face Down" pissed me off after a while, but I really like "False Pretense". Don't like any of the stuff on here, however. At all.
yeah face down was kinda ridic. Too upbeat for the lyrics at least.

[Freeride]

seeing i dont agree with most of his reviews and he gave copeland a 92% then this cd should be awesome

[SurfinPunk]

The only song worth a listen is Senioritis. A typical 2:20 pop-punk gem...of sorts.

[batmannj]

seeing i dont agree with most of his reviews and he gave copeland a 92% then this cd should be awesome
copeland deserved that 92

[cscwell107]

Definitely doesnt deserve a better score than A Day to Remember.

[adk7193]

i heard it when it was on the bands myspace for a day or two,
and have listened to the "dont you fake it" uncountable number of times then.
it was a totally different sound, and honestly, i was a huge fan of the bands first album,
but this one im not, it was so different, it sounded more like a country rockish gospel band than anything ive heard from them, and its just straight up not good.

[Steve Henderson]

Definitely doesnt deserve a better score than A Day to Remember.
I didn't review that record.

[HometownHero]

Got a promo of this and it was awful. I sent it back. Yuck

[demonryu]

Honestly I liked this band's first album. It wasn't anything groundbreaking but it had some decent, catchy tunes (even though I don't like the fact that they edited out the screaming in their songs when they sent them to radio it seems like). But I'm not feeling this sophomore release, seems like the group took some steps backward.

[Mattylikesfilms]

How did you not mention "pull me back" its like.. The only good song on the album. Also go ahead and hate me but parts of "you better pray" aint all that bad. Sure it has cock rock written all over it but some verses (music wise) was decent. I'd give this album the same rating though 50% something.

This album will bury them and we will never hear from them after they're dropped and forgotten.

[Kgod]

How does it sound like The Used?

Curious.

[circatbs]

This fucking sucked.

[Steve Henderson]

How does it sound like The Used?

Curious.
RIYL = recommended if you like.

Thus, people that like The Used would probably like this.

[Kgod]

RIYL = recommended if you like.

Thus, people that like The Used would probably like this.
Why though lol?

I love The Used, so if this sounds at all slightly similar to them then I might be interested. But Ive listened to RJA, and while they're ok, they don't in any way remind me of the used.

[Mattylikesfilms]

Definitely doesnt deserve a better score than A Day to Remember.

Seriously. I thought that review was wrong. I'd rate ADTR as 71% nothing fantastic or breaking ground but still enjoyable.

[Ryzenfall]

Great review. I always thought the vocalist had some chops, but it doesn't make up for some of the other missteps.

[timb89]

i like you better pray
very guns and roses
old guns and roses
that note he belts out in the opening few seconds is pretty amazing

[Yellowcard2006]

That's a very good review. I'm not gonna buy this but I might (legally) download a couple tracks.

[jtyexists9]

I saw this one coming.

[Gin]

I like most of the tracks from their debut, but this album is really bad :/

[trappedintime]

This is a perfect example of what major labels do to good bands...

[utgjames]

This album is straight garbage. Haven't writen the review for utg yet, but I wil.

For all of you talking about "you better pray"...I did and interview with Ronnie in December and he said, and I quote "if you hate this song, your gonna hate the next even more. And if that makes you hate us, whatever, you apparently aren't a true fan"

[dpatrickguy]

i like you better pray
very guns and roses
old guns and roses
that note he belts out in the opening few seconds is pretty amazing
stop talking.

just stop it

[Steve Henderson]

This is a perfect example of what major labels do to good bands...
They were on a major label for their last album too.

[Jamos4184]

seeing i dont agree with most of his reviews and he gave copeland a 92% then this cd should be awesome
So, Copeland was one of his that you did agree with?

[Yellowcard2006]

This album is straight garbage. Haven't writen the review for utg yet, but I wil.

For all of you talking about "you better pray"...I did and interview with Ronnie in December and he said, and I quote "if you hate this song, your gonna hate the next even more. And if that makes you hate us, whatever, you apparently aren't a true fan"

Well being that they're only on their second album (the first one doesn't count) I'm not really sure who RJA really "IS". You can't write False Pretense and then release "You Better Pray". Just because they wrote it doesn't make it instantly awesome. I'll still wear the t-shirt but I'm not buying this album.(probably)

[andrew4045]

This fucking sucked.
so does "Dear Diary My Teen Angst Has A Body Count"

[Akissforher]

highly dissapointed when i heard 'you better pray'

still plan on picking this up tomorrow along with a day to remembers newie

[TSLataris]

I don't understand all the hate for this band - they aren't that bad.

But hey, I respect your opinion and I thought it was a well-written review.

[Sikbeat37]

i like you better pray
very guns and roses
old guns and roses
that note he belts out in the opening few seconds is pretty amazing
The guitar work in that song is awful and should never be used in comparison to anything Slash made.

[cory-182]

I really enjoyed their last album, but this one is utter garbage. They tried too hard to change their overall sound as a band and in my mind, they completely failed.

[TheHays]

this band is fucking garbage.

[JayBee420]

These dudes poke MAD smot!!!!

<3 jb

[sevinw0rds]

Steve, you kick so much ass for finding a way to make fun of Michael Bay during an album review.

[AndrewCloer]

Haha, I would have given a little lower score, but I pretty much agree.

[ttalent]

What happened to Elias Reidy? He's no longer in the band but you can hear him on the album I think. Live-this band can be terrible! At Bamboozle the last 2 years they were awful!!!

[denissuxx]

A very fair review, but I found the ratings were a bit too high.

WTF happened to their screaming though?

[fezmar9]

"Dont You Fake It" was only certified gold, not platinum.

[adamoath]

im sorry you had to listen to the whole album :(.... nice review though.

[Steve Henderson]

"Dont You Fake It" was only certified gold, not platinum.
"Face Down" went platinum.

I already made this correction due to a suggestion from an informed party :)

[saysmydoctor]

Guessing they are gonna cancel their exclusive.

[woominlee2]

A fair review I thought. I feel like I'm one of the few people on here to show RJA any sort of liking. But I too am not liking this album much. A few bright spots like you said, but mostly them trying to be too arena rock and too grand.

[Phil507]

What I love about this site most is that there is never any bias in the reviews. From what I know, doesn't Ronnie have an exclusive blog here? Yet here's a review honest as any other letting everyone on here know exactly how the product is. No bullshit, nothing to cover up despite the fact the lead singer contributes here. It's fair, and it's great to see.

Sorry to hear about the album though, I was hoping to like this one more. The single though, sounded exactly as you described it. Unfortunate.
Never any bias? Have you been here before? Not saying I like RJA that much but, still...

[bs7090]

pretty harsh on "you better pray". i mean, of course it isnt any good... but putting it on level with nickelback.... thats just not right.

[Alex DiVincenzo]

I only really liked the first track on the last disc, so I think I'll pass on this one.

[youareallfreaks]

you better pray makes more sense when they play it live.

[andrewshungry]

sounds like a generous review

[golferpunk1]

"Winters’ vocals do sound pretty remarkable when he breaks into the upper end of his range."

I was also really impressed by his vocals on this disc.

[Hagysaurus Rex]

Never was a fan of RJA, but I dont like what I've been hearing off of this album. I think this is a classic case of the review of the album being better than actual album itself.

[wickedmajestic]

i have to agree on the single. that alone is holding me back from buying this record

[Roa-Martinez]

While I agree that the single is balls awful, comparing it to nickelback doesn't make much sense. Say what you will about mainstream rock and use of ''the formula'' at least when nickelback puts out a single, its catchy and deserving of the label of a ''single''. ''you better pray'' has no single quality or even a marketable chorus. Nothing memorable in the slightest.

[circatbs]

so does "Dear Diary My Teen Angst Has A Body Count"
Haha good one.

[crookedneighbor]

A very fair review, but I found the ratings were a bit too high.

WTF happened to their screaming though?
They figured out how bad it is to scream in a pop/rock act. If you want screaming go to a band that does it well.

ben.

[samXcor3]

props to reviewer for using the words unpalatable and garish. vocab +10!

[muttley]

i wasn't going to check this album out...

...and i'm still not.

[andrewa5]

Nice review!
them without the little edge they had means very little to me!

[Kbm600]

Never any bias? Have you been here before? Not saying I like RJA that much but, still...
There isn't. Reviews that I've seen from the staff have all been fair.

[Phil507]

There isn't. Reviews that I've seen from the staff have all been fair.
If you don't think there is a certain sound that the reviewers on this website gravitate to (as a whole, obviously there are exceptions to the rule) than you clearly aren't reading carefully enough.

[Steve Henderson]

If you don't think there is a certain sound that the reviewers on this website gravitate to (as a whole, obviously there are exceptions to the rule) than you clearly aren't reading carefully enough.
There is a very distinct difference between taste and bias.

[fezmar9]

"Face Down" went platinum.

I already made this correction due to a suggestion from an informed party :)
I don't think this is true either. The RIAA Database (http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARC H) only lists "Don't You Fake It" as gold from The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.

[Kbm600]

If you don't think there is a certain sound that the reviewers on this website gravitate to (as a whole, obviously there are exceptions to the rule) than you clearly aren't reading carefully enough.
Most reviewers review the kinds of album they normally would like or listen to. None of the staff reviewed Hollywood undead, nobody listens to them. Drew for the most part reviews the majority of bmth and stuff like that, etc. There isn't any bias for almost all reviews that I've seen.

[newfoundmichael]

While I dislike this band's music, I thought you did a very professional job for the most part on showing the good in this album without the typical "trash review" that other people write on here. Way to be above that, Steve.

[ExplodingStereo]

I tried listening to "You Better Pray", but my computer was freezing up every couple of seconds. All I heard was the intro, and it sounded alright. Apparently I didn't miss much? RJA has never really caught my interest anyway, but it's an 16% from the users' votes? That's worse than what Brokencyde got, it's really THAT bad?

[chitownjosh]

Although a lot of this review is very true, I personally like this album and it's def a bit different from the first.

I really like the review in alternative press for this al um.
I thought it was spot on.
This one was pretty on but a bit harsh where it was undeserved.

[bananahammer]

seeing i dont agree with most of his reviews and he gave copeland a 92% then this cd should be awesome
agreed.

I didn't expect another "dont you fake it" out of common sense and the record turned out as non-perfect and interesting as I anticipated

[anthonydarko]

Oh boy a new Frisbee for me to go buy!!!! :-d

[Brett3]

This album fucking sucks.

[Twizx]

I tried listening to "You Better Pray", but my computer was freezing up every couple of seconds. All I heard was the intro, and it sounded alright. Apparently I didn't miss much? RJA has never really caught my interest anyway, but it's an 16% from the users' votes? That's worse than what Brokencyde got, it's really THAT bad?
It's probably not really that bad, most of the members on this site just vote to vote, especially since they're anonymous and won't get called on it. I would go off of the staff review.

[Steve Henderson]

I don't think this is true either. The RIAA Database (http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARC H) only lists "Don't You Fake It" as gold from The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.
They might not list singles? Not sure. Regardless, "Face Down" has sold over 1.5 million alone.

[circatbs]

I tried listening to "You Better Pray", but my computer was freezing up every couple of seconds. All I heard was the intro, and it sounded alright. Apparently I didn't miss much? RJA has never really caught my interest anyway, but it's an 16% from the users' votes? That's worse than what Brokencyde got, it's really THAT bad?
It's definitely not that bad. I actually enjoyed a few of the songs (2 or 3). However, most of them were just.......awful.


Nowhere NEAR as bad as BrokeNCYDE though.

[maniac R.O.D.]

I felt like you were too nice in the review. I understand that they do get a lot of shit, but at least now (having released this album) they are one step closer to deserving it.

[Nick Le]

seeing i dont agree with most of his reviews and he gave copeland a 92% then this cd should be awesome
No.

copeland deserved that 92
This. That's a great record.

Seriously. I thought that review was wrong. I'd rate ADTR as 71% nothing fantastic or breaking ground but still enjoyable.

Yeah, I agree...

And I really think You Better Pray is a horrible song...Good review.

[fezmar9]

They might not list singles? Not sure. Regardless, "Face Down" has sold over 1.5 million alone.
They list singles too. You can even search specifically for singles.

I know there is a step between selling a million copies, and having it certified as platinum. I think either the band or record label has to request for the RIAA to certify it or something. It's all very official business, that I do know.

[timb89]

how can members rate this?
is it even out yet?

[A7XBlink]

No Spell and Pen & Paper are great, but everything else is just decent and I don't know why they tried to go Saving Abel on us with the first single. Don't You Fake It was way better, but this wasn't that bad.

[circatbs]

how can members rate this?
is it even out yet?
Leaked.

[timb89]

The guitar work in that song is awful and should never be used in comparison to anything Slash made.
i was more leading to the cowbell in the drums, reminded me the most of gnr
and i wasnt saying that band was of equal amazingness to guns and roses

[A7XBlink]

I tried listening to "You Better Pray", but my computer was freezing up every couple of seconds. All I heard was the intro, and it sounded alright. Apparently I didn't miss much? RJA has never really caught my interest anyway, but it's an 16% from the users' votes? That's worse than what Brokencyde got, it's really THAT bad?
I tried listening to "You Better Pray", but my computer was freezing up every couple of seconds. All I heard was the intro, and it sounded alright.

The intro is the best part, once the words start it goes straight to the shitter lol. I had the same feeling when I heard it for the first time.

[SubrosaSeductiv]

We better pray they don't turn into another Creed cover band.

[dru]

el o el

[Freeride]

No, it is not a great record, it is boring as shit

It got rated better then TREOS' newest album which is just ridiculous and almost as good ast Act II by The Dear Hunter which is almost sickening

It may be just me though, I dont like the reviews on this site, especially after they gave metro staion's cd such a bad review

[Steve Henderson]

No, it is not a great record, it is boring as shit

It got rated better then TREOS' newest album which is just ridiculous and almost as good ast Act II by The Dear Hunter which is almost sickening

It may be just me though, I dont like the reviews on this site, especially after they gave metro staion's cd such a bad review
Comparing TREOS and TDH to Copeland is fucking pointless. All 3 are great records...get over it.

[Steve Henderson]

They list singles too. You can even search specifically for singles.

I know there is a step between selling a million copies, and having it certified as platinum. I think either the band or record label has to request for the RIAA to certify it or something. It's all very official business, that I do know.
If that's not correct, you should tell the label and their press department:

http://www.emigroup.com/Press/2008/press119.htm

Don’t You Fake It charted for 62 weeks on Billboard’s Top 200 while Face Down stayed atop the Top 20 Modern Rock airplay list for 52 weeks before being retired. Face Down earned the band platinum status by selling 1.5 million digital singles and has been streamed over 16.6 million times on MySpace

[TachyonEvan]

BWAHAHAHA. Hoobastank.

This is a bad, bad band.

[JustinDM]

This score is about right. There are a few choice picks from this album though, especially Pen & Paper.

[BulleTheory]

i actually think "You Better Pray" is the only song that is worth listening to on this album.

[BulleTheory]

There isn't. Reviews that I've seen from the staff have all been fair.
lol.

[Aneurisms07]

I think I'll give this a listen, but most likely won't end up buying it. I enjoyed some of the first album.

[Kbm600]

lol.
Everyone has their own opinion. It's okay. No need to be a immature brat and laugh at others.

[!!rawr]

I had been a fan of TRJA but right when I heard their single, "You Better Pray", I cringed and laughed.
Mainstream rock plagues the damn radio; TRJA, I thought, could represent Florida, prove that they are some loyal rock bands from Florida, but now, I shake my head in shame because Florida is just as bad as Canada, which is just as bad as this record.

[HelpMeSleep]

good review. now I'm kind of curious to hear this. I listened to You Better Pray and was completely turned off so I didn't listen to the rest.

[Keagan Ilvonen]

Good job as usual Steve, don't listen to all the hataz.

[Nolessthanblink]

I wouldn't wipe my ass with their single

[PMFtheman]

Yeah...one listen all the way through so far.

"You Better Pray" and "Pen And Paper" are the two best songs, followed closely by Represent.

The rest are "meh" to "god I dont care to ever hear that again."

The lyrics suck compared to DYFI.

Now I dont know if I even like this band anymor because I still crings at that album at times. It's good, but Ronnie's vocals annoy me sometimes and "Damn Regret" was awful.

Meh.

[Chancetobe]

I really liked this review. Good writing skills.

And I suppose it said what needed to be said to. As a fan of the debut, I now know that I'll probably enjoy a few tracks and be able to resist the urge to cringe if I know what tracks to skip. Sweet.

[mavfan321]

Hoobastank is fuckin amazing so is 30 seconds to mars and i wanna lick jared letos used dildos.

[roisterboy]

i threw up in my mouth when i heard "You Better Pray." The guitar solos in the beginning are cheesy as are the vocals. man, it's so bad. i feel horrible for these guys.

[JorynnRace]

It's like you reached into my brain and wrote the review that was in there.

When I first heard "You Better Pray".. I was pretty much livid. I could not believe that song ever made it past a self respecting producer.

Let's hope they take a page out of Funeral for a Friends book: Realize you pissed off half your fans, and go back to produce something that mostly redeems yourself.

[You Won't Know]

They lost me after I bought their first album. The demos I had more screams and a rougher/more raw sound. Then they dumbed down the actual record. Or their producer/mixer did. Either way, it pissed me off that I wasted my money trying to support a band and the actual record was even worst!

Regardless, this was never a good band, and this album is a predictable turn.

[twilightkiss]

seeing i dont agree with most of his reviews and he gave copeland a 92% then this cd should be awesome

Exactly, I mean this band is still fairly new to the industry so there not on top keys of there game. I think the album is very good. I'm a bit of picky listener when it comes to music, I'm not one of these who can contemplate the meaning behind lyrics and hit dead on. I listen for joy of it.This is one that won't be coming out of my Ipod or CD player for quite a while.

Favorited Tracks:

Step Right Up
Godspeed
You Better Pray
Lonely Road
Represent

[xheartzdesirex]

I would say that this is shit on toast... but it doesn't deserve such a kind analogy.

[Eleven:Ten]

As much as I don't like it, I find the first single very catchy.

[cereal4life]

Exactly, I mean this band is still fairly new to the industry so there not on top keys of there game. I think the album is very good. I'm a bit of picky listener when it comes to music, I'm not one of these who can contemplate the meaning behind lyrics and hit dead on. I listen for joy of it.This is one that won't be coming out of my Ipod or CD player for quite a while.


they're*

There are a plethora of bands who put out solid debut albums. RJA aren't that new to the industry at all; this is their sophomore. Even if they were new, it doesn't mean they deserve to be reviewed any differently. Steve gave a very fair review of the album, especially considering all the hate this band gets (some of it undeserved).

[ihavechappedlip]

Face Down seems like it was an accident. I saw them live and there was never any melody with the guitar players. It was just a sheer coincidence that they laid down on the right chords for face down... and the ONE guitar melody they have is in that song.

That song is very catchy and I have never gotten tired of hearing it. My biggest issue with them is that they are not anything at all live. The drummer has all of the energy. Ronnie gets into it when he does the occasional scream.. and one guitar player swung his guitar up during face down. Whoopee. Not much of a rock show, and not much of a rock band.

[EchoPark]

This album is a classic case of a band trying to distance themselves as far away from the scene material on their first albums that broke them in the first place.

Avenged Sevenfold,Atreyu,Alesana and Aiden all did the exact same thing

(and that is just pure coincidence that they all start with A)

[You Won't Know]

This album is a classic case of a band trying to distance themselves as far away from the scene material on their first albums that broke them in the first place.

Avenged Sevenfold,Atreyu,Alesana and Aiden all did the exact same thing

(and that is just pure coincidence that they all start with A)
I agree with the first two and last one. But Alesana?

They are the epitome of a scene band. I am not a huge fan but I don't mind them... but I mean seriously, they still have three different screamers. They aren't selling out anything, because it would mean such a dramatic change in their sound.

But yeah, RJA never really was part of our scene. They didn't come from an indie label and develop a fanbase. They signed major, had two or three mediocre songs and then a dumbed down full-length. This band never was good... nor are they now that they're pandering to alt. rock radio.

[alexiamaria]

I dont like You Better Pray either,but I do like the other single,Pen and Paper.It's pretty good.

[sullivancares]

I agree with You Better Pray! Not a good single, not at all. Also the lyrics in this album are just dire.

However I think the vocals are amazing, and the genre they are trying to reach, they have certainly kicked ass in nailing that.

[NinjaJew]

Great review Steve, my thoughts exactly concerning this album. In fact, I'd made the same comparison of 'You Better Pray' to Nickelback. Great minds...

[apocalyplease.]

If you really listen to Lonely Road, it will grow on you. I swear. It's not really that bad, just way different from their previous album. However, I do prefer Don't You Fake It to this one.

[apocalyplease.]

I agree with You Better Pray! Not a good single, not at all. Also the lyrics in this album are just dire.

However I think the vocals are amazing, and the genre they are trying to reach, they have certainly kicked ass in nailing that.
Yeah, my sentiments exactly.
But the lyrics are pretty good, in my humble opinion, for Pen & Paper.

[J@Y_BayBaY]

Okay so I've only head a few of the songs from the new CD and i agree they suk..
The last album was better..
How can they go from having a bit of and edge to none atal?

[chelseaxsmilexD]

i loved their old album... false pretense/face down/grim good-bye... but this is shit... y?

[anthonydarko]

The record that made RJA disappear.

[MBIIdollaBill]

i hate this record, espesh compared to their first CD

[ihavechappedlip]

You Better Pray.. is kindof cool. But it gets pretty lame, and... well just bad after a while

[ampfan]

when i hheard
you better pray
i was like what the fuck.
The whold album sonunds the same ,the songs sound the same to

[Hidden In NJ]

I admit I gave into the arousal around the band and bought The first album.
I admit I loved it, but

AFTER LISTENING TO
You Better Pray
I gave up on the band altogether....

Sucks but who cares...
they were just 5 lucky dudes from Florida

Great, truthful review.

What happened to them?

[MBIIdollaBill]

this band fell so far so fast :'(