Red Means Run remind you of the Things You Hold True on their rousing, rough-hewn and richly rewarding debut album — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
The Philadelphia band’s first release in eight years finds sandpaper-piped singer-guitarist and songwriter Ryan Wells and co. more than making up for lost time. Familiar without feeling derivative, nostalgic without sounding dated, sincere without turning maudlin, Things You Hold True is an earthy, earnest and energetic creation that hits the sweet spot between Americana, alt-country and Heartland roots-rock. If you need a soundtrack for your next road trip, look no further. Just crank this up on repeat, roll down the windows and head for the horizon.
But make no mistake; Things You Hold True works just as well closer to home. On these 10 tracks, Wells expands beyond his alt-country roots and leans into the rock ’n’ roll side of his band’s persona, setting gently crunching riffs and ringing chords against swelling B3 runs and muscular, tight rhythms. With melodic hooks and poignant lyrics, the new songs explore enduring beliefs, relationships and the ties that bind us all.
Produced by Derek Chafin (BarnSound and a|i|r records) and featuring an array of veterans of the Philly music scene, Things You Hold True proves once again you can’t do wrong with by mixing old-school heart with big, open chords. It draws a straight line from Johnny Cash to Tom Petty to The Replacements to Son Volt and beyond. But ultimately, it stands on its own two feet and claims its own spot in the roots-rock landscape.
Formed in 2012 and lifting the band name from Neil Young’s classic Powderfinger, Red Means Run is a vehicle for singer-songwriter Wells, whose songs paint vivid snapshots of people struggling with the enduring themes of love, loss, heartache and redemption. Their first two EPs, All Things Said and Done (2013) and Love of Blindness (2016), earned comparisons in sound to early Wilco, Waco Brothers and Whiskeytown. They’ve come a long way since then. And there’s still plenty of road ahead.
Listen to Things You Hold True below, watch the video for Isn’t What I Wanted above, and find Ryan Wells and Red Means Run on their website, Instagram and Facebook.
