Redd Kross continues to mine kitschy '70s rock and pop, but nothing here matches the exuberance of the carefully crafted hooks on 1990's Third Eye. The McDonalds sound jaded and creepy as they sing about cruising for teena... more »ge girls on "Only A Girl" and "Afterschool Special," and only "Huge Wonder" and "Visionary" have the AM-radio singalong choruses that are a staple of the group's best tunes. --Jim DeRogatis« less
Redd Kross continues to mine kitschy '70s rock and pop, but nothing here matches the exuberance of the carefully crafted hooks on 1990's Third Eye. The McDonalds sound jaded and creepy as they sing about cruising for teenage girls on "Only A Girl" and "Afterschool Special," and only "Huge Wonder" and "Visionary" have the AM-radio singalong choruses that are a staple of the group's best tunes. --Jim DeRogatis
"I had the unique opportunity to visit Ocean Way studios on a mixing day for this CD. The sound coming off the board astonished me. I had recently become acquainted with Red Krosses new guitarist Eddie Kurdziel. He invited me to stop by. Now, I had heard early mix-downs, but nothing could have prepared me for the final product. These guys HAD IT!!! A hit record that showed not only the depth of there abilities as writers and players, but also that they had a group formula that jived (how many lineups the McDonald brothes had backing them up???? I think this is rhetorical). They backed up STP on tour for 2 years. Then, Phaseshifter faded into obscure oblivion. And that is just wrong, man.
You must get this record.
(Eddie Kurdziel RIP)"
Why aren't these guys playing stadiums?!
J. Ward | 01/03/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"With this collection Redd Kross proves once again that they are the most overlooked/under-rated band on the scene today and it's a DAMN SHAME!"Phase Shifter" contains infectious hooks combined with the kind of sensible power pop that ordinarily would sell millions. Unfortunately for all the talent contained within these grooves, Redd Kross goes virtually unnoticed by mass pop marketeers. In short if you love "Power Pop" with an edge, you owe it to yourself to give this CD more than one spin. It is nothing less than a masterpiece of heart felt pop craftmenship."
Do yourself a huge favor...
matthew fisher | east lansing, MI | 03/25/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"i bought this album 7 years ago six months after it came out...the reason that i am writing this now is because this is the best album ever made. it is sad that this isn't even in print anymore, and even sadder that soooooo few people have ever even heard it. even those familiar with redd kross barely know this album. very unfortunate...if you ever liked the beatles you need this album. if you ever liked nirvana you need this album. if you've ever even heard of the term 'rock'n'roll' you need this album. everyone needs this like they need air. i am not kidding. i've listened to this album literally thousands of times and i still get shivers listening to many of the songs. i have yet to hear a more perfect hook than 'ms. lady evans'. defintely a breath of fresh air in today's musical climate... to say the very least."
Best amalgam of KISS and Partridge Family ever-then some!
matthew fisher | 11/26/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I could go on and on about this album, but I'll be brief. It's not as endearing as its predecessor, "Third Eye," but it's better. It has so much crunch it crunches you, so much dirt it dirties you. But at the same time, it's sugary sweet. If you had to epitomize Redd Kross in sound, this is it. Hard enough to rock, sweet enough to swoon. This is one of the Top 50 of the 90s. I recommend it. But be forewarned: you might not dig it right away, at least to listen all the way through. It's so heavy and noisy, it may turn off some listeners, even those who love post-punk. But stay with it. It will grow, and you'll appreciate it."
The 1970s are back. . . again
David Susnjara | 01/21/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The 1970s are back. . . again, and dammit, we sure had fun back then, didn't we? Redd Kross's PHASESHIFTER is homage to those daze gone bye bye. Cross the Partridge Family with Kiss and the Beatles and you'll have Red Kross. . . kind of. "Lady In The Front Row" steals the lead from "Ticket To Ride" and then shifts to arena rock mode with a background harmony chorus that'll have you searching the room for Laurie and Mrs. Partridge, if not David Cassidy. "Monolith" is simple Beatlesesque and epic at the same time. Red Kross also rip off (with gleeful pleasure, I might add) some lines from an Air Supply song. Sickly, the whole package works wonderfully. Oh, happy days!"