Living And Surviving by Red Umbrella

Reviewed by Graeme Crawford

"Are you living or merely surviving?" is the question Canadian quartet Red Umbrella wants you to consider on their second album. They attempt to help you work through it by utilising biblical truths in their stories. Opener "Prison Side" is about a judgmental person who discovers that the judged can also claim against him. "Whisper All Of Your Love" talks of how, when we look back, we can see the times God was talking softly to us, but that it can be difficult to hear at the time. Dennis and Jeremy Michaelis are the band's songwriters, vocalists and guitarists, as well as keyboardist (Dennis) and producer (Jeremy), however the foremost instrument is the bass guitar which gives their rock a slightly funky, danceable element when combined with the keyboards. "Beckoning" and the title track have an '80s feel, almost disco in a way. "Forest Fire" would sit nicely on Franz Ferdinand's debut, while "Boompop" brings in more of a hip-hop/urban vibe even before the appearance of guest MC Playdough. Despite Jeremy Michaelis having an unspectacular, almost anonymous voice, the boys know how to write a tune. The songs are so catchy that I have found myself singing their choruses at work! Red Umbrella have definitely found that sought-after formula and may well turn their increasing Stateside Christian radio airplay into more mainstream success. A rather ill-fitting cover of Seeger's "Turn! Turn! Turn!" aside, this is a toe-tapping, thought-provoking album.