Lonely Road

AMG Review of Lonely Road

Andrew Leahey
All Music Guide

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus enjoyed a good deal of crossover success in 2007, when "Face Down" became an enduring single on both pop and modern rock radio outlets. Rarely had an emo band dominated the Top 40, much less with a song that employed screaming vocals, and the group's debut album surged to platinum status as a result. Released two years later, Lonely Road attempts to replicate its predecessor's appeal with a wildly eclectic track list, all the while remaining rooted in the typical emo trappings of nasal vocals, anthemic choruses, and distorted guitar stabs. Veteran producer Howard Benson gives the album a meticulous studio polish, stacking guitar riffs like bricks; an honest-to-God gospel choir is even employed during the title track, welcoming Southern rock elements and Kid Rock-styled soul into the mix.