Get hip to this band now, because it is only a matter of time until RDGLDGRN is everywhere. Hailing from Reston, Va., the trio has developed a blend of indie-rock and hip-hop that is ridiculously infectious and long on crossover appeal.
In anticipation of its forthcoming full-length debut, the band has released the Red Gold Green EP. It is a brief four tracks, but a solid argument for RDGLDGRN being the next big thing out of the DMV.
Oh yeah, the band may also benefit from the contributions of two fellow Virginians. This guy named Dave Grohl plays drums on the entire EP, while super-producer Pharrell Williams lends his talents to the track “Doing the Most.” We guess that will help build some buzz, right?
The future is looking pretty bright for the trio who identify themselves only as Red, Gold and Green, respectively.
The opening track, “I Love Lamp” works as an introduction to the band’s guitar-centric indie-rock/rap. On paper, that combo sounds about as good as the early 2000s rap-rock phenomenon, but this music is actually crafted to combine elements of both genres. It is not just a lame-ass “rapper” shouting weak-ass lines on an over-produced metal song (i.e. Limp Bizkit).
“You’re Doing the Most,” is a testament to the trio’s well-polished amalgam of genres. The song drifts from electro-indie pop to hip-hop to a passable go-go breakdown without a hitch. The craziest part is Dave Grohl’s ability to nail the go-go section. Most fans are very aware of Grohl’s percussive prowess, but the idea of him deftly executing a go-go groove seems bizarre.
The following track, “Million Fans,” is basically a straight hip-hop song, and highlights Green as a more-than-capable emcee. The bounce of the track is reminiscent of mid-90s New York hip-hop.
Closing out RDGLDGRN’s debut EP is “Hey O.” The track returns to the guitar-driven indie-rock of the EP’s opener and boasts another insanely catchy hook. The bright, uptempo track seems like an odd palette for a song that centers on the inability to find work in a financial crisis, but it works.
This is just the tip of the iceberg for RDGLDGRN. Its full-length debut is due out this summer on Fairfax Recordings and it appears Grohl will continue to lend his talents behind the drums and mixing board.
