RED FLAG THE BITTER END ALBUM PLAN B RELEASE: MAY 14, 2002 REVIEW: JUNE 11, 2002

"Should they ever turn you to blue, dear, what will I do? And should they ever turn you to grey, dear, what will I say?". Two lines that will be forever connected to my discovery of modern synthpop. They are taken from one of my all time favourite tracks, "If I Ever" off the amazing debut "Naïve Art" by American duo Red Flag. Back then, in 1989, Mark and Chris Reynolds wrote lyrics about life, love and tragedy, often accompanied by pumping dance rhythms and impressive vocals. They still write lyrics about life, love and tragedy, but they seem to have fallen deeper into darkness with each release since "The Eagle and Child".
"The Bitter End", like its predecessor "Fear of a Red Planet", is a trip into pitch black surroundings in a shell of vague romanticism. I wonder why they keep pursuing melancholy, and only melancholy, on their most recent releases. I loved "The Crypt", but both "Fear of a Red Planet" and "The Bitter End" make me skip violently through the track list. It's too dark, to put it bluntly. I miss up beat tracks like "Count to Three", "Synthpopalooza" or "Nevermind http". Tempo is one aspect I miss, solid song writing another.
It's up and down on "The Bitter End". It starts out nicely with "A Life Worth Living", "The Pyramid Song" and "Metropolis Kiss", but from there on it's not as consistent. Mark and Chris, I still like your work and you can be as gloomy as you want, but mix it up a bit, please.
I hear some people do love this album and if you like dark, slow paced romantic synthpop this is a safe buy, but if you know the potential of Red Flag I suppose you'll agree with me when I hope that "The Bitter End" does not mark the end of their career but instead finishes their long run of bitterness.

NIKLAS FORSBERG