Rated R
Studio album by
Red
ReleasedSeptember 29, 2023 (2023-09-29)
Length33:50
LabelRed Entertainment, The Fuel
ProducerAnthony Armstrong
Red chronology
Declaration
(2020)		 Rated R
(2023)
Singles from Rated R
  1. "Surrogates"
    Released: August 4, 2023
  2. "Cold World"
    Released: September 1, 2023
  3. "Minus It All"
    Released: September 1, 2023

Rated R is the eighth studio album by American Christian rock band Red. It was released on September 29, 2023 through the band's independent label Red Entertainment in collaboration with The Fuel Music. The album was produced by Anthony Armstrong, the band's guitarist. It is the first album to feature the band's new drummer Brian Medeiros.[1][2][3]

Background

The album is produced by the band's guitarist, Anthony Armstrong, making it their first studio album to be entirely self-produced. Joe Rickard, who is the band's long-time friend and former drummer, did the mixing for the album, a role he also provided on their previous album, Declaration.[4]

Release and promotion

The group's first live album, Until We Have Faces: Live and Unplugged, was released on December 2, 2022.[5] During the announcement of the live album's release, the band also announced that they will release a new album sometime in spring 2023.[6] The band went on both headlining tours and supporting tours with American bands Alter Bridge, Mammoth WVH and Pistols at Dawn for January and the majority of February.[7]

On January 24, 2023, they revealed the name of the new album on their Facebook page.[8] In February 2023, the band released a snippet that shows a string recording session for the album.[9] On June 16, the band revealed the album would be released on September 29, 2023, while also stating that the lead single of the album titled "Surrogates" would be available for all streaming services on August 4.[4] The band also announced they embark on the "Rated R Tour", which starts in September and carries on until 2024.[4] On August 4, the band released the single.[10][11][12] On September 1, the band unveiled two singles "Cold World" and "Minus It All".[13][14]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Jesus Freak Hideout[15]
[15]
Sputnikmusic[16]

Jesus Freak Hideout said of the album, "Rated R is far less controversial than the title implies but fitting in the sense that it is a thoroughly Red album filled with hard-hitting guitar riffs, the unmistakable emotional vocals of Michael Barnes, and an abundance of strings. A step up from the already strong Declaration (but perhaps not quite as ambitious as Of Beauty and Rage), this is a satisfying and evocative entry for the RED catalog."[15] Tyler White for Sputnikmusic said, "While Rated R feels like a stronger return to form following Declaration and Gone, the band still feels like it's reaching for what they've lost from the past. The orchestral elements are back, the production has improved, and Red has brought back their darker side, it doesn't quite meet the same peaks as Innocence & Instinct or Of Beauty and Rage. Nevertheless, this is a step back in the right direction for the band as they bring back the elements and style they were once excelling at."[16]

Track listing

Rated R track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Surrogates"Anthony Armstrong, Joe Rickard3:00
2."Your Devil Is a Ghost"A. Armstrong, Lucio Rubino3:11
3."Minus It All"A. Armstrong3:24
4."Cold World"A. Armstrong, Keith Wallen3:09
5."Tell Me How to Say Goodbye"A. Armstrong, Rubino, Jeremy Thomas3:49
6."The Suffering"A. Armstrong, Michael Barnes3:29
7."Still Bleeding"A. Armstrong, Rubino, Barnes3:22
8."Our Time Will Come"A. Armstrong, Wallen3:44
9."Last Forever"A. Armstrong, Rubino, Barnes3:20
10."Emergency"A. Armstrong, Barnes, Jason McArthur3:22
Total length:33:50

Personnel

Red

  • Michael Barnes – lead vocals
  • Anthony Armstrong – guitars, backing vocals, additional vocals (2), programming, production
  • Randy Armstrong – bass, backing vocals, piano, executive production
  • Brian Medeiros – drums

Additional musicians

  • Teirney Armstrong – additional vocals (5)
  • Elizabeth Lamb – viola
  • Monica Angelo – viola
  • Carole Rabinowitz – cello
  • Paul Nelson – cello
  • David Angell – violin
  • Karen Winkelmann – violin
  • Janet Darnall – violin
  • Ali Hoffman – violin

Additional personnel

  • Joe Rickard – mixing, additional programming
  • Ted Jensen – mastering
  • David Davidson – string arrangement, orchestration
  • Clayton Blue – drum engineering
  • Randy Beasterfield – drum engineering (1)
  • Taylor Pollert – string engineering
  • Mike Plotnikoff – guitar engineering
  • Jay Wud – additional programming
  • Lucio Rubino – additional programming, co-production (5)
  • Courtney Dellafiora – artwork, design, photography

Charts

Declaration chart performance
Chart (2023) Peak
position
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[17] 10
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[18] 98
US Top Current Album Sales (Billboard)[19] 63

References

  1. ↑ "Red Release New Song "Surrogates"". Indie Vision Music. August 6, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  2. ↑ ""Surrogates" By Red Is Setting Rock Into Full Swing". Glasse Factory. August 14, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  3. ↑ "RED RELEASES FIRST STUDIO ALBUM IN THREE YEARS, RATED R, SEPT. 29". Jesus Freak Hidout. August 4, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 Our album RATED R is coming out..., retrieved July 12, 2023
  5. ↑ "RED to release live and unplugged version of popular album". RadioU. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  6. ↑ "RED Releases Their First Live Album Today with Another Coming in 2023". JubileeCast. December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  7. ↑ "ALTER BRIDGE Announce 2023 North American Tour With Guests MAMMOTH WVH, RED, PISTOLS AT DAWN". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  8. ↑ "RED". Facebook. Red. January 24, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2023. Our new album "RATED R" COMING SPRING 2023
  9. ↑ Recording strings today for our new album 'RATED R', retrieved July 12, 2023
  10. ↑ "Red releases new single, "Surrogates"". RadioU. August 4, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  11. ↑ "RED Releases Surrogates, Lead Single from RATED R Album". Jesus Wired. August 4, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  12. ↑ "RED to Release New Album 'Rated R'; Premiere Lead Single "Surrogates"". V13. August 17, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  13. ↑ "RED Releases Double Single, 'Cold World' / 'Minus It All' + Announces Headline Tour". CCM Magazine. September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  14. ↑ "RED Releases Double-Sided Single, "Cold World" / "Minus It All"; Tickets Available Now For RED's Headline Fall "The RATED R Tour"". Sidestage Magazine. September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  15. 1 2 3 Baldwin, Matt (September 22, 2023). "JFH Staff Review: Red – Rated R". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  16. 1 2 White, Tyler (October 11, 2023). "Review: Red (USA) - Rated R - Sputnikmusic". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Red Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Top Album Sales 10-14-2023". Billboard. October 14, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Top Current Album Sales 10-14-2023". Billboard. October 14, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
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