Red Medicine

''Red Medicine'' is the fourth studio album by the American post-hardcore band Fugazi, released on June 12, 1995, by Dischord Records. It is the band's most commercially successful album, peaking at number 126 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' 200 and number 18 on the UK Albums Chart.

Writing and recording

The group began work on ''Red Medicine'' in 1994, after touring in support of '' In on the Kill Taker''. The writing of the album involved several months of jam sessions and recording at Guilford House, a secluded country estate located in Guilford, Connecticut.

The album's recording sessions took place from January to February 1995 at Inner Ear Studios in Arlington, Virginia. The band worked with the engineer Don Zientara, but did not choose to work with the producer Ted Niceley again. Fugazi opted to retreat from the in-your-face production values of ''In on the Kill Taker'' and instead worked to create an ambient sound which would display greater depth. To achieve this, the band handled the production themselves and, in doing so, became more confident with in-studio experimentation. This is evident in the incorporation of short, sampled segues, ("Do You Like Me", "Birthday Pony"), instruments such as the clarinet (as heard on "Version"), and alternate tunings used on songs such as "Latest Disgrace" and "By You". Footage of the band both writing and recording the album can be seen in the film '' Instrument''.

Composition and music

On ''Red Medicine'', Fugazi began to move into more experimental styles of music, including noise punk, psychedelia ("By You") and dub ("Version"). Despite the increasing experimentation, some tracks on the album "return to he band'smore standard issue, hardcore roots," employing its trademark "soaring guitars". In the book '' Gimme Indie Rock'', music journalist Andrew Earles assessed: "A hard left turn into weirder waters, Red Medicine is the sound of Fugazi using its deserved freedom and following various creative muses. This means much of the band's previous anger gets left behind, with sadder, more ambient-sounding tracks uch as "Forensic Scene"and a greater pop sense taking over where outright journeys into experimental and retro-future visions don't." The album has been described as providing "a fresh take on what indie rock could do with guitars in 1995." According to Andy Kellman of ''AllMusic'', the album "packs more rhythmic punch and shows more range In on the Kill Taker''">han '' In on the Kill Taker'' With more drive and playful goings-on, the arrangements sound much looser than on ''Kill Taker'', while remaining just as gut-kicking and brainy." The album incorporates clarinet and sampling.

Release

Critical reception

The album was a critical success: Mark Kemp of ''Rolling Stone'' called the album "rock solid". Andy Kellman of AllMusic wrote, "With more drive and playful goings-on, the arrangements sound much looser than on '' Kill Taker'', while remaining just as gut-kicking and brainy."

Tour

Fugazi embarked on an extensive worldwide tour in support of the album, performing a total of 172 dates between March 1995 and November 1996.Perlah, Jeff. ''Guitar World''. March 2002.

Legacy and influence

Dennis Lyxzén of Refused considers ''Red Medicine'' to be his favorite Fugazi album and admitted that the band were influenced by it while recording '' Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent'' and ''The Shape of Punk to Come''. Mike Sullivan of Russian Circles cited the album, alongside Shellac's '' At Action Park'', as a major influence on his guitar-playing, noting that they "literally changed the way elooked at music". John Frusciante described the album as a "masterpiece". Pelican's Trevor de Brauw included ''Red Medicine'' among the 10 albums that influenced his guitar-playing, praising the harmonized guitar-leads on the track "Long Distance Runner," calling them "so sparse but...so emotionally effective. Paired with the lyrics, it packed a real wallop." Travis Shettel of Piebald listed ''Red Medicine'' as one of three albums (the others being '' Frame and canvas'' by Braid and '' Here's Where the Strings Come In'' by Superchunk) that had a profound influence on their music-making, even admitting that they "stole more bits and pieces and ideas from these three albums than I would like to admit."

Both Refused and No Knife covered "Bed for the Scraping". During their By the Way Tour, Red Hot Chili Peppers regularly played "Latest Disgrace" as the introduction to " Parallel Universe" and it has appeared on their '' Live at Slane Castle'' video.

Track listing

All songs by Guy Picciotto, Ian MacKaye, Joe Lally, and Brendan Canty.

Personnel

*Ian MacKaye – guitar, composer, vocals
*Guy Picciotto – guitar, clarinet, composer, vocals
* Joe Lally – bass guitar, composer, vocals
*Brendan Canty – drums, composer

Technical
*Jem Cohen – cover art, photography
*Fugazi – cover art, mixing, photography, primary artist
*Joey P. – photography
*Don Zientara – engineer

Chart positions

Album

References

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Fugazi albums
1995 albums
Dischord Records albums
Albums produced by Ian MacKaye
Art rock albums by American artists