Red Thread Tension Pins CD

In the vein of Bay Area legends Red House Painters, the Red Thread -- basically the nom de rock for singer/songwriter Jason Lakis -- peppers its somberness with tinges of warm Americana on Tension Pins. Lakis' sophomore set is superbly written, with repeated listens to songs like "New Watch" and "Map of the Moon" supporting its elegance. Relaxed but hauntingly executed, "The Getaway" and "From the Divide" are sophisticated and strangely memorable. One can't help wanting to lump Lakis in with American Music Club frontman Mark Eitzel based on his vocal turn on the latter, although the Red Thread's mouthpiece also regularly recalls Idaho's Jeff Martin. But the man's instrumental prowess on "Postcards" and his ability to pepper his own heartache with pedal steel find Lakis carving out his own identity. Expect the Red Thread's Tension Pins to influence busloads of lovelorn troubadours in the years to come. ~ John D. Luerssen

The debut album from the red thread, After the Last, is what happened when Jason Lakis took his finely-crafted tunes to friends from various Bay Area bands, and came back with a musical offering of slow-burning beauty and a sprinkling of countrified charm. The new album, "Tension Pins," further builds on Jason's hypnotic voice with its blend of soulful Americana and finely crafted somber pop tunes.A critically acclaimed album, After the Last enjoyed a smothering of positive press including write-ups in MOJO, CMJ Monthly, and Uncut to name a few.12 months, a national tour and a minor line-up change later, the red thread return with Tension Pins, to be released in early 2004. While venturing into some new territories, Tension Pins still maintains the band's signature laid back, west coast feel.Reviews:"The nine songs on their debut LP, After The Last, use minor chords and Morricone-esque string plucking to mold moody pop that weaves in intricate country influences. The sound is more soulful Americana delivered from the heart than tear-in-my-beer Nashville fare, and judging by the lazy yet assured melodies, it's also obvious that the Red Thread is equally well-versed in '90s indie rock. Lakis' voice sounds weathered and strong even when he sings softly, and the spaghetti-western guitar licks, so often overdone, are refreshingly devoid of cheese here. After The Last boasts some fine examples of serious pop music, and highlights that come from other moods: The beautifully understated cover of Bad Brains' classic "Sailin' On," a hypnotic and almost unrecognizable departure from the original, and "Subject To Change," a great comedown after a night of heavy partying and heavier heartache." - CMJ Monthly"The Red Thread delivers an album most strongly marked by the auburn hue of a late-night/early-morning slide guitar that works its way into the slow-burning songs of frontman Jason Lakis. Those who long for the peaceful, easy feelings of West Coast harmony revisionists such as Beachwood Sparks may find a more downtrodden kin in the Red Thread. Closer still may be the Radar Brothers, only without the David Gilmour fixation. Throw in some Hayden and Joe Pernice's soft-rock musings and now you know where the band's inspiration lies." - East Bay Express"Jason Lakis has the kind of hypnotic voice that Will Oldham never quite perfected. And the fact that he punctuates his gently floating countrified melodies with pedal steel guitar just makes the music he and his band members create as The Red Thread all the more mystifying. After the Last is melancholy without being suicidal, pretty without being cute and rock solid without being overwrought. Occasional Wurlitzer beds and shimmering vibes accentuate Lakis' songs perfectly, making The Red Thread a miracle amalgam of Idaho, Calexico and, believe it or not, Versus on a quiet morning. You're gonna love this!" - Alibi"Jason 'Red Thread' Lakis has abandoned his more monochrome Half Film persona and taken solace in sombre, tenderly weather-beaten West Coast rock. A countrified coveUncut (p.83) - 3 stars out of 5 - "There's ambition here...and a skip in the stride..."
CMJ (3/08/04, p.5) - "TENSION PINS requires patience and attention - but the more you listen, the more wisdom it will offer."