Originally published in Verbicide issue #6

Red Lies and Black Rhymes is Songs for Emma’s second album in four years. The band has almost 20 years of music experience between them. Singer/guitarist Tommy Strange played in Ohio’s Ragged Bags (1982), and Strawman (1990s).

Songs for Emma have decided to use their music as a method of communication. They present their left-wing ideals through melodic songs, with raspy, poorly-timed lyrics. This is not an easy album to listen to, but if you pay attention to what is being said, then it is a powerful piece of work.

(Broken Rekids, PO Box 460402, San Francisco, CA, 94146-0402)