Ume Imports
2005
Red Book
About This Album
Across seven studio albums released at regular intervals over 16 years, Texas has maintained a focus on accessible pop/rock music that serves as a foundation for lead singer Sharleen Spiteri's evocative vocals. Within that focus, however, the band has tacked around considerably, and anyone comparing Red Book with 1989's debut, Southside, would hear considerable change. Texas started out with a sound anchored to Ally McErlaine's Ry Cooder-influenced electric slide guitar playing, but over the years the group has tried a little of everything, from Motown to hip-hop styles. There are no rappers, toasters, or Smokey Robinson impersonations on Red Book, but Texas has not returned to its original sound by any means. To begin with, McErlaine's contribution has shriveled. There are 11 different people credited with playing guitar on Red Book, but guitar is hardly the dominant instrument. What is? Um, "programming," as handled by Spiteri, band leader Johnny McElhone, and newcomer Michael Bannister. (Although there is no listing on the album of who is in the group at this point, it appears that Bannister has replaced longtime keyboard player Eddie Campbell, and drummer Neil Payne isn't much in evidence, either.
Track List (try tracks 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 and 10)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.