David Cassidy on the News
Recordings - Redd Kross: 'Third Eye'
January 22, 1991
By Geoffrey Himes
The Washington Post
The three members of Redd Kross dress up like psychedelic veterans (long straight hair, paisley and tie-dye shirts), but they are actually veterans of the Southern California punk scene. Founded by brothers Jeffrey and Steven McDonald in 1978 when Steven was an 11-year-old bassist, the band parlayed its novelty value into a steady recording career. Steven is now 23, and "Third Eye" (Atlantic) is his fourth album with Redd Kross, which is now pursuing the psychedelic hard-rock practiced by King's X.
Redd Kross can't match the catchy melodies, vocal harmonies or funk bass of King's X, but it doesn't take itself very seriously (Susan Cowsill of the Cowsills sings on several songs) and its irreverent humor is a relief after King's X's hippie evangelism. Typical is "Bubblegum Factory," a silly but infectious tribute to late-'60s bubblegum music and the guilty pleasures of Ohio Express and the 1910 Fruitgum Co. Like much of "Third Eye," the song sounds like "Yummy Yummy Yummy" as done by the Electric Prunes -- that is, buoyant pop fluff embellished with guitar freak-outs, unrestrained drum bashing and chorale harmonies.
The McDonald brothers will costar with their hero David Cassidy in the forthcoming film "Spirit of '76," and the new Redd Kross album contains the film's theme song, "1976," a nostalgic tribute to platform shoes, Afros, Camaros and gasoline lines. "Third Eye" lives up to its title with psychedelic touches such as droning guitar harmonies and raga drums, but the album works best when Red Kross celebrates frivolous pop, playing catchy guitar riffs and singing about a girl who won't comb her hair.
