Fred Mascherino’s decision to quit Taking Back Sunday and instead go solo may well have been a surprise to many. Bearing in mind his background in Breaking Pangaea – and the fact John Nolan had previously quit to start a band (Straylight Run) he wanted to sing in – it’s perhaps not quite as shocking. Needless to say The Color Fred doesn’t really break rank from what you’d expect – perhaps more poppy versions of TBS songs mixed in with Dashboard Confessional at times. It makes for a decent and entertaining record, even if it’s not wholly original or exciting.
Truth be told this album starts well and gets a bit more dull as it goes on. ‘If I Surrender’ is arguably the best track here, a song which reminds me of New End Original with a spit and polish and a nice radio-friendly chorus. It wouldn’t be too out of place on the last TBS album either. ‘Bend To Break’ follows this pattern all the way through. There are entertaining tracks which make you sit up and singalong, but they’re a bit TBS-lite. And when Fred does break that mould, he reaches straight into another – ‘I Didn’t See’ and ‘The Tragedy’ are quite plain and simple, reasonably effective, tracks – by copying Chris Carrabba.
Lou Giordano’s impeccable production certainly gives this album the sheen it needs for a couple of minor radio hits and almost certainly a dedicated fanbase. But while this album is a good, solid listen, it probably doesn’t veer away enough from his previous bands to warrant the ‘essential listening’ tag.