Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Face Down

If you wedge open a crack between Fall Out Boy and All-American Rejects, that's where you're likely to find Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. "Face Down" does manage to distinguish itself from the hoard of competing bands and songs by taking a direct look at domestic violence.

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Although the basic punk pop approach of Red Jumpsuit Apparatus in "Face Down" is rather ordinary, the lyrical concern for spousal abuse in the song calls for a second listen. Apparently, some listeners have mistaken the song for being about an attack on both the male and female protagonists of the song. However, the band has made clear the song is about violence between partners. They are donating proceeds from sales of t-shirts and wristbands related to the song's subject matter to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

There is significant drama in the words of "Face Down," but the words can be lost on many listeners due to the ordinary musical setting of the song. As you find yourself singing along to "Do you feel like a man when you push her around? Do you feel better now as she falls to the ground?" it does slowly sink in that there is something serious going on in the lyrical content. Unfortunately, the emotional punch of great pop issue songs of the past is missing.

As a number of the pioneers of the recent pop punk wave are moving on in more experimental directions, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus are exploiting an empty niche in current pop radio playlists. However, the band is unlikely to remain long in the spotlight without demonstrating something more unique in their music.