Stream: Redd Kross, ‘Beyond the Door’

Kevin Bronson on May 31st, 2019

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Born in the 1970s, reborn in the mid-2000s and relentlessly carrying on like eternal teenagers, Redd Kross have announced the impending arrival of a new album. “Beyond the Door” comes out Aug. 23 on Merge Records, the label that issued the band’s excellent comeback album “Researching the Blues” in 2012.

The album reflects Redd Kross’ “total commitment to having the best f*cking time we can have while we’re all still here,” and you know they’re saying that with a smile and wink. After all, they’re veterans who say “Beyond the Door” is inspired by K-pop, glitter gangs, embarrassed tweens, long-term relationships and a mysterious character named Fantástico Roberto.

Founding brothers Jeff and Steven McDonald are now joined in the lineup by guitarist Jason Shapiro and Melvins drummer Dale Crover (also Steven McDonald’s bandmate in Keith Morris’ OFF!). While Jeff McDonald was responsible for almost all the songwriting on the 2012 album, this one is more collaborative. “Jeff is still very much the driving force behind the compositions, but with more help from me than ever,” Steven says. “Jeff and I haven’t shared this much of the writing and singing since ‘Born Innocent’ in 1981.” There also are guest turns from Anna Waronker (That Dog), Geré Fennelly, Buzz Osborne (Melvins) and Josh Klinghoffer.

||| Stream: “Beyond the Door”