Universal Blues is the debut album by Chicago-based rock band The Redwalls, released in the United States on November 18, 2003 by Undertow Music. In 2007, the band re-released Universal Blues on Princeton Lane Records with six bonus tracks from early band demos.
Critical reception Reviewers frequently noted Universal Blues heavy debt to 1960s rock, particularly the Beatles. In a contemporary review for PopMatters, Adrien Begrand described the album as a throwback to mid-1960s British rock and wrote that listening to it was “instantly transported” to the early Beatles era, emphasizing the band’s focus on pop hooks amid the 2000s garage-rock revival. Begrand also highlighted specific Beatles-like details, including comparisons between Logan Baren’s vocal style and John Lennon and an observation that “Colorful Revolution” borrows a bassline associated with “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”.
An AllMusic review by critic Tim Sendra (reprinted by Qobuz) similarly framed the record as an overt homage to classic 1960s rock, citing influences including Dylan, the Beatles, CCR, and the Rolling Stones. Sendra was more critical of the band’s originality, characterizing the album as near “note-perfect” imitation, but argued that its enthusiasm and songcraft made it an enjoyable listen despite the derivativeness.
Track listing #TitleComposer(s)Time1"Colorful Revolution"Andrew Langer3:432"You'll Never Know"The Redwalls5:263"It's Alright"The Redwalls2:574"Speed Racer"The Redwalls2:285"How the Story Goes"The Redwalls3:566"It's Love You're On"The Redwalls2:457"What a Shame"The Redwalls3:088"Home"The Redwalls2:459"Balinese"ZZ Top4:3510"I Just Want to Be the One"The Redwalls2:2011"Universal Blues"The Redwalls3:33
Re-release bonus tracks "Let It Ride" "In My Song" "Better Days" "Please Listen" "Untrue" "Just a Day Away"
References