''Start with a Strong and Persistent Desire'' is the debut album by English

alternative rock Alternative rock, or alt-rock, is a category of rock music that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1970s and became widely popular in the 1990s. "Alternative" refers to the genre's distinction from Popular culture, mainstre ...

band

Vex Red Vex Red are a band from Aldershot, England who merge hard rock with electronica. History 1995-2003: Early years and ''Start with a Strong and Persistent Desire'' Vex Red formed in 1995 in Aldershot, United Kingdom. The band self released two ...

. It was released on 4 March 2002 through

I Am I Am or I'm may refer to: Language and literature * "I Am that I Am", a common English translation of the response God used in the Hebrew Bible when Moses asked for His name ** I am (biblical term), a Christian term used in the Bible * "I Am" (po ...

records. The album charted at number 48 on the

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and also spent two weeks on the chart. Two singles were released from the album. "Itch" was released in 2001, followed by "Can't Smile" in 2002 which reached number 45 in the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

. The album was produced by nu metal producer Ross Robinson, who also signed the band to his

Virgin Records Virgin Records is a record label owned by Universal Music Group. It originally founded as a British independent record label in 1972 by entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Simon Draper, Nik Powell, and musician Tom Newman. It grew to be a worldwid ...

imprint "I Am" in the early 2000s

Critical reception

Critical reception to the album was positive upon release.

Drowned in Sound ''Drowned in Sound'', sometimes abbreviated to ''DiS'', is a UK-based music webzine financed by artist management company Silentway. Founded by editor Sean Adams, the site features reviews, news, interviews, and discussion forums. History ''D ...

scored the album highly, reviewer Sajini Wijetilleka had particular praise for "Can't Smile", speaking of the track; "Sequenced-synth loops, emotional vocals and energised guitar swirls give us the excellent ‘Can’t Smile’, the best record that Gavin Rossdale wanted to, but could never ever make.".

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reviewer April Long gave the album positive write up stating; "The title says it all. Underpinning every spastic roar and raging riff on Vex Red‘s debut is the burning desire to make something enormous, resonant and real.".

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...

gave the album 3/5 stars summarizing about the bands potential; " Vex Red take it a step further and become their own men. They might just evolve into greatness.".

Track listing

Personnel

Vex Red * Terry Abbot – lead vocals, guitar * Ash Soan – drums, percussion * Ant Forbes – guitar, keyboards * Nick Goulding – bass guitar, guitar * Keith Lambert - bass guitar, programming Production personnel * Ross Robinson – Producer

Charts

Release history

References

{{Authority control 2002 debut albums Virgin Records albums