Vendetta Red's screaming is a howl

Anybody who listens to enough rock knows that a good scream doesn't come from the throat but rather the heart. Somebody needs to tell Vendetta Red.\nThe Seattle fivesome has referred to its style as "screamo," a style of emo where the vocal-ese from frontman Zach Davidson breaks off from crooning in the verses to the occasional scream, especially in the choruses. \nNow, there's nothing wrong with a good scream. Just listen to Grant Hart and Bob Mould shred their vocal cords on Husker Du's Zen Arcade. Davidson's screaming, matched against slightly gruff if undermixed guitars, sounds calculated, as if he's trying to stay on key.\nAs if that isn't pretentious enough, look at the first line of "Ambulance Chaser:" "In fiscal flight from the ravenous cavernous orifice asphyxiated form." Using incomprehensible lyrics like this just alienates the audience eventually if they can't identify with the artist.\nHaving said that, Vendetta Red has an anthemic bigness that screams rock star, and Rolling Stone named it one of ten new bands to watch in 2003. If the band gets big, it's because people will value its screaming and piety more than its lack of wit. The blind ambition wouldn't be minded if it came from the heart.