“Don’t You Fake It,” masterpiece of the relatively new alternative sensation The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, bursts with excellent vocals, solid instrumentals, and powerful lyrics.

            The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus presents alternative rock with a mixture of pop-punk, screamo, and metal influences.  This blend is a perfect backdrop for the band’s lyrics, many of which deal with difficult issues.

            RJA’s superior sound is a result of Ronnie Winter’s lead vocals backed by Duke Kitchen and Elias Reidy on guitar, Joey Westwood on bass, and Jon Wilkes on drums.  The whole band also sings backup vocals.

            “In Fate’s Hands,” the album’s opening song, begins with a guitar solo and includes the album title: “Get close to me/And don’t you fake it.”  The song leaves a strong impression that is reinforced throughout the rest of the album and leaves the listener utterly in awe.

            The band’s most well-known song and first major single is the poignant track “Face Down.”  With gripping lyrics about domestic abuse, the song presents a bittersweet mixture of emotions and definitely inspires reflection. 

            Although most of the songs on this CD clearly exhibit the band’s harsher tendencies, the two more gentle tracks are also very strong.  “Cat and Mouse” is a touching ballad on the death of a loved one, and “Your Guardian Angel” is an impressive and emotional song about making sacrifices for love.

            “Don’t You Fake It” is an amazing album with heavier and more insightful content than most recent alternative rock album releases, and is definitely worth a listen.