It would be a daring and clever move for an indie rock lovelorn emo band to sign to Trustkill Records with having the reputation of signing hardcore, skull crushing bands to their roster. That was exactly Roses Are Red's plan; to break that reputation. Calling Rochester, New York their home after forming in late months of 2002 and sharing the stage with such known hardcore acts as Norma Jean and Evergreen Terrace. This powerful and melodic rock force are doing all they can to become your new favorite band and the release of their newest disc "Conversations" is bringing them that much closer. With no delay other then a quick drum roll we are introduced to a detonation of power pop and beauty. Associated with admirable vocal notes and structures. The incredible lyric lines and vocal hits are sure to get you singing along on future listens. The first track "White and Gold" is a sure grand opening and has a future video in the works. Track after track, Roses Are Red push listeners hard and introduce them into a new emo and somewhat glamorous direction they are taking with their choice of music. Other notable tracks such as "oceans" which skip the choruses to add a tasteful and bewildering piano additions and the epic and self titled track "Conversation" that loads up and expresses a true love letter style of rock that ends to this debut Trustkill release perfectly and in style. Roses Are Red fit right into the category of the late 90's Vagrant roster. What would seem to become a generic emo genre is clearly an understatement. Without the addition of a scream or a growl what so ever, being on a recorded label that seems to focus more eon the mosh pit, the lack of screams and or harmonies allows most of the singing to become their downfall; at times not picking up or changing that much through out the album. Call it emo or call it fashion core; call it good is all that I need to say.

Roses Are Red use the sung melodies verses screamed harmonies approach, which is always an attention grabber. Vocalist Vincent Minervino does throw some piano accompaniment into the mix for some added flare. It's also important to note that Minervino's vocals are strong and mature sounding. They are crisp, powerful and convincing. Topically, almost every song on Conversations has to do with girls and relationships, which is a topic that's too often overused. Luckily, Roses Are Red takes a metaphorical approach toward their lyrics and don't whine about things. "300 Motion Pictures" is about not falling into a girl's trap, while "Time Signals Progress" feels like it's about long distance relationships. The up and down guitar licks give Conversations a hook filled, buoyant feeling, along with the fret board slides that allow for slow motion leaps off the stage. Conversations will more than likely be embraced by scenesters all ready familiar with similar sounding artists, but Roses Are Red will need to throw in an ultra creative touch the next time around to really get heard.

These days we've been seeing a continuous stream of melodic hardcore bands, and you'd think we'd be pretty damn sick of them by now. So why is the debut album by Roses Are Red, Conversations, so entrapping? Because even if the band hasn't accomplished a new or unique genre, what it has accomplished is taking the genre and throwing together a damn good album. The band's been touring with Underoath, which is great match, as Roses Are Red's sound is a version that focuses less on the screamo appeal and more on the melodic undertones. Roses Are Red is right at home on the Trustkill roster and brilliantly blends its hardcore energy with dazzling guitar. There isn't a boring moment on the whole ten-song record. I decided that "White and Gold" was most likely the best song on the album. Then I got to track two and suddenly I didn't know what to think. Each song is tightly screwed together, obviously the result of long and hard work spent putting the record together. While the songs aren't as rough or hardcore as some scenemates, the band has found a way to amp up the harmonic attributes without sacrificing any of the hardcore energy. This element alone makes the album an impressive listen. The guitars meld together excellently, with the lead guitar floating enchantingly over the powerful rhythm riffs. Bass and drums flood each track with the type of energetic style that most other bands find themselves falling short of. The vocals fit the style perfectly, and although Vincent's vocal style isn't totally distinct, it stays enjoyable to hear track after track. The piano contribution made by Vincent to several of the songs adds to the band's sound. "Conversations," the closing track, makes sure you don't let the band fade. While some of the other tracks do start to blend into one another without much distinction the incendiary riffs and catchy vocal tracks do start to blend into one another without much distinction the incendiary riffs and catchy vocal hooks of the last song grab you by the collar and make sure you're paying attention to a song that leaves you wishing for just one more track. If you're getting tired of the melodic hardcore styles of today's scene music, you may want to look for something other than this album. But if you're willing to dive into another display of just how good this type of sound can get, Roses Are Red is a band more than ready to impress. This CD isn't leaving my personal listening rotation anytime soon, and it definitely belongs with any hardcore cult favorites.

Roses Are Red have taken modern hardcore's fascination with fashionable aesthetics to its logical conclusion with the hair-band worship of Conversations. The follow-up to their 2003's Handshakes and Heartbreaks sees the otherwise straight-ahead Hot Topic by band mining pomposity of arena-rock bands and the less remembered emo set with surprising success. Conversations is as much a love letter to the original Headbanger's Ball as it is to Vagrant Records' late-90s roster, blending the heavier end of indie rock with the textured escapism of lovelorn emo wrapped up in genuine crotch-grabbing intensity. It isn't groundbreaking, but it's undeniably interesting. Oh, and it rocks.

Line Between Emo and Rock Gets Blurred: Trustkill has positioned itself as a major player in the hardcore and metalcore scene with breakout bands Eighteen Visions, Poison the Well, and Most Precious Blood. And like any good record label, the powers that be have wisely ventured into other styles of music to keep the irons in several fires. Roses Are Red, like their more rock oriented labelmates Armsbendback and Open Hand, goes beyond the parameters of the mosh pit. Thanks to their emotionally vibrant vocals, Roses Are Red is a band well suited for the Warped Tour. Some shrill guitarwork and strategically placed screams creep into the mix, but for the most part, Conversations is upbeat, perky with pop rock with a penchant for lyrics that'll appeal to kids who aren't old enough to drink. Many of the songs are structured like Thursday, only Roses Are Red is much cleaner and tidier. The album is catchy, but it's not quite strong enough to take up permanent real estate in your brain. Because the pop-meets-rock-meets-emo market is overpopulated, the normal fan that gobbles up these bands might not be hip to Roses Are Red right away. However, metalcore audiences might find this disc appealing because it's a nice change of pace from what the label normally puts out.

I hadn't really heard much of this band before the package was dropped in my lap by the great guys over at warmfuzzy. As of late, I've seen some on again off again material out of Trustkill (that Armsbendback record really struck me the wrong way) but they've been on a streak lately of picking bands out of the masses that really have, as cheesy as this sounds, "what it takes". And Roses Are Red for sure does. As they've been described by so many other publications, time and time again, this is an "intelligent" rock band, actually blurring the lines between rock, hair metal, and emo. So basically, you're looking at a bunch of dudes who know what they're good at and push it as far as they can. As far as comparing this record to some things that you might have heard before, I'd say somewhere between Boys Night Out, Taking Back Sunday, Bon Jovi, or Hey Mercedes. Pretty much every one of these songs could be taken for use as a single, they're all catchy and will grab you by the face. Listen to this record, and you won't be able to take it out of your rotation.

When I saw that these guys were on Trustkill I mad an assumption: metalcore. Assuming makes an ass out of ...me most of the time. One often doesn't associate the word intelligent with the term pop punk unless you're contrasting, but Roses are Red thoughtfully fuse the two opposites together. Deep, thoughtful lyrics about heartbreak and how relationships suck got my attention and kept my ADD from taking over by providing layered guitars, catchy hooks and as much energy as the equivalent of 30 Richard "I'm a pony!" Simmons on Prozac. These dudes are comparable to Taking Back Sunday, and I can even venture to say that this album is better than that crap that TBS put out this year. Anyways, Trustkill seems to be broadening their horizons so expand on the next "what's cool" in pop punk and spend your cheddar on these young gentlemen.

A powerful melody hits you square in the jaw as soon as this kicks in and a melodic slap in the face Is the most pleasant you can receive- as everyone must be awake. Why subject yourself to a pummeling beat-down on your cheeks when you can get whacked by a barrage of colour? Roses Are Red are self-confessed kerb-crawlers of the rock stratosphere- claiming to have a finger in every single pie of the genre and indeed its many, many sub genres. Having shared the stage with everyone from Hey Mercedes to Norma Jean, you can imagine they're pretty diverse. This, however, just means that one moment they croon and the next moment you turn your CD player off as you'll be certain your granny can rock harder.

Roses Are Red's Trustkill Records debut, Conversations, comes plastered with a badge that proudly proclaims "ROCK IS BACK." As embarrassingly hyperbolic as that might seem, the music produced by these five boys from western New York sets out to prove exactly that. While carefully dampened chords, gruff harmonies and impassioned vocals make it easy to slip this square peg into the screamo hole, the distorted guitar glissando that opens the album is the bold declaration of musicians aspiring to be rock gods, not another troubled Teen People cover story. In fact, the young quintet has already amassed considerably indie cred with its heartbroken, literate lyrics and uncompromising live performances. Name-checking Bon Jovi, Iron Maiden and Def Leppard while following in the footsteps of emo icons such as Samiam and Hey Mercedes, Roses Are Red just might have you believing that rock really is back.

As much as this band really isn't my style, I have to give them credit. Roses Are Red play emo, even if that word has become nebulous over the past few years. The selling point on the record is that each song has it's own distinct melody and they don't rely on one big breakdown or catchy part to make the rest worth listening to. The lyrics are actually rather easily understood and delivered without screaming. The parts of the record that do have screaming seem a little forced and it would have been better if they had been left out completely. Those kids sure do love their screaming, though. This album came as a big suprise to me. During a time when many of the bands I really like are putting out crap, bands I didn't think I would like are making music I actually enjoy. Many of my tough friends would tease the hell out of me for saying this, but i enjoyed the record and I'll probably listen to it again. It's like Story of the Year, but for grown ups.

Man, I should have known it. With an artsy picture of some cute gal on their otherwise simplistic cover, I thought I'd be into some sort of pop rock drivel with this one. Yeah, I was right. Roses Are Red could easily keep the pop punk kids amused at the same time as making the alt rock kids bee bopping, or pogoing, or having a seizure, or whatever those nerds do at shows these days. Conversations is far too soothing and full of harmonies for this listener. If you like the whole safe emo/pop punk scene, this stuff will probably make you poop your pants.

Roses Are Red play huge, hard rockin' emocore that vocally dances between piercing screams and passionate singing. The production quality on this album is top notch and the band plays precisely, powerfully. The 10-track release is thick with (an almost poppy) melody throughout, despite its hardcore influences. But that's not selling it short; this is an excellent record that is accessible for mainstream audiences to latch on. MTV2 appearances might not be too far off.

I'm sure most people expect only breakdowns and hard vocals from Trustkill, bu Roses are Red definately throw a hammer into the gears of what you'd normally expect from the label. Roses are Red are more along the lines of what you'd expect from Drive-Thru Records. With extremely catchy songwriting, clean vocals and an enrergetic performance, it won't take many songs before this band wins you over. Saying this band is melodic is a definate understatment. The guitar playing is pretty straight forward, but while there is always rythym guitar pounding out the power chords, there is usually always another guitar line over top playing a melodic counterpart to the more staright forward rythym guitar. It's a little touch that adds alot more depth to the bands sound. If it was just the rythym guitar it would sound pretty empty I think. Not that I really need to tell you, but this isn't really a speedy affair either. It's along the lines of what you would expect from indie rock, with a few songs being a bit faster more along the lines of pop punk. But this is most easily described as a rock band. They do not pose to be called a punk band, this is simplay a high quality rock record. The band manages to effectively implement a dual vocal style that has become a bit common these days. The difference here is that the main style is the clean vocals. The screaming is mainly reserved for back up vocals, but they do take center stage from time to time during some of the heavier moments. This is not a heavy record, but a few riffs may take you by surprise. Especially the almost metalcore breakdown found in the closing track. It completely took me by surprise the first time I heard it and it is the albums little quirks that make it so memorable. In a time so cluttered with bands similar in style it might be a bit hard for Roses are Red to stand out. Why you ask? Well, because people like music that is easily digestible and while this band is catchy, they are not playing by the exact rules that would catapult a band into mainstream success. It could happen over time, but I think this album will get their foot in the door. It is too good for people not to take notice.

When I think of Trustkill Records, the first thing I think of his breakdowns, flying fists and lots of screaming. Apparently the folks at Trustkill Headquarters don't feel the same way, because they have really been branching off in a lot of different directions lately. It started with Open Hand two years ago and continues today with Rochester, New York's Roses Are Red. Now I am going to be perfectly honest here. I had this CD sitting around for about a month before I ever gave it the time of day. As a matter of fact, did something I never do and bought into the hype and the image and completely wrote them off. As Ben Affleck said in the Jay and Silent Bob movie, the internet was build to slander people anonymously, and well, I bought into the hype. I should probably apologize right now for that. Anyway, Roses Are Red played this years Skatefest in Worcester and I happened to catch their set, and what I saw literally blew my fucking mind. So much power, so much energy, so much passion. So I went home that night and put in their Trustkill debut "Conversations" and I was instantly hooked. The first thing that really jumps out at me about Roses Are Red is how easy vocalist Vincent Minervino is to listen to. His voice sounds like what Bert McCracken from The Used might sound like if he stopped whining and actually sang. He really takes over the songs with his soothing tones and sometimes throws in a little screaming to drive home the emotion of the song. I love the harmonies that are built by the production on the backing vocals, how they kind of drift in the background. The songs are very well written and well constructed. Make no mistake about it, these are definitely songs of love and heartbreak, but it doesn't have that tiring vibe that a lot of similar bands present in their whiny drivel. There is a lot of meaning there, the songs are very intelligent, they're drenched in imagery and eloquence. There is actual substance that you can feel, and that really adds to the power of these songs. There's nothing wrong with a well written love song, or being emotional in your heartbreak. Minervino and Roses Are Red show how to do it right. The music on "Conversations" takes on a punkish meets straight forward rock n roll vibe to it. There's a lot of energy in the guitar-work from guitarists Brian and Matt Gordner. It has a real drive to it and a lot of power, almost like it was built for arenas, ready to rock. Drummer Michael Lasaponara really takes over at times, providing crystal clear beats that add to the arena rock feel. The production is almost flawless and really helps Roses Are Red in their sound. This whole experience has taught me a very valuable lesson and really opened my mind. I have seen people who have expressed frustration that Trustkill is "going soft," but when you find a band this good, I guess you kind of have no choice but to work their album. I can't think of a better situation for both parties involved, because Roses Are Red will definitely benefit from the Trustkill name, and Trustkill will definitely benefit from the amazing music that Roses Are Red makes. "Conversations" is an absolute masterpiece, and the type of album that you will listen to until the CD wears out and you have to buy it again. Fans of bands like The Used, Bon Jovi and Taking Back Sunday will dig "Conversations," which is in stores now.

Hair Metal was all about boys who looked like girls compensating for feelings of dire homoerotic lust by boasting about their omnivorous sexual appetites. Emo, on the other hand, is all about boys who look like girls who are too busy whining about sexual dysfunction and their own flaccid wee-wees to compensate for feelings of dire homoerotic lust by feigning interest in the other sex. Certainly, the material concerns of both genres run directly parallel to each other: should I try to get laid or should I eat this sandwich? But somewhere during the twenty-year interval between Bon Jovi and Roses Are Red, hard rock had a crisis of conscience, landed directly on the therapist's couch, swallowed a fistful of Paxil and turned into a public act of gross contrition. Bon Jovi wouldn't blame Roses Are Red for this sea change, and Roses Are Red certainly don't blame Bon Jovi: Conversations is slippery and wet and these guys ride the steel horse like it's 1987. All that distinguishes "White and Gold" from a cover of Europe's "The Final Countdown" is the oddly-syncopated hi-hat crash and a little bit of junior-sized Cookie Monster gargling. That' s not a bad thing, either: the sun never sets on nostalgia and there's something awfully satisfying about anthemic pop-punk with crystalline production and no-nonsense arrangements. And "I Apologize" is genre perfection-three-and-a-half minutes of irrefutable proof that emo works as well in a stadium-sized setting as in front of a bedroom mirror. Barring the inevitable nervous breakdown, it's a steady diet of sex and sandwiches from here on out.

Roses Are Red definitely fit the cliche of being a rock/emo/emocore band with 5 members hailing from New York. That roster and locale of the band seem to be just about the standard these days. This also means they have to work a lot harder to get noticed. RAR do not seem to have had any problem getting recognition. In fact their new release "Conversations" seems to be a big deal, just go to the Trustkill site (www.trustkill.com) and see what I am talking about. Trustkill is definitely proud to have this band on their roster and the band seems to be proud of their music. If not then they are retarded, and good at it too. The singer wields a voice that is uncommon for this type of music. It is more of a deep and rough voice, the type you would find in one of those trendy new rock bands, but for some reason he has gone with the route of RAR and it really helps give the band a distinct sound. Lyrically the band has some typical song topics, which is basically to be expected by any band at all in this day and age. The band has managed to craftily word the lyrics to make them non-generic and even intelligent. The new album sounds like the band just had house cleaning come in and straighten out the music and to change their sound since the previous release "Hand Shakes and Heartbreaks". The recording sounds so much better, the guitars, drums, vocals � it all just seems so cleaned up. Honestly, I thought the previous album was not very good. They sounded different yet the same, but the different was not a good different or a unique different it was bad, so the change has done them quite a favor if you ask me. "You and Me Both" starts off with some catchy guitars and basic percussion rhythm that really lures you into the song. The song also has some nice vocals all throughout the song. The title track which also happens to be the final track ends with some nice guitar solos followed by some good sounding breakdowns. Not heavy and typical sounding of so many hardcore bands. It is just a bit softer flavored breakdown with the complimenting guitar solo whining in the background. It is a very nice way to end the album kind of like the perfect ending of a book that you can put the book down and be satisfied with how it all turned out. Roses Are Red Are well formed and have a solid sound that stands apart from all the other New York hopefuls. The strong point of the band would have to be the singer but every band member is an integral part of RAR. Don't listen to this album over and over and over and over and over like I just did, 10 times consecutively. Everything is good in moderation. Anything gets old by overexposure. Don't over do it. Listen to the band just don't listen to it all the time. The songs can start to all sound the same but they are all good. There wasn't a track I ever felt like I needed to skip any of the tracks. The conversation that may or may not sound the monotonous to you but it is one worth engaging yourself in.

Roses Are Red's "Conversations" is an album I really enjoy. Having an energetic melodic hardcore sound with dark and poppy melodies, Roses Are Read really know how to grab your attention. The lyrics are simple and easy to follow to. The vocals are catchy, adding in a bit of screaming into the mix. The music is filled with melodic-aggesive guitars, strong bass lines all backed by solid drumming. Some of the heavy tracks on the album would be "I Felt I Knew Her", "I Apoligize", "Conversations" and the lighter tracks would be "White And Gold", "Oceans" and the instrumental track "12:34". Overall "Conversations" is a great album that fans of hardcore and pop-punk will love.

I dig comics and I always have, especially the little American ones with homoerotic costumed bufoons kicking the shit out of each other in a circus of improbable ways. There's no shame in a bit of harmless escapism. 'What If The Kingpin Owned Daredevil?' One of Marvel's late-great 'What If?' series was particularly kaliedoscopic in that respect as they flung the heroes we knew and loved into wild and tenuous counterfactuals that ranged from the irrelevant to the hugely entertaining. 'Conversations' imagines a world where Nostalgiaman, the mild mannered Kris Roe never becomes the leader of weepy superteam The*Ataris and instead the helm of his catchy, yet insipid team of crimefighters falls upon the resolute and hardened Captain Eyeliner Alex Varkatzas. Following me? I didn't think so. What it is I'm trying to say in this roundabout way of shaky analogies and libellous personal attacks is that 'Roses Are Red' sound like a hardcore Ataris; they maintain the infectious feel-good spunk of the former Kung Fu tear-merchants and add lashings of passion, sincerity, frenzy and thunder. Unashamedly 'emo' in both it's aesthetics and subject matter, it nevertheless gets the big Trustkill stamp of quality meaning at it's very worst 'Conversations' is listenable. Fortunately for us it's so much more then that, from the thunderous opening of 'White And Gold' to the soaring melody of 'Time Signals Process' that culminates in screams so throat-rending that you can feel your neck twinge in sympathy. Maybe I'm slowing down in my old age, or maybe I just need something a little more relaxing after I crawl up the stairs after six agonising hours of brutally degrading wage-slavery but 'Conversations' proved itself good honest fun. Fears of Trustkill going down the Victory-road aside, 'What If...Trustkill Made Emo?' would definately be shortlisted for an Eisner Award.