The Philadelphia band’s first release in eight years finds sandpaper-piped singer-guitarist and songwriter Ryan Wells and co. more than making up for lost time. Familiar without feeling derivative, nostalgic without sounding dated, sincere without turning maudlin, Things You Hold True is an earthy, earnest and energetic creation that hits the sweet spot between Americana, alt-country and Heartland roots-rock. If you need a soundtrack for your next road trip, look no further. Just crank this up on repeat, roll down the windows and head for the horizon. - Tinnitist
Red Means Run return with their first release since 2016, offering a revivalist set of roots Americana…The heavy guitars harken back to the heyday of 90s Americana bands like Uncle Tupelo and Whiskeytown, when many now-seasoned Americana followers first fell in love with the genre….In fact, it carries a comforting assurance, with its familiarities, like the weathered, worn feeling of slipping on an old jacket. Its influences practically sewed on its sleeve…If its heart is Americana, it never loses a vision of delivering something bigger and more wide-eyed. - Americana UK
Cash, Petty and Westerberg sure are names that might come to mind here, as Red Means Run pen a truly timeless version of modern roots that's all substance and no filler. - Take Effect Reviews
"Things You Hold True" is a testament to the band's evolution, blending melodic hooks with poignant lyricism. The album delves into enduring beliefs, relationships, and the universal ties that bind us all. Drawing inspiration from icons like Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, The Replacements, and Son Volt, Red Means Run delivers a timeless sound that resonates with audiences across generations. - Grateful Web
On the new, full length album, "Things You Hold True" (2024), Wells expands beyond his alt-country roots and fully embraces the rock n' roll side of the band’s persona. With melodic hooks and poignant lyrics, the new songs explore enduring beliefs, relationships and the ties that bind us all. Produced by Derek Chafin (BarnSound and a|i|r records) and featuring an array of veterans of the Philly music scene, "Things You Hold True" is a mix of old school heart and big, open chords. It draws a straight line from Johnny Cash to Tom Petty to The Replacements to Son Volt and beyond. - 215 Music
‘Between The Lines’ rattles along like a cross between an old railway train and a barn dance, it’s influence from early Uncle Tupelo screaming through every bar. Changing the mood for inebriated heartbreak, the almost waltzing ‘Whiskey & Roses’ is a well-crafted “crying in your beer” epic…reminiscent of Son Volt and the earliest Wilco outpourings. As if to counterbalance the more country elements, ‘No Need To Look Back’ picks up the pace and pays homage to the most country parts of the first two Gin Blossoms records in a style that might also befit Denny Smith and The Great Affairs. Taking a sidestep from their more country roots, the title cut opens with a ripping bluesy guitar run that makes things seem as if Red Means Run are about to indulge in a bit of the ol’ Texas blues, Stevie Ray style – but quickly enough the tune drops into a slow two-step that allows the country influences to leak through. At various points, it seems as if Red Means Run have genuinely peaked, but with more to give, the EP’s best track is saved for last… ‘Headlights’ is a guitar heavy, swaying and rolling retro beast that contains an obvious influence from Uncle Tupelo’s ‘Whiskey Bottle’. - Real Gone on Love of Blindness (2016)
Tapping into something that straddles fine line between rocky and retro, listeners may hear hints of ‘Ghost Is Born’ era Wilco nestling with the kind of rhythmic structures and melodies that filled the major label Soul Asylum discs, but in truth, these guys sound so much more like The Great Affairs than anything. While the rockier tracks are fun, it’s when turning to something slightly more country when Red Means Run start to reach their fuller potential. These four songs – although possessing a few rough edges that time and money could improve, though perhaps the band would prefer to leave as is – are enjoyable, good time affairs. - Real Gone on All Things Said and Done (2014)