Now that's the stuff. Second EP for Rusted Dawn, and this time the sub-par sound found on Toxic Shock is done away with. The clearer, fatter and heavier sound almost makes this sound like a different band. A little muffled here and there, but with enough rawness to compensate and give the music a little boost in attitude. The basics found in Toxic Shock are still present here, somewhat crossover-ish Bay Area sound, but this time the vocals are even closer to the crossover style - without overdoing it - and the songs are faster with some heavier, more present guitars that make the music sound more "alive" than on the previous release. There's a bit of a Motörhead-ish rock 'n' roll vibe in some songs that gives this an added "catchiness" value, but overall this is very much the same style as on Toxic Shock - the closing track "Waking Streets" has even been recycled, but it does sound better here - and I mean much better. This is the best way to appreciate the difference in sound between the two releases, and it's practically like night and day. Red Collar showcases a band that's gotten tighter and more mature, without sacrificing the essential raw and garage-like aspects of the band's sound. If you're only going to get one of the two EPs, this is the one that presents Rusted Dawn it its best light. For now.
