I tried to be patient, I tried to be open-minded, I tried to like them since Red Chord is from Boston and so am I. Maybe I’m bitter because I was teased with some gripping instrumental work and was betrayed by the horrendous lyrics which were sang like that girl from Four Non-Blondes a few years back. So Red Chord isn’t all bad-maybe they should just ditch the vocalist. The only problem is that she started the band.

Red Chord’s debut album, “Wicked…Live@The Abbey,” was recorded a little under two years ago at the Abbey Lounge in Somerville, MA. Usually with a live album, the listener is supposed to get the effect that there is an audience present. I heard three claps and a “woooo.” The lack of audience participation is the least of Red Chord’s problems though. The sextet is composed of a keyboardist, bassist, saxophonist, guitarist, and vocalists. Emily Grogan stands out as an impressive jazz saxophonist. Her smooth and sexy playing was one of the few sounds that kept me going through this nine track CD.

The major problem is the compelling instrumental work is drowned out by struggling lyrics and an even more struggling vocalist. At times, there are glimmers of hope for front woman Andrea Gillis. She can wail like PJ Harvey or Etta James, unfortunately she just can’t quite hit the notes every time, leaving us listeners cringing song after song. The other problem running alongside the abrasive sound is the lyrics. Few of these songs have the stamina to last the three or four minutes that they do. “Taxi” is one song that will perhaps save the band on any night they perform. Also featured on the Dawson’s Creek soundtrack, “Taxi” has some passionate lyric potential with such lines as “I love you baby but I won’t be hanging around.” This is one of the only times that Gillis’ vocal ability is at a tolerable level. She isn’t straining and doesn’t appear to be forcing emotions like some of the other tracks. The song is heart-wrenching and like the other songs on the album, the instrumental parts transcend most six member bands. Keyboardist Andrea Gaudette is predominant in this track playing a gentle melody of high octaves.

Red Chord isn’t a total failure, even though the album could be. The band formed in 1999 and they do have an arranged sound considering how little time they’ve been together. They just seem stronger as an instrumental group. The tracks with a blues sound are the strongest with the sultry sax and lounge-like keyboard playing. You sink into a bluesy mood when you are accosted with jagged vocals and this is what kills the album. The band does have potential but you will likely only find them in smoky lounges because their unpolished lyrics are too brutal for mainstream ears.