Start with a Strong and Persistent Desire
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Start with a Strong and Persistent Desire
| type = studio
| artist = Vex Red
| cover = Start_with_a_Strong_and_Persistent_Desire.jpg
| alt =
| released = 4 March 2002 [https://www.discogs.com/Vex-Red-Start-With-A-Strong-And-Persistent-Desire/master/328740 "Album Information"], Discogs, Retrieved on 10 September 2018.
| recorded = 2000–2001
| studio = SW1 Studios (Cornwall)
Standard Electrical Recorder (Venice, CA)
| genre = Alternative rock
| length = {{duration|m=50|s=54}} [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Start-Strong-Persistent-Desire-Vex/dp/B00005UP03 "Album Information 2"], Amazon, Retrieved on 10 September 2018.
| label = I Am
| producer = Ross Robinson{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/vex-red-mn0000805415/biography |title=Vex Red Biography |website=AllMusic |accessdate=10 September 2018}}
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Start with a Strong and Persistent Desire
| type = studio
| single1 = Itch
| single1date = 2001
| single2 = Can't Smile
| single2date = 18 February 2002
}}
}}
Start with a Strong and Persistent Desire is the debut album by English alternative rock band Vex Red. It was released on 4 March 2002 through I Am records. The album charted at number 48 on the UK Albums Chart and also spent two weeks on the chart. Two singles were released from the album. "Itch" was released in 2001, followed by "Can't Smile" in 2002 which reached number 45 in the UK Singles Chart.{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/11318/vex-red/ |title=Vex Red Chart History |website=Official Charts |accessdate=10 September 2018}}
The album was produced by nu metal producer Ross Robinson, who also signed the band to his Virgin Records imprint "I Am" in the early 2000s {{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/vex-red-mn0000805415/biography |title=Vex Red Biography |website=AllMusic |accessdate=11 September 2018}}
Critical reception
{{Album ratings
| ADM =
| MC =
| aggregate1 = Album of the Year
| aggregate1score = 68/100{{cite web |url=https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/47648-vex-red-start-with-a-strong-and-persistent-desire.php |title=Vex Red Album of the Year Aggregate |website=Album of the Year |accessdate=11 September 2018}}
| rev1 = All Music {{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/start-with-a-strong-and-persistent-desire-mw0000222107|title=Start With a Strong and Persistent Desire Album Review |website=All Music |accessdate=11 September 2018}}
| rev1Score = {{rating|2.5|5}}
| rev3 = The Guardian {{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2002/feb/08/shopping.artsfeatures2 |title=Vex Red Guardian Album Review |website=The Guardian |date=8 February 2002 |accessdate=11 September 2018 |last1=Sullivan |first1=Caroline |last2=Denselow |first2=Robin |last3=Aizlewood |first3=John |last4=Costa |first4=Maddy |last5=Sullivan |first5=Reviews by Caroline |last6=Tope |first6=Frank }}
| rev3Score = {{Rating|3|5}}
| rev4 = NME {{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/reviews-nme-6160 |title=Vex Red NME Album Review |website=Album of the Year |accessdate=11 September 2018}}
| rev4Score = {{Rating|7|10}}
| rev1score =
| rev2 = Drowned in Sound {{cite web |url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/2844/reviews/3189- |title=Vex Red Drowned in Sound Album Review |website=Drowned in Sound |date=21 February 2002 |accessdate=11 September 2018}}
| rev2Score = {{Rating|9.2|10}}
| rev5 = Ultimate Guitar {{cite web |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/compact_discs/vex_red/start_with_a_strong_and_persistent_desire/ |title=Vex Red Ultimate Guitar Album Review |website=Ultimate Guitar |accessdate=11 September 2018}}
| rev5Score = {{Rating|9|10}}
}}
Critical reception to the album was positive upon release. Drowned in Sound scored the album highly, reviewer Sajini Wijetilleka had particular praise for "Can't Smile", speaking of the track; "Sequenced-synth loops, emotional vocals and energised guitar swirls give us the excellent ‘Can’t Smile’, the best record that Gavin Rossdale wanted to, but could never ever make.". NME reviewer April Long gave the album positive write up stating; "The title says it all. Underpinning every spastic roar and raging riff on
Vex Red‘s debut is the burning desire to make something enormous, resonant and real.". The Guardian gave the album 3/5 stars summarizing about the bands potential; " Vex Red take it a step further and become their own men. They might just evolve into greatness.".
Track listing
{{Track listing
| all_writing = Vex Red
| total_length = 50:54
| title1 = The Closest
| length1 = 4:48
| title2 = Dermo
| length2 = 3:33
| title3 = Can't Smile
| length3 = 4:49
| title4 = Untitled
| length4 = 5:18
| title5 = Itch
| length5 = 3:47
| title6 = Bully Me
| length6 = 4:53
| title7 = Cause and Solution
| length7 = 4:27
| title8 = Start with a Strong and Persistent Desire
| length8 = 3:52
| title9 = Clone Jesus
| length9 = 4:36
| title10 = Sleep does Nothing for you
| length10 = 3:55
| title11 = Vert
| length11 = 6:56
}}
Personnel
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
Vex Red
- Terry Abbot – lead vocals, guitar
- Ant Forbes – guitar, keyboards
- Nick Goulding – bass guitar, guitar
- Keith Lambert - bass guitar, programming
{{col-2}}
Session musician
- Ash Soan – drums, percussion
{{col-2}}
Production personnel
- Ross Robinson – Producer
{{col-end}}
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2002)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{album chart|Scotland|61|date=20020316|rowheader=true|accessdate=10 September 2018}} |
| {{album chart|UK2|48|date=20020316|rowheader=true|accessdate=10 September 2018}} |
| {{album chart|UKRock|3|date=20020316|rowheader=true|accessdate=10 September 2018}} |
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col"| Region
! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| Cat # ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| UK
| rowspan="3"| 4 March 2002 | rowspan="2"| CD | rowspan="3"| I Am | CDVUS 215, 7243 8 11798 2 6 |
| scope="row"| Japan
| VJCP-68421, 7243 8 11798 2 6 |
| scope="row"| Europe
| rowspan="1"| LP | 7243 8 11789 1 |