Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

D.J. Ramsay

D.J. Ramsay
The RLE Years

Artist Info: Discography
Street Date: December 18, 2017
Style: Rock / Alternative
Official Site: Official Website
Buy It: iTunes
Buy It: AmazonMP3



The RLE Years is the musical product of long time singer/songwriter/musician, Darren Ramsay. As a fan of super heroes and comic books, Ramsay says the album's previous moniker (during its 2018 release), Ramsayman, is the superhero moniker he would use if he ever were a superhero -- drawing inference from Larry Boy, who used his own namesake in his superhero persona's name. Even the EP cover shows Darren's love of comics with his homage to Action Comics #1. (In 2020, Ramsay rebranded the album - and himself - under the name D.J. Ramsay.) Ramsay has been in several, and varied, musical ventures over the years. His project The RLE Years contains six songs from his late 90s band, Red Letter Edition (aka: For Deaf Ears, aka: Soap Box Incorporated). While The RLE Years is a lower budget project (even using some of the original tracks in places), it's still adequately mastered and fairly easy to listen to in its production. The EP definitely sounds like an alternative/hard rock album from the late 90s, but that's far from a bad thing if you're a music fan like me. The sounds are reminiscent of bands like Fuel who walked the line between alt/rock and hard rock -- and the melodies are quite good! "Jesus Doll" and "Yellow" bring a much heavier rock tone to the album, "When it Rains" and "Just Remember" has more of an alternative Dishwalla type feel, "You and Your Mandolin" is the quintessential ballad, and "Circle Round" is punk inspired rock and roll in the vein of Unwritten Law, or perhaps even Eve 6. While the music on the EP certainly brings to mind a sense of nostalgia, nothing can prepare you (90s kids) for the nostalgia to be found on the bonus track. Those who watched Ren & Stimpy will undoubtedly recognize the song from the in-show commercial for "Log." D.J. Ramsay gives a barbershop quartet type of treatment to the song, which turns out to be a completely unexpected, but super fun, blast from the past. While the production isn't always top-notch, and some of the tracks sound a little muddy, D.J. Ramsay's The RLE Years is a really fun listen from front to back. The favorites are easily "Jesus Doll," "Yellow," and "Circle Around." Fans of 90s rock should definitely give Darren Ramsay's project a spin. I know I certainly found myself enjoying the listen.

- Review date: 4/12/18, written by Michael Weaver of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



This Wednesday, October 8, 2025
SINGLES
Amy Jay Back to What's Natural - Single (independent)

This Friday, October 10, 2025
ALBUMS
Citizens m us eum [Anotherland Records]
Jesus Culture Send The Fire: Live From London [Capitol CMG]
Tasha Layton Life in Me [BEC]
Myles Maestro Dead End Road - EP [Syntax]
Make Sure Starry May Morning (independent)
SNT. VINCENT Final Greetings [Syntax]
Razzie Digital Psalms - EP [Syntax]
Josh Wright LEAD (Deluxe) (independent)

SINGLES
Holly Brand One Thing He Wouldn't Do - Single [Integrity]
Chosen Road Daddy Was a Navy Man - Single [Thoroughbred]
Drakeford Writing on the Wall - Single (independent)
EJ Swavv & Jeff Knox Deja Vu - Single [Syntax]
Kelo Memory Lane - Single [Syntax]
MAYIA Pass Me Not - Single [Syntax]
Kevi Morse Like You - Single [Syntax]
Jeannie Ortega Decipher - Single [Syntax]
Run51 Song Of My Soul - Single [DREAM]
Zane Vickery Name (Live at Greenbriar) - Single (independent)
Vineyard Worship & Dreaming The Impossible Praise You For Eternity - Single [Vineyard]

Next Friday, October 17, 2025
ALBUMS
ANTHNY DIARY ENTRY 1 [Provident]
Blanca Full Bloom [Curb]
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas [Gaither]
Geoff Moore and The Distance Foundations (Re-Release) [Girder]
Geoff Moore and The Distance A Place To Stand (Re-Release) [Girder]
Nate Parrish Make Me A Mountain (independent)
Psallos The New and Better Way: Hymns of Hebrews (independent)
Anne Wilson Stars [Capitol CMG]

SINGLES
Zane Vickery All Things New - Single (independent)

DVD
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas DVD [Gaither]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images