"While I haven't yet heard other releases by Hella, this is an epochal record by anyone's standards. Though the electronica-oriented compositions, while entertaining in their own right, will undoubtedly tie the record to its era in the years to come, the astonishing ambition and dexterity of the guitars/drums compositions will help the instrumental "math-rock" genre to be taken more seriously, not only as an entity separate from the post-rock milieu, but as a movement in the modern avant-garde. This review may or may not be an overstatement: you'll just have to hear the record."
The Devil isn't Red
Jon | Gig Harbor, Wa | 02/21/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Hella have finally brought about another good ol' guitar/drums album... Although they have three computer songs as well, they are all great. This proves that Hella are still indeed moving unabated. I believe they have now surpassed Lightning Bolt in "weirdness", if you'd like to compare them, which is hard to do. Except no subs is a prime example of using computer for good, not evil. Pretty feel good album if you ask me... which you didn't."
Hella...whatever
Jon | 06/26/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'm very fond of Hella. I would go so far as to say that they're one of the top two or three best live acts I've ever seen. Their rapid fire rhythms satisfy my deep down, and Spencer's guitar is a huge part of the rhythm section, even as his chords deliver pristine, shiny creativity on the down low as the band wows you with its UNPARALLELLED tightness. See live. Album good too."
Guitar and drums
Donald R. Irwin | silver spring, md United States | 04/29/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"i totally loved the devil isn't red by hella. my goodness meg and jack you'd better watch out. my friends seem to love a band from pittsburgh called don cab but the devil isn't red is so much cooler and totally out there. i just love the guitar and drum interaction by these two musicians. it sounds like two guitars bass and drums but now it's just two people. hella is going to be touring soon and i can't wait to see them play. i'll have to dig a little deeper into the closet to see though other records but devil isn't red totally is one of the best records i've heard this year."
Fine line between genius and madness
Donald R. Irwin | 01/26/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Characterized by complex beats and sounds, it's hard to believe that Sacramento-based Hella is made up of only two members. With their fourth album, The Devil Isn't Red, guitarist Spencer Seim produces the sounds of two erratic guitarists rolled into one playing off Zach Hill's pounding drums into an incredibly complex combination of indie noise rock. Hella proves there is a fine line between genius and insanity with the unpredictable track "Hello Great Architect of the Universe." Overall, the album is lighter sounding then their acclaimed first album Hold Your Horse Is as Hella continues to develop and define their unique sound. Tracks such as "Mother Could Be You" and the final track "Welcome to the Jungle Baby, You're Gonna Live!" help to decipher a method to Hella's madness. Their music combines the feeling of improvisation with the innovativeness of Primus, leaving much to look forward to in Hella's future. B-"