Customer Reviews

Grand

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of those rare discs that grows on me the more I listen to it. It's catchy and upbeat, so it works as pure ear candy in the background when I have guests. But it also works in a more intimate setting, in headphones while walking or working out, because there's quite a bit going on in the lyrics too.

Erin McKeown has a fascinating voice. It's kind of tangy, like Dido or Rachael Yamagata, and she brings subtly different vocal characterizations to the different songs. She's not just singing, she's acting, which is appropriate, because one of Grand's themes is the golden age of film. Judy Garland is referenced in two songs, "cinematic" and "vera," and used to perform a third, "lucky day." "cosmopolitans" and "a better wife" debunk hollywood fictions of the ideal life, but the jazzy vocals and music lends a layer of spunky irony. "Cosmopolitans" warns me that "loneliness is expected if not predicted," and although I get the message, I can't help immediately singing along with the insanely catchy, sedative-seeking chorus that follows: "painless! don't you wish you were weightless! famous!"

This is the first Erin McKeown album I purchased (I bought it after hearing "a better wife," which is unlike any other song i've heard recently). I've never seen her perform. Some McKeown fans say this album is too mainstream; compared to her previous work it may be more radio-friendly. (I do find the chorus of "James" reminiscent of Jem's "24!") But in my opinion, this album is far from mainstream. It's catchy, but it's also quirky. The music is retro-influenced. The lyrics are clever. There is only one song I don't like on this album ("vera", kind of drab). And there is only one thing I don't love about this album: it's too well-crafted to be confessional. McKeown uses the term "lady" incessantly on this album. She's very aware of appearances, especially when she's mocking them; and I feel like the emotions here are filtered, so this isn't a good album for cathartic moods (unless you want to be cheered up despite yourself)! But overall I love "Grand". It's fun, it's intelligent, it's my favorite album right now, and I will definitely buy McKeown's next as soon as it comes out.

There's a tag in small type at the top of the cover of Erin McKeown's great new "Grand" CD--clearly one of the best efforts of the year--that reads "panoramic and spectacular!" That's not hype. This collection is all of that.

Erin's vibrato-free expressive alto is capable of a variety of things, as she amply demonstrates here. There's not a false move anywhere. The highlights are the jazzy "Slung-lo," the trippy "Cosmolitans" (can this be labeled "jazz hop"? do we have to label it at all?), the noisy "Cinematic" and the dramatic "An Innocent Fiction." There's one cover--of the pop standard "Lucky Day"--which Erin slows down and does in a "high lonesome" style. It's meant as a tribute to Judy Garland, of whom Erin is clearly a fan.

The whole CD, with its mix of styles old and new, is like a postmodern building with an Art Deco lobby. That conception probably wouldn't work well. "Grand," however, does.

Wow! Having listened to Miss McKeown since she was 19 or so (go find a copy of her demo tape--even that's fantastic!) it floors me how she has evolved and honed her musical talents, through her three full-length albums and the Voices on the Verge project. Straight up, Grand is a tour de force. It is a standard, and will change the face of folk/rock music in as subtle and charming a way as only The Lady could do. I rarely put CDs on repeat, and Grand didn't leave my cd player for almost a week! Each song is such a stand-alone that the entire album comes across as a compilation of genres, tempos and even eras, rather than a single project by a single artist. Be it the swing style of "Taste of You", the rockin' beats of "Cinematic" or the classic Garland tune (with a slower tempo than the standard) of "Lucky Day" McKeown has a keen idea of what she can do and, more importantly, what she will do. Barely over 5' tall and just 25, McKeown shoulders more instruments, more genres and more musical understanding than just about anyone else out there, be they of similar age or not! How does so much talent fit into such a little person?
I am thrilled to be able to be an auditory spectator to the musical montage that is McKeown. If you are muddling over purchasing this album, think no more. Go get it. It will be, hands down, the best [$$] you will spend this year.

In Grand, Mckeown blends 60s-era pop and folk with results that are charming and addictive. The quirky songs songs cover everything from the straightforward (bad relationships and career doubts) to the fantastical (a command dance performance), all in a bouncy, cheery beat. A blogger I read said that Mckeown is "playing the soundtrack to my life." I couldn't agree more.

I had not heard of Erin McKeown until this past December when she did an interview and played some songs live on my favorite radio station, WNCW, (wncw.org). She came across as genuine, funny, articulate and concerned about her musical integrity. I ended up downloading/purchasing 'Grand' from iTunes and loved it! In fact, so much so, that I'm now buying the CD from Amazon so I can get the full fidelity of the music.

This is one of those albums that just grabs you. It's been number 1 in my rotation since December. It's trippy, fun, full of life and highly recommended.

erin is on tour promoting her brand new cd, which is exactly where i picked up my copy of grand after her show at Joe's Pub last night. her music is just that- grand- and her choice of adjectives is consistent with her 1930s/Judy Garland-era stylings. Erin has the voice to match her music and her strongest material are the songs that resemble old-time standards. indeed, she gives credit to garland repeatedly throughout the cd and also on stage.

the songs have a range from catchy (in an appealing way) singles i've been hearing on the radio for weeks thanks to wfuv (wfuv.org) in new york like "Slung-lo", to more rockin' numbers like "cinematic", actual standards like "lucky day" or her intelligent takes on old themes as in "the taste of you". my only complaint is that it doesn't compare to seeing her live.

Perfect pop music! It combines a mixed bag of styles that become one -- Erin's.

And I thought 2003 was not going to reveal anything worth listening to. "Grand" has proven me wrong. This is the most listenable CD I have bought by a new artist in a very long time.

Too bad she is still such an industry secret.

Go for it!

Erin is a true musical chameleon. She punks out, rocks on, bebops, lounges, banjo pick's, and trip hops her way through this musical wonderland of a cd. Grand captures every type of music that's worth listening to, all wrapped in the warm blanket that is Erin Mckeown's voice. This is an absolute must buy for anyone who has an appreciation for sound musicianship and quality song writing. A perfect introduction for new fans and a stellar follow up for dedicated fans. Buy this cd, it is absolutely addictive. Defnitely the soundtrack to the summer.

I had the great fortune of hearing many of these songs live before the record was released. Listening to Erin McKeown with this material--so fresh--I couldn't help but think she was about to shoot out of the "comfortable" Boston folk scene and into a genre-bending world of her own. Grand is definitely a big leap by a big (and still young) talent. Buy this album, enjoy it, and then be sure to get out and see The Lady live--you'll be glad you did. For me, the best part about getting to know Erin McKeown lies in knowing that, at 25, she undoubtedly has much much more great music to bring.

This is, quite seriously, one of the best albums I've ever heard. I've been a fan of Erin for a few years now, and she always puts on an amazing live performance. This CD, however, totally blew my mind. Incredibly easy to listen to straight through, this truly is the "summer album" she hoped to put together. "Slung-lo" grips you as soon as you pop the disc in and songs like "James!" and "Better Wife" highlight her lyrical talent. A must-have for any collection, no matter what your taste.