Customer Reviews

The One That Brought You

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

 

 

I can't stop listening to this album. I listen to it on the way to work and by the time track nine, "Bottle Glass", I have to walk slower so I can hear the end of that song before I walk into work. As a result, I've been late a lot lately. This is the G.C. album that fans of their live show have been waiting for. It's sloppy and loud in all the right places, and even though I know they worked hard, the record seems perfectly effortless. This is really grand.

Catchy and kick-butt is always a great combo, and Grand Champeen are awash in great hooks, big guitars and the right blend of sloppy and tight playing to make for a record that must be a close second to seeing them live. The reference points start up north -- the basic approach here is very comparable to The Replacements and Soul Asylum, before both bands cleaned up their act. Which means that there's a punk foundation, mixed in with some 8-track savvy, as traces of Cheap Trick, Alice Cooper, Aerosmith and even Lynyrd Skynyrd come through. But not in some self-conscious way -- when they kind of boogie-riff on "The Rest of the Night", it's not due to some ironic 21st Century take on boogie rock -- it feels good and they play it in a way that in doesn't sound cheesy. But it's not all dumb fun. There is some skilled songwriting here that allows for some really heartrending melodies amidst the fun and the fury. This talent comes through in spades on "Memory Loss" which flies like a runaway train in the verses, before using a cute countrified melody in the chorus that utterly contrasts the explosiveness. The chorus is the musical equivalent of the realization that the protagonist is coming to. The song even has a second, less frenzied movement. It takes you places. "Step Into My Heart" is flat out pretty, a terrific change of pace ballad which is enhanced by Channing Lewis's affecting lead vocal, which is absent the sore throated sound he sometimes achieves on the barn burners. They split the difference on "Paid Vacation", which sounds like a collaboration between Superchunk and the late, great Mega City Four -- i.e., it's awesome. They close on a great note. "Fakin' It" is smokin' melancholy, with one of those melodies that evokes just a little bit of sadness. It sounds great as the rhythm sections pounds away and the guitars snake, tangle and pierce. One of the best pure rock records of the year.

This album is great. I foubd it on their website which I cant post here but you can probably figure it out. hint: starts with G ends with N. I got it upon hearing their first album after seeing their kick ass live show at The Mercury lounge in NYC. It rocks start to finsh. The songs span a spectrum of influences but always stick to their middle america indie-fied roots. you hear 1980's punk, 1940's country, and 1970's rock all strewn together for a unique contemporary sound. buy it now. They are at CMJ in NYC this month go see them!!!

As opposed to most bands that fizzle out in the volume department, Grand Champeen just keeps getting louder. This is a superb disc for anyone who loved the 80's Twin Cities scene (Replacements, Soul Asylum, Magnolias, Husker Du, etc.) right down to the raw vintage feel to the production. A guitar lovers dream, with great harmonies and monster rhythms. Definitely one of the best discs of 2003, and of the decade so far. Too many great songs here to list individually, and no clunkers worth noting.

That's all need be said. Thanks.

great songs, great sound. Grand Champeen bring the spirit of the Replacements and Superchunk to these troubled rock times. "Fakin' It" is one of the best songs I've heard in a long time. "Bottle Glass" is pure pop bliss.

I discovered this band via bands like Slobberbone/Centromatic etc. Not that Grand C. sounds anything like them, they don't.
This is a really great piece of song writing. Everything else has already been said before. My only thing is, is it just me.... or is the recording/mix REALLY REALLY bad? (or maybe it's some kind of Lo-Fi Hi-Fi sort of hip thing that I missed.
The vocals which are great by the way.. are completly buried in most of the tunes. That doesn't slow this disc down one bit though. This is a ferocious disc worth picking up.