Customer Reviews

With the Spirit of a Traffic Jam

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Gruvis Malt has come a really long way since Sound Soldiers. On that, their first widely distributed album, you could hear all the different genres fighting for space; one track was jazz, one was funk, one was hip-hop, one was rock. Things have changed in the 2 years between albums, with the three song EP "Backout Smiling" hinting as what was in store. "With the Spirit of a Traffic Jam" is Gruvis Malt's true breakout record, and finally reveals exactly what the band is capable of. The amalgamation of styles has managed to gel itself into sound that is completely unique, and, unfortunately, inaccessible to most. "Traffic Jam" is many things; easy to listen to is not one of them. It is not a CD for casual listening, but was designed, in the band's words, to be "the ultimate headphones album." It takes a few listens for the sonic bombardment to settle into recognizable songs, and in many cases, "songs" are hard to discern. Rarely does Gruvis Malt use a standard verse, chorus pattern, and determining exactly WHAT the chorus is can be almost impossible. Case in point, "Agression then Silence" (divided into two tracks) which starts as an 11/8 percussion groove, building in intensity through the first set of lyrics into a climax which quickly softens into what can only be described as the first bridge, suitably tipped off which the lyric "a quiet moment, covered up with eyelids." From here, the song goes into a violin solo, of all things, which is joined by sax, cascading straight THROUGH a key change back into the dissonant earlier progression. At the end of the first track of the song, going into the second ("Then Silence"), we settle into a solid 4/4 funk groove with a legitimately JAZZY (not Steely Dan "jazzy") background line carried by sax and keyboard through a thorough lyrical assault, lambasting the record industry and musical community of Providence, among other things. A final surge leads us through what I suppose you might call the chorus several times to the end. "Aggression then Silence" is the band's opus, and stands as indicative of "With the Spirit of a Traffic Jam"; unexpected, innovative, and completely unlike anything else in the sense that these musicians actually have TALENT. Highly recommended listening for other musicians, jazz fans, and open-minded music listeners. Also, Gruvis Malt puts on an amazing live show that should be seen if at all possible.

PS - In response to a couple of the other reviews... rap metal?

Please do this band a favor and buy it from their website:

www.gruvismalt.com

The record label Lakeshore Records hasn't been paying the band for the purchases of this disc for over 2 years now.

These guys are really excellent musicians. This disc has a real "urban" feel to it. Kind of like the name. Not really an "adult" disc but then again not about highschool either.
It really hard to focus on these guys and say they belong somewhere. There are so many influences present that its amazing to see that it can be pulled off.

This album will take you somewhere definitely. Its old (2002) but is a forever classic. Timeless. Their genre fits most with established doctors and lawyers cheating on their wives.

www.gruvismalt.com

There is no cd here but their 2005 release is available from their website and it far exceeds any of their previous works.

www.gruvismalt.com

i just got it and its really good. the only reason i didnt give it five stars is because it has some songs that were on older cds (and i liked those versions better), and it rarely went into this rap metal thing, which i cant stand. but theyre unbelievable and original, everyone should check them out.

This is hands down the best album in my LARGE collection. Being a musician myself, I really appreciate this album for the talent, creativity, and passion it displays. It's called futurock for a reason. No other band has been able to integrate jazz, rock, funk and rap as successfully as these guys. Lyrically, it's smart, mature, funny, and FULL of metaphors. There's a lot of meaning behind what's going on. (At least I think so!) And musically, these guys are extremely talented. The guitar parts are never "in your face," yet they're such a huge part of the mixture. The drumming is incredible.
Though I'll admit that it's been hard to get people into this band. You really need to open up your ears. When you do, you'll be blown away.

Words don't do these guys justice. I mean, I wish I could truly express how incredible GM is, but it's beyond my power. They break all boundaries, and bring music to a whole new level.

This album in particular is just absolutely nuts. Sounds Soldiers is badass too, but it's not quite as abstract as this. Soldiers has a real laid back, jazzy hip-hop feel, while Spirit is all about the futurock.

But here is my suggestion: If you're just getting in to these guys, you should probably buy Sound Soldiers first, just so you can ease yourself in to the madness that is Gruvis Malt.

As far as Spirit goes, the best tracks are "Malaise", "Mr. Prince", "Even the Scars" (which is the song that got me hooked on these guys in the first place), and "Filling in a City". Everything on the album is good, but those stand above the rest. I guess what I'm trying to say about this album is, if you need a break from the ordinary, take a step outside of the box and buy "With the Spirit of a Traffic Jam..."

Also, if you're in to the whole jazz/funk/hip-hop/reggae scene, you should check out "Soulive", "Medeski, Martin, and Wood", "World Tribe", "Herbie Hancock", old "311", "The Crown City Rockers", Guru's "Jazzmatazz Vol. 1", and Charlie Hunter's "Natty Dread".

This album can only be described in three words:

Best Album Ever.

I have all of Gruvis Malt's other albums, and I can safely say it is AMAZING how far they advance between them. I too was hesitant when I saw the tracks from Backout Smiling on the track listing for With the Spirit of a Traffic Jam. Upon first listening, I wasn't sure it was even the same band. I think that people are writing about the album before passing this stage. After two listens, I was clear of my preconceived notions, and listening more objectively. What I heard was the best album I've ever heard in my life. I strongly recommend listening to this album on headphones. The only negative thing I can say about it would be that I wish the album was mixed in surround sound! There is so much depth to everything (I think this is mistaken for "overproducing") that it takes multiple listens to peal off the layers. Finally, I'd say the artwork on this album is perfect, and gives me the impression we don't know anything about where this band is going.

If you still do not own this album... buy it. This has to be the best album you've never heard. I had the pleasure of opening for this talented crew with my band, they made us look like fools. Truly great guys, truly tight, truly jaw dropping. Catch them on the road and buy their other cds not released by a major (or minor) label off of their website.

This is the cd that got me into the band Gruvis Mat, local to RI. This band is amazing, I cant tell you how much i enjoy their music, and how many times i have listend to this cd, it is a definitive part of my teenage years, and would recomend this cd to anyone, its sometihng you have never heard before, although at first listen some have compared to 311 and incubus ( the DJ from Incubus is on this cd) they far surpass both these bands in ability to play their instraments and the ability to write music.

That is all there is to say about this album as well as this band. Terrifically crafted musicianship without pretentious overproducing, makes this a phenomenal aural experience. My only wish is that more people were exposed to music like this. Talented musicians such as Gruvis Malt need to be heard. I will undoubtedly recommend this to anyone with an open mind and a keen sense for kick ass stimulation.