This 4 song EP is a nice, straight-ahead, high quality, well done blast of fast country infused with punk energy. It's full of dark tones, the vocals growl, and the pace pushes it all forward with compelling momentum. When it's playing, it sounds great. But ultimately it's missing the standout quality that keeps it in mind when its playtime is over.
- Nancy Baym
I've also got a new profile piece for you today on country-punks Grande Roses: [click here]
Check it out!
What happens to punk-rockers when they get old? Well, they can either desperately cling to what once was or they can do what Grande Roses did and go country. It might not seem obvious at first, but it makes sense when you think back to bands like Social Distortion who always had a bit of twang in their music. I personally went through a bit of my own country (re-)discovery after getting burnt on the punk scene. Which is not to say I don't like punk anymore, I'm just not the angry young man I used to be and my musical tastes reflect that. I will always consider myself a punk at heart nomatter what's in my stereo as the ideals imparted on me from growing up in that scene are too strong to ignore. I imagine Grande Roses probably feels the same way, though they seem to have retained more of their youthful vigor that I, judging by the shit-kicking tempos of their songs. If you think about it, country and punk aren't all that different - they're both all about the anti-hero, the outlaw. But don't look up to Sid Vicious dammit, take on Johnny Cash as a role model.
This particular song that I've posted today comes from Grande Roses debut 7" "Arctic heart". It lacks the excellent steel guitar leads that enhance the rest of the EP, but the accordion fills the space nicely. I'd like to hear a bit more tempo/rhythm variation (hear all four songs here), but I have to admit it works in their favor as a good way to introduce the band. I like this a lot.
Grande Roses - Burst
The tracklist for Razzia's "Oh no, it's Christmas" compilation has been finalized:
01. Konie - "Oh yeah, it's Christmas"
02. Hello Saferide - "iPod X-mas"
03. Kristofer Åström - "I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus"
04. Laakso - "Merry Christmas"
05. The Thousand Dollar Playboys - "A very sepcial Christmas"
06. The Soundtrack of Our Lives - "Jingle Hell (stuck in the chimney)"
07. Dreamboy - "Christmas kisses"
08. South Ambulance - "Hangin' in a tie"
09. Firefox AK & Tiger Lou - "Christmas eve"
10. Friska Viljor - "Oh no, this is what I feared all along"
11. Maia Hirasawa - "You were all there"
12. Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - "Jullåten 2004"
13. The Tiny - "No money (for X-mas)"
14. Grande Roses - "To bring back Christmas this year"
15. The Perishers - "Blue Christmas"
16. They Live By Night - "Lucia (I deserve some candles in my hair)"
17. Dogday - "Santa will never get here"
18. The Consequences - "Some kind of magic"
19. Indiekören - "Last Christmas"
Y'know that upcoming Christmas comp that Razzia is putting together? I've got a preview of the tracklist:
Firefox AK & Tiger Lou - Christmas Eve
Friska Viljor - Oh no! This is what I feared all along
Hello Saferide - iPod X-mas
South Ambulance - Hangin' in a tie
Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - Jullåten 2004
Laakso - Merry Christmas
The Tiny - No money (for X-mas)
Maia Hirasawa - You were all there
The Perishers - Blue Christmas
The Soundtrack of our lives - Jingle Hell (stuck in the chimney)
Consequences - Some kind of magic
Grande Roses - To bring X-mas back this year
Konie - Oh, yeah...it's christmas!
Dogday - Santa will never get there
Indiekören - Last Christmas
They Live By Night - Lucia (I deserve candles in my hair)
Dreamboy - Christmas kisses
Kristofer Åström - I saw mummy kissing Santa Claus
As you can see, some of these tracks are old and previously released (TSOOL for instance), but most are new and exclusive to this release. The exact order is still TBD and a few more tracks are due for submission, but I'll definitely be carrying it in the webstore when it's released on November 15.