In reviewing all the custom projects this season, there were plenty of excellent acts to choose from for this pick. Gramma Train gets my vote because of their quality songs, great performance, raging attitude, thoughtful lyrics, creative packaging, and, to top it all off, they've got a cool name to boot.
Tons of bands have jumped on the grunge train, but few seem to really capture the original vision that fueled the whole movement. Gramma Train, residents of the rainy city, sound like they've done their homework. There's an honesty there.
I love the lyrics, too. "Sometimes I'm lost in a circle/ The beast of human nature breathing in my face/ And I won't pretend to ignore him/ Emotions start to sway, but truth won't fade away." ("Believe") There's also humor: "I know I can be obscene/ I'm addicted to caffeine." ("Jerky Love Song") The funniest part, though, is the answering machine recordings at the end of the album, where people like Sometime Sunday's Mikee and Michael Bloodgood are calling up to tell the band they can't borrow their gear.
I guess the greatest asset to Gramma Train's sound is the full 'n' fuzzy guitar sound of Pete Stewart, who also lends his raspy, yet melodic voice to all the songs. The buzzin' bass tone is pretty happenin' too, as in the tune "Lonely House."
I predict we'll continue to hear good things from these guys. Besides, the drummer is Paul Roraback from Bloodgood!
Other coverage for this album
Heaven's Metal #49Reviewed by Doug Van PeltHere's a trio of Seattle residents performing (guess what style of) music that's very derivative of 70's hard rock: It's very vocal heavy, with a fairly jangly drum beat. Fans of punk, jazz and (especially) grunge all have something to appreciate. While not the absolute best production, it still stands head and shoulders above many custom projects (ie. it's professional). The tightness and casual…
