Chris Grant - It's Not About War
by Anthony Strutt
published: 16 / 9 / 2013
Label:
359 Music
Format: CD
intro
Raw and stripped down but versatile debut solo album from Liverpool-based singer-songwriter Chris Grant, which was recorded on a broken computer
‘It's Not About War!’ is the debut album by Liverpool musician Chris Grant, who was formerly in a band called the Grants and whom Alan McGee discovered through the joys of MySpace. It was recorded and produced by Chris on an £80 broken computer, which gives the album raw and an honest air. Like his label mate John Lennon McCullagh on ex-Creation Records boss Alan McGee’s new label 359 Music, this is stripped down music with its soul to bare to the world. It is the sort of music one gets instantly. ‘Our Story’ opens the album, which jangles in a perfect mid 80’s indie fashion, when indie ruled the chart. The musicianship here reminds me of the Bunnymen, and the simple approach of the La's, Chris's vocal is golden, friendly, charming and very welcoming. ‘I am the One’ has a simple drive, and with its Housemartins-style harmonising, this makes it late night chill-out music to die for. ‘It's You’ is as political as Bob Dylan, and gently played on an acoustic with a smooth, seductive vocal which takes the listener on a smooth journey worth taking. ‘Pretty Mean’ has a late 80’s/ early 90’s feel, and is reminiscent of the Police when they were at their best and on a golden roll. The hugely entertaining ‘Like a 45’ recalls the Beatles at one level, but then also owes a lot to the 70’s too. A piano ballad, it also features smooth, gliding trumpets and a perky funk bass. ‘How Many Times?’ is a soul searcher, again commanding but not in an over-the-top Springsteen way. ‘Maybe Now’ is piano and strings-based, like Elton John and Coldplay without the drama attached, a rocker to sway with digital lighters in the air. ‘Moonlit Wall’ has all the drama of all the great songs by the Icicle Works all wrapped up into one song, and with a touch of 70s magic thrown in. ‘Too Cool to Die’ has both fire and speed, and like early U2 with a place to go. ‘Baby Pink, is a soft, acoustic comedown record, which is as lovely as Nick Drake. A fine record indeed.
Track Listing:-
1 Our Story2 I Am the One
3 It's You!
4 Pretty Mean
5 Like a 45
6 How Many Times
7 Maybe Now
8 Moonlit Wall
9 Too Cool to Die
10 Baby Pink
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/ChrisGrantOfficial/https://twitter.com/ChrisGrant__
Label Links:-
https://twitter.com/359musichttp://359music.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/359music
interviews |
|
Interview (2013) |
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| Malcolm Carter talks to singer-songwriter and music biographer Chris Wade about his band Dodson and Fogg's 60's-influenced just released third album, 'Sounds of Day and Night' |
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