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The first impression of this
band is a Social Distortive-overtone that's wily and quick, with
a shotgun-riding, Rockabilly swagger that swings from the vine
of yesterday's swing and sway, a back woods perspective, and
black and white recollections. I don't quite get the name
GRAFTON, since we're not dealing with any apparent band member's
moniker, but I do like the song titles.
"Buckshot Girl," which ranks
among the top two or three here, is a good example. But, stick
around a while. There's quite a few, like "Tom Sellek"
(not my own misprint,
it's sans "C" and has nothing whatsoever to do with
the actor I assume), but hey, they could've chosen worse,
although I did hear that Lee Horsley was no longer available.
Still, like that "Buckshot Girl" tune from before,
it's got the makings of a Rock radio hit, although it'll never
come close without that
all elusive break afforded hardly any an upstart Indie-Rocker.
The tunes are high caliber and richly
produced. In fact, it's among the best I've heard yet from this
label that's still churning out some of the best Mid-Western
Rock and Soul this side of, well, Diana Ross singing the Star
Spangled at Shea? Maybe not, but I like these guys. They've got
rhythm and they ain't afraid to get their hands dirty and rub 'em
on the pants of a catchy groove, or Setzer-like six string
break.
"Phineas Gage" is another one
for the thumbs up category. If you can't get into this groove -
we're talking foot tapping, knee-slapping, frame-thumpin' good
time Rock that's comfortably at home at a backyard barbecue or
your neighbors garage, then you're in trouble.
There's also little evidence of an
identity crisis, or some hum-drum hallowness that's quickly
learned by many a new act with too much digitized space to fill.
"The Best Part Of La Grange" is,
well, I don't know what it is, but I'm sure somewhere in the
lines they're telling us. I'm just too busy getting into the
music to pick out the words. By around this point in the album,
the lean years Replacements come to mind - say around
"Hootenanny" and "Tim" era stuff, since It's
less abrasive than their Punk youth and less polished than their
Sire Records sell-out. GRAFTON has little trouble following the
lead of said acts who've built their names on underground cred,
emotive Power Rock and Jive principles.
Yes, GRAFTON is a funny name and the old
family photos do well to somehow draw attention to their
Southern roots, but make no mistake, they're arriving at their
earliest stage where many before them took two to three albums
to develop. What else can ya say about a band conscious enough
to quote James Wright on the back cover. Save your pennies and
go out and get the record. It ain't like you gotta worry about
them going out of style. Hell, this kinda music was never in
style. That's what makes it so great. Go ask the MC5 and if that
don't work, go ask your father!
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| Artist |
Grafton |
| Title |
Grafton |
| Label |
Derailleur
Records |
| Reviewer |
Vinnie
Apicella |
| Rating |
 |
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| web site |
Grafton
Home Page |
| win stuff |
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