The Gracious Few reminds us what Rock N' Roll is supposed to sound like

Take ¾ of 90’s Multi-Platinum band LIVE and 2/5 of 90’s Multi-Platinum band CANDLEBOX, add 100% Proof Pure Rock N’ Roll and what do you get? A Recipe for the album of 2010!

The Gracious Few, the new band which consists of Live’s Chad Taylor, Patrick Dalheimer & Chad Gracey and rounded out by Candlebox/Hiwatts Frontman Kevin Martin and Guitarist Sean “Memphis” Hennessy, is turning heads all across America currently embarked on their first ever Tour; a tour in support of said proposed ‘Album of the Year’, The Gracious Few.

This 13 song blissfully Rock N’ Roll and unapologetically mass of melodious consumption is perhaps the best new album from any band in the last decade, and that’s being tepid. It is a modernized version of Led Zeppelin and yes that is a direct call-out to you Mr. Page; forget Tyler, Cornell, and anyone else you were perusing with last year; if you’re looking for the Robert Plant of 2010, look no further than Mr. Kevin Martin. Quite possibly the most impressive frontman of the Millennium (which sounds odd since he has been making waves not to mention selling millions of records since 1993) Martin has shown true musical maturation and a steady incline of his abilities. He is one of those gems who has actually gotten better with age; as a singer, a writer and a lyricist.

The combination of Martin’s unique melodic structure in his songwriting and vocal abilities and combining that with the powerhouse rhythm section and obviously equally impressive writing team of Taylor, Gracey & Dalheimer is in hein-sight pure genius. This new project has many people saying “well I knew those guys were talented in Live, but I had no idea they had THIS in them!” The shame in that statement is that what has been overlooked possibly due to the overzealous self-incumbent high-priest-esque singer Ed Kowalczyk, is one of Rock N’ Roll’s tightest and most powerful 3-piece rhythm sections. These guys really show you that they are as hungry now as they ever were, if not more so, as evident in the explosive first single “Honest Man." Some advise for fans of Live; when frontman Ed Kowalczyk grates on the nerves or preaches from his “Zen-like” life-force and you lose that connection to the music and the lyrics, turn to The Gracious Few. It’s Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Live, Candlebox, The Hiwatts, and something not yet quite attainable all rolled into one.

And with all of that said, often the shining moment on the album comes from Sean “Memphis” Hennessy.

The newcomer to Candlebox since the 2006 reunion, Hennessy is the secret weapon of The Gracious Few. With his subtle yet complex David Gilmour-esque feel for soloing in all the right places, Sean brings an element to The Gracious Few that a lot of the best bands these days still somehow lack. He brings an old-school feel to a modern approach at a multi-generational included variety of guitar influence, which is gauged throughout his playing. Dare yourself to pinpoint any specific root of influence in his guitar playing; it will leave you pondering for quite some time. Take for instance the soul-piercing bends and blues-laced note-patterns that lead you through the midsection of “Crying Time”, it is one of those moments where you can’t help but get goosebumps every time you hear it.


Every song on this album drives it home. From the intro to now released 2nd single “Appetite” which reminisces of Aerosmith’s “Sweet Emotion” intro at times before grooving full-throttle into the abyss of Classic Rock prowess, to the reggae-driven pop-enthralled yet lyrically beautiful and instantaneously relatable “The Rest of You,” to the ”sing your heart out, this is why we’re on this planet” sing-a-along chorus of “Sing”, and even to the punk rock rooted bonus track “All I Hear”, The Gracious Few is an instant classic with miles of substance. It is a Modernized Classic Rock album with pulsating rhythm, screeching vocals, screaming yet tasty guitars, thought-provoking & soul-searching lyrics and a intergalactic ball of energy beautifully arranged and sonically orgasmic to the ears and more than ready for mass intake.

For our local readers, be sure to check out The Gracious Few on November 3rd, 2010 at The Gramercy Theater in New York City as part of Billboard’s Touring Conference Showcase and on November 4th at The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

To cure what’s ailing you, go to www.TheGraciousFew.com


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