The Gracious Few Album Review, by OutToDry Options

[OutToDry]

Here goes, been promising it for a few days. Hope you like



1. Appetite. Those of us lucky to get a glimpse of this track in late 2009, got our attention and the juices flowing. This track is one of my favorites. No matter how many times I spin it, I am singing that chorus, by the way, the re-tracking of that is so awesome. The initial opening bass line with the faded guitars followed by CG’s skin smashing gets right in your face and simply says hey, pay attention son!!! The Zeppelin vibe wins me over completely. I like the KM.. Robert Plant like yelps in this one. As Gracey said in the bio, this is his favorite and it kills in concert….I am so wanting that. Hope this gets on radio sometime…the look, the lips, the appetite!!!! A+++++

2. Honest Man. Such a wonderful punch in the gut!!! We’ve talked this one at length here. Gotta say that it’s such a nice refreshing affirmation that real rock music can be done in this day and age!!! The story around the lyrics and Kevin belting the notes on this track keeps you in the game. The old reworked music from Live’s Believe show what a driving force C&C&P are creatively. Chad Taylor did a great job with his solo on this, I commend him for the effort!!!!! A+++++

3. Guilty Fever. I’ve been wanting to hear this one since the album track sampler was released by TGF. I love what PD can do with that axe….”Careful with that axe Eugene”. Some amazing grooving going on here!!! Yes, Kevin really gets high in this one but heck, it’s such a catchy heavy tune. I am demanding that all of you go ride in the car with this blazing and it might get you a speeding ticket!!! Awesome guitaring by SH & CT. Gracey must have blown a good many drum heads doing this one.

4. The Few. Wow, more gut punching raw energy here. Some angry words for (whom?). What a power blast going on under KM’s lyrics. So raw, emotional, and in your face. This song tells us of the backed into the corner ‘we’ll show all the doubters’ blast off into musical bliss Another tight and clean song……this is organic music at its finest. Can’t say much more than that. F*cking incredible!!! A++++++

5. The Rest of You. We started to think from the Fat Daddy’s boot that this song was purely filler. It has a dynamic and range and a feel to it that brings you in for a while. The softer blues riffs into full Gibson power keeps this track from getting the ‘skip’ button on my iPod. The later chorus gives me that giddy feeling and not wanting the song to end. This one had def grown on me a lot. A+++

6. Crying Time (Wendell’s Song) – From the moment this was placed on MySpace and Facebook, we’ve had the chance to listen to it. Very emotional story here dealing with their friend a topic which we all know happens. The build up from the initial lyrics into the chorus, rolling guitars and steady beat by CG and PD keep the song moving along and tells the story. KM’s belting range into the climb SH’s solo is a nice crescendo. The solo, to me sounds legendary. I’ve told Sean this and he’s humbled by it. I think its sheer awesome and one of the best solos on the record. The trail off of the story has you saying; wow that was a great song!! A+++

7. Silly Thing. This song is a nice rolling tempo rocker. After listening to this tune about 10 times, I love singing along with it. The band did a nice job with this one, not too hard, not soft. Nice bluesy ballad with a great solo in the middle. Reminds me of some older Goo-Goo Dolls tracks when they were very edgy. Nice change of pace in the middle of the records leading up to one the best songs I ever heard. A++

8. Closer. What can I say? This song does it for me in so many ways. The quiet lead in with the spooky sounding lyrics and backing sound get you on the edge. The lyrics tell us the feelings the band were feeling on a number of levels. The break into the CT/SH crashing guitars, CG drums and PD bass is so awesome on so many levels. What a tight song!!! When you hold things in for a long time, I think this is the result of an artists’ ability. The refrain where KM goes off with PD laying down such a heavy groove brings me to tears. We can all interpret these lyrics anyway we want. The lead out has you spent like you just came!!! A++++++

9. What’s Wrong? Wow, such a splendid ROCK BALLAD. I think this song reminds me most of Prince’s Purple Rain….I can see the concert goers singing this one in unison with lighters flaring. The progression changes keep you interested and KM tells a great story here. This song will grow on a lot of folks. A++

10. Tredecim. Been discussed here for months…….One of the best tracks I’ve heard. I’ve been blasting this in my car since we got it earlier in the springtime. Love homemade mp3 cdrs!!! So awesome in so many ways…The BAND CAN BE LOUD and move you on this one. The angry chords beats grab you down in your mommy-bits. The Chorus is one of the best collaborative efforts I’ve ever heard on a rock album!! A+++++

11. Nothing But Love – Damn…. Patrick Dahlheimer & Chad Gracey are so underrated. They beat a lot of musicians on laying down a base to a song. I love the Zeppelin-esque croon from Kevin along with the banging beat……I will admit it, this song gets me out of my chair!! The middle section gets you dancing with a get the hell out of my way effect…..fist pumps. Damn the bass makes this song……sweet lady walk with me… A++++

12. Sing. It’s been mentioned here a bit about the reggae grove with this one. Has a little 311 influences in it. Yes, this one is a bit of a diversion than the heavier songs, but it’s another lyrical story from KM. He’s telling us ‘thank you’ for being a part of this from deep down!!! This track has grown on me in a few short days (yeah….I purchased the record early). A++

13. All I Hear (Ghost Track). I don’t want to change for the sake of change, I don’t want to bring back yesterday…….well that is what we got with TGF!!!! They are taking the proverbial bull by the horns and doing it their way. Another nice rock anthem here. We were all worried this was an i-tunes exclusive, glad we are getting it. Nice lead in to the heavier riffs filled the middle of this song. It’s grinding and rolling, dark, happy, and loud all in one. The playoff guitars between CT & SH keep me coming back for more in this one. A+++

Snyopsis: I can’t get over this record. Most anticipated record for me since perhaps Secret Samadhi record. I am totally blown away with the 1000% effort on this piece of lexan plastic. These guys really did hone their craft and rediscovered their form…I’ll say even better…..it might be better than some of the legendary Live works. It’s certainly not Live or CB, but it’s certainly a testament to getting back to your roots and center and making something from your soul and organically grown. I say it’s an instant classic, but hey I am only a fan of real rock music. Regardless of the outcome of this record, I think the music stands on its own and will be judged for what it stands for. A+++++

[PillarOfDavidson]

Thanks for taking the time to write that out.

I have a question about Believe. Is there an original version of that floating around the internet somewhere?

[OutToDry]

Yes, youtube Live Believe, House of Blues and you will find 2-3 versions of it.

[PillarOfDavidson]

Yes, youtube Live Believe, House of Blues and you will find 2-3 versions of it.

Thanks. Dan also sent me a PM with a link to the thread on the forum where it was being discussed.

[Costakoui]

Snyopsis: I can’t get over this record. Most anticipated record for me since perhaps Secret Samadhi record. I am totally blown away with the 1000% effort on this piece of lexan plastic. These guys really did hone their craft and rediscovered their form…I’ll say even better…..it might be better than some of the legendary Live works. It’s certainly not Live or CB, but it’s certainly a testament to getting back to your roots and center and making something from your soul and organically grown. I say it’s an instant classic, but hey I am only a fan of real rock music. Regardless of the outcome of this record, I think the music stands on its own and will be judged for what it stands for. A+++++
[/quote]


I liked the way you have reviewed the album, basically putting all song in the A range and then differentiate by the nuber of stars of by how g excellent they are.

[+Ed+]

Very nice review, still have to make mine. Maybe tonight

[SecretInsomnia]

nice review! well written! and also gives a good preview for people who havent heard it yet.

[TheBeacon]

Crying Time needs to be a single, it could get some real attention from radio stations for TGF!

[PillarOfDavidson]

Hey, one of the things you are overlooking in the song The Rest Of You is Gracey's "skip-to-my-Lou" drumming in that song. The guitars almost gave this song a feel of "oh, ok... here's a song I'm about to skip". But then... there's Gracey to hold the song up and lets me hear the song in a completely different way than I would have with any other run of the mill drummer.

Gracey is my favorite rock drummer of the 90's. People rave about other drummers, but there's something intangible in his style that comes out in very tangible grooves. There's always something slightly different with him that makes him stand apart from all those other drummers to me. It's as if all those other drummers have drumming styles that you could call "one-size-fits-all" and Gracey's is always custom fitted for his particular bands.

You don't get to see it very much on albums post-V, but you could really hear it and feel it on Throwing Copper and SS.

Anyway... I'm done.

This post has been edited by MrSheptical: Sep 15 2010, 10:13 am

[TheBeacon]

The funny thing I just thought of with this album is that if anyone of these songs were a LIVE song we had first heard we would all be screaming ohhh this is the next big thing and it will be a huge single! LIVE is back! Then we would get the album and it would suck. But not TGF! Even the 5th best song on the album whatever that may be is better than anyting Ed has wrote in 7 years! I think Lighthouse and Like I Do was the last we saw of anything from Chad T's influence until now! I missed you so bad!!!!!!!!!!!!

[OutToDry]

Good feedback guys, very very good valid points on both!!!

[Wildman]

Great review, read it on the way home in the train while listening to TGF

[FishOutaWater]

Excellent review. You just eliminated my need to even post my own review.

Incidentally, I pre-rdered from Amazon and I still don't have the album.

[TheBeacon]

I cannot get over how much I love Appetite!!!!!

also...... after the bridge when Kevin screams before he sings again reminds me of a Jeep commerical or something as your watching it sliding through the mud or sideways on a wet road! haha

Love this song!!!!!!!

[+Ed+]

Ha! You see how much we all love DIFFERENT songs! Speaks for the quali I must say!