Gracious Few reviews in Media Options

[SJN1279]

http://reviewfix.com/2010/09/closer-by-the...he-week-review/

Closer’ by The Gracious Few: I-Tunes Free Single of the Week Review.
Posted by Nadia Vega on 9/17/10 • Categorized as Music


Formed in 2009, The Gracious Few is an American rock band that consists of members from two separate older groups; Live and Candlebox. Individually, both bands were having difficulty with keeping a steady line-up. Just-so-happen, once they found each other, their similarity in style and ideas were able to fit the description in what they all wanted.

Chad Taylor (guitarist), Patrick Dahlheimer (bassist) and Chad Gracey (drummer) originally belonged to Live, while Kevin Martin (lead vocalist) and Sean Hennesy (guitarist) were a part of Candlebox. Conjoined together as one, this group of highly experienced musicians create melodies that associate with the genres of hard rock, alternative rock and post-grunge.

When the arrangements of official members and style were chosen, The Gracious Few wasted no time in making tunes.

In September of 2009, they began rehearsing and eventually recorded their first self-titled debut album. This particular CD was produced by Jerry Harrison (member of Talking Heads) and mixed by Tom Lord-Alge. It was released sometime in 2010.

The eighth track off of “The Gracious Few” is titled “Closer.”

It’s one of those typical rock and roll-esque songs that can easily be mistaken for one of the same genre.

Martin’s vocals are strong and stern, but does not contain an original sound. On the other hand, he still manages to offer a sense of heartfelt emotion while singing.

When it comes to the background music, Hennesy and Taylor demonstrate mediocre guitar riffs that contain a large flavor of grunge and distortion.

One thing that stands out during this track is that the bass is more recognized than it usually would be in any other song. Dahlheimer’s style can be compared with that of the bassist from Chevelle.

Gracey’s drumming is nothing special, but it does suit the hard rock aura that The Gracious Few was going for.

Overall, “Closer” is something not to get over excited for. It has potential and should be given a chance, but The Gracious Few certainly has some work to do. Hopefully, in the their case, the other 12 tracks are able to make up for what they lost in this one.

[PurdueSteve]

http://reviewfix.com/2010/09/closer-by-the...he-week-review/

Closer’ by The Gracious Few: I-Tunes Free Single of the Week Review.
Posted by Nadia Vega on 9/17/10 • Categorized as Music
Formed in 2009, The Gracious Few is an American rock band that consists of members from two separate older groups; Live and Candlebox. Individually, both bands were having difficulty with keeping a steady line-up. Just-so-happen, once they found each other, their similarity in style and ideas were able to fit the description in what they all wanted.

Chad Taylor (guitarist), Patrick Dahlheimer (bassist) and Chad Gracey (drummer) originally belonged to Live, while Kevin Martin (lead vocalist) and Sean Hennesy (guitarist) were a part of Candlebox. Conjoined together as one, this group of highly experienced musicians create melodies that associate with the genres of hard rock, alternative rock and post-grunge.

When the arrangements of official members and style were chosen, The Gracious Few wasted no time in making tunes.

In September of 2009, they began rehearsing and eventually recorded their first self-titled debut album. This particular CD was produced by Jerry Harrison (member of Talking Heads) and mixed by Tom Lord-Alge. It was released sometime in 2010.

The eighth track off of “The Gracious Few” is titled “Closer.”

It’s one of those typical rock and roll-esque songs that can easily be mistaken for one of the same genre.

Martin’s vocals are strong and stern, but does not contain an original sound. On the other hand, he still manages to offer a sense of heartfelt emotion while singing.

When it comes to the background music, Hennesy and Taylor demonstrate mediocre guitar riffs that contain a large flavor of grunge and distortion.

One thing that stands out during this track is that the bass is more recognized than it usually would be in any other song. Dahlheimer’s style can be compared with that of the bassist from Chevelle.

Gracey’s drumming is nothing special, but it does suit the hard rock aura that The Gracious Few was going for.

Overall, “Closer” is something not to get over excited for. It has potential and should be given a chance, but The Gracious Few certainly has some work to do. Hopefully, in the their case, the other 12 tracks are able to make up for what they lost in this one.

Why would someone review one track? The reviewer is probably looking for something more modern, I would presume, but still. One track? At first listen Closer didn't grab me either, but it did over a few listens. If one is to review a single song on this album, it should be Honest Man or Crying Time.

e: nevermind, I see the blog site simply reviews the iTunes SOTW and nothing more. Hardly a professional "in the media" review. You could've just as well linked to my blog!

This post has been edited by PurdueSteve: Sep 20 2010, 11:41 am

[SJN1279]

http://www.venuszine.com/articles/music/76...he_Gracious_Few
The Gracious Few
The Gracious Few (Questionable Entertainment)
By Catherine McCarthy
Published: September 15th, 2010 | 7:00pm
Two Stars

Regarding the mythical phoenix, the poet Ovid wrote, “[It] builds a pile on which it deposits itself, and dying, breathes out its last breath [...] a young Phoenix issues forth, destined to live as long a life as its predecessor.” And from the ashes of commercially successful ‘90s rock groups that have met their demise, so too will supergroups and solo projects rise. When Live disbanded nearly two years ago, lead singer Adam Kowalczyk set off to support his brother (and former Live frontman) Ed Kowalczyk’s newest solo endeavor and start his own. This left Live’s Chad Taylor, Patrick Dahlheimer, and Chad Gracey with the basic workings of a tight band with over two decades of recording and touring experience, but lacking a voice. Upon recruiting Kevin Martin and Sean Hennesy from ‘90s hard rock outfit Candlebox to head up lead vocals and lead guitar, the Gracious Few were born.

The Gracious Few are the lucky few, who, upon euthanizing bands that went past their prime, managed to salvage their collective talents and mold them into a cohesive front. Their debut eponymous release is nothing new: think the standard mix of rock ballads, hopeful anthems, and gritty forays into nu metal, and unfortunately, the dozen tracks run a little long at times. “Silly Thing” is exactly that: it’s hard to take seriously an angry man growling, “I am the harvest moon, my autumn sprite.” “Tredicim” holds great promise—structurally sound with the hopeful hook potential to grab the attention of a radio audience, along with the album’s closer, “Sing.” “What’s Wrong” could be a B-side from Live’s breakout album The Distance to Here, or a one-off track co-written ten years ago with Collective Soul.

The Gracious Few get points for effort: it’s clear they didn’t keep their rock family together because they were chasing the glory days of yore. The passion comes through, but it’s hard for fans to muster enthusiasm over songs that show little growth. It’s rare that a band falls comfortably between trying to grow and failing, and not attempting out of laziness: instead, the Gracious Few are happy exactly where they are, doing what they do best. As long as their core audience doesn’t get too hungry for innovation, they’ll enjoy as much longevity as the bands from which they came. If you’re looking to relive the early post-grunge era, spend time with this album. If you’re looking for something new, set your sights elsewhere.