A coup d'etat by the funky - My review of The Gracious Few, Bring something to snack on Options

[thefunkyredcaboose]

Alright, you've clamored, you've begged, and here it is, my review. I didn't do song rankings as that is always difficult for me. Also, this might get a little long, so I won't be offended if no one comments because they got bored. There are better things to do on the internet. Also, keep in mind that Live and Candlebox have been my absolute two favorite rock bands since the early 90s, and that them teaming up still blows my mind.

Artwork: The artwork is absolutely great. I admit to being concerned that the band only had the one logo and that was it. The pictures inside the album really capture the spirit of the record, and the art on the back cover strikes me every time. It does everything art should do.

Appetite: This song gripped me from day one when we heard the board mix. The new guitar parts in this version are nice and subtle (sounds like Sean redid some of his guitar in the right channel and it gives it some nice flare). This is also one of the best vocals on the album from top to bottom. My one complaint is that I wish the guitar solo were longer, it feels like it ends when it just getting started. All in all one of the best songs on the record.

Honest Man: I believe my feelings for this song have been made clear numerous times on this board. I think it is perfect, and it gives me the chills to finally hear CT throw down a nice solo again. We've missed you man!

Guilty Fever: LOVE the riffs in this song, love the structure, love the solo, love the pounding drums, and honestly I really enjoy the vocal style. I realize it is very polarizing but I think I am one of those who really gets it (I do listen to Prince a lot I guess). CG's third drum fill during the bridge is the best fill he has recorded to date.

The only issue I have with this one is that somewhere in the mixing and mastering process this song seems to have become louder than the others. The drums and guitars seem very bright and the bass seems very faint. It doesn't hurt this song, but in the context of the album it hurts...

The Few: Easily my favorite song in their live set. Easily. This one killed at Summerfest. On the album though, I have a harder time enjoying it. The loudness of Guilty Fever really overpowers the intro of this song since the guitar tones are much darker making the song sound quieter. I also feel that the vocal effect used on the lead vox in the chorus seems to weaken them instead of giving them power. Last but not least, the way the drums are panned makes that incredible CG drum part easy to distinguish, but may be stealing energy from the other instruments.

In the end though, this is still one of my favorite TGF songs and a prime example of what they can do as a band. I am going to hope for a killer live recording down the road as there is so much to love about it, ESPECIALLY the backing vocals on the chorus and the guitar riff. Far be it from me to tell Jerry Harrison or TLA what to do with a song in the studio, but this one unfortunately left me wanting.

The Rest of You: This song would be right at home on BoP or Candlebox's Into The Sun record, and unfortunately that leaves me out of enjoying it. For the style, it seems to be very competent, but I just can't do the pop/rock thing very often.

Crying Time: It still gives me chills. I love everything about this song, but most notably PD's sliding bass part in the verses (with extra nice distortion), the chilling guitar solo, and even the little metronome drum loop. KM's vocals hit all the right emotional spots for me.

Silly Thing: This one unfortunately falls into the same category as The Rest of You for me. I think they do this pop/rock thing really well and the song sounds fantastic, especially the dirty guitar in the intro, but I would just really rather hear more songs like Appetite and The Few. The quality of this song speaks to the versatility of the band, but I can hear pop/rock anywhere.

Closer: Absolutely badass song. The bass distortion is insane (would love to ask Jerry and PD how they got that sound), Gracey sounds great, and the bridge goes to a place that I never expected it to. Drop D guitar and Kevin screaming like a madman just works all kind of wonder on this record. I don't find it to be as unique as Honest Man, but that could make this song a great single choice.

The only thing that disappointed me in this one is that I was totally expecting a nasty shredding solo after the bridge section. It just seemed like we were going there and then BAM, chorus. So sad. I guess I can't expect rocking guitar action in every song though... I guess... At least Sean brings it at the end of the song!

What's Wrong: I have to get out there that this one would have been at home on any Candlebox record, but it is mighty impressive that this is the only song I would say that about. In execution though, the band doesn't play it like Candlebox would and that is all the difference. I love the backing organ sounds through the verses here, and the perfect slide guitar bits. I also admit to getting chills the first time I heard the bridge and the HUGE guitar that comes in there. Absolutely glorious sound there. This is one of my favorite vocals on the album too.

Trecedim: It is as great as it was months ago. I think this stands out as one of the more unique songs on the record with its light progressive feel, time signature, and chanting chorus. I would love to hear more songs like this from the band, and even then taking on an even more progressive edge. These guys could do it so well that it is wrong to deny the world of it, wrong I say!

Nothing But Love: The feel of this song is great from the bass intro on, and I really love the verse and chorus in their rawest form. The percussive bridge is especially cool and well done. Like Trecedim, it has a really unique feel within the album and something that is unquestionably TGF. However, for me, it just doesn't really seem to go anywhere. The jam in the middle of the song isn't as nasty as it could have been, and the vocals on the chorus seem masked yet again in an unnecessary voice effect that for me lessens their impact.

I love the pieces of this song to death, but the final product is missing that well-executed spark that makes Honest Man such a special song (for one example). Every time I listen to this song I feel like I should be loving it to pieces, but it just doesn't get me there. That percussive bridge is very cool though, wonder if CG came up with that or if that was Jerry's Talking Heads past talking?

Sing: This song has been the subject of much debate in my mind, and even a heated exchange with Liverocks77. The subject of the song is something that I understand well enough. I think that having had at least a small part of that experience I both relate to it and have a hard time enjoying it. In that context, a couple of bits still seem a little cheesy to me (mainly the bridge lyrics, I really just don't get "I am Song") but other parts get to me especially in the second verse.

Musically, I really love the sound of the verses (the fret squeak in spots is a GREAT touch), the tempo shift at the bridge, and Sean's absolutely masterful guitar work. Each provides something not present on the rest of the album. I also love the chorus on an emotional level, knowing some of what the guys have been through to get to this point. It is really powerful stuff, and it is great to get a glimpse of that emotion. In the end, I'm still divided on this one but I certainly appreciate it.

All I Hear: It is a shame to me that this is a ghost track because this song could be a single. The reggae feel of the verses merged with the fast rock of the choruses works extremely well. The backing "oohs" throughout the song give me pause every time. "A coup d'etat by the few, yes the gracious, the gracious, the bold" is one of my favorite lyrical points of the whole album.

Had it been me (and it clearly wasn't) I might've trimmed down the structure a little, but on the whole this is one of the best produced and most lyrically bold songs on the album. The ending is also perfect for the song and gets me so juiced to hear the band live again.

The Verdict: While I love this album on a song by song basis, I can't help but feel some missed opportunities when I listen from start to finish. The album kicks off with four of the heaviest hitting songs and they work great together but having them scattered a bit would have made the flow more appealing to this listener. All I Hear deserved a full album credit and would have helped with the flow in the softer middle section of the album, and Sing would have been the perfect closer. It is nice that in this digital age I can re-order the tracks, so I can't complain too much!

In the end, the variety and quality of songs on this record can't be overstated. Several of the tracks gripped me like few rock songs have in recent memory, and ultimately I prefer this album easily over Live's last 3 albums and the latest effort from Candlebox. I am really glad these guys hooked up. To me this album plays like a very promising record from a young band. I think that the successes as well as the problems speak to a band with youthful energy and passion, and that makes me very excited to see where they go from here.

This post has been edited by thefunkyredcaboose: Sep 22 2010, 11:06 am

[TheBeacon]

This review wasen't what really pissed Kevin off was it? I dont get it, seems like positive review to me and the majority do nothing but praise TGF here. Why was he so mad?

[sh4rpz]

This review wasen't what really pissed Kevin off was it? I dont get it, seems like positive review to me and the majority do nothing but praise TGF here. Why was he so mad?

hehe, no no! I think TFRK is making a habit of these sarcastic-styled remarks lately that aren't being digested too well by those missing a few pages of post!

Selling the Drama!