Gran Ronde
On and On
2008 | Filter Recordings
When one looks at the overabundance of severity found in the post-punk
line of music, there always seems to be lacking one thing,
accessibility. There is a way to create dark, brooding tracks without
alienating a large percentage of would-be fans. A great example of this
can be found within Los Angeles' based Gran Ronde.
Their debut EP, On and On, creates a dark atmospheric sound while still
retaining some lightness in both melodies and vocals. On "Trouble
(Hide)" and "The River", lead singer Chris Pearson eerily seems to
transform vocally into Robert Smith, making connections to the Cure
well warranted. However, tracks like "Retrace" really stand Gran Ronde
on their own two feet, with catchy guitar hooks and a more modern feel
to it. The epic quality to the later tracks on the EP make me yearn to
hear how their full length LP will develop into (out in April).
Overall,
an enjoyable collection of songs from a genre that can sometimes feel a
little cold, Gran Ronde takes on the current invasion of British
sounding pop bands and gives them a good kick in the ass. You can pick
up your copy of the EP at their record release show February 6 at The
Bordello.
-Elana Rintala
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