ALBUM REVIEW
Artist: The Grande
Album: Bleaker St.
Website: thegrande.co.uk
Way back in 2008 at the start of my first ever CD review for Liverpool Acoustic I explained that one of the ways I measure the quality of a CD is by the length of time I keep it in my car’s CD player. In the case of Bleaker St., the debut album from local alt-country band The Grande, it’s been entertaining me while driving for five weeks and sees no sign of being replaced any time soon.
The reason I like Bleaker St. so much is because it’s just so damned good! From the opening guitar riffs of Don’t Melt Me Down to the home-spun intimacy of the closing title track, this album doesn’t have a single duff track on it. Normally I’d highlight one or two tracks that stand out from the rest, but in this case that would be most of the tracks. What we have here is top-class songwriting, with fabulous musicianship and singing, all professionally recorded and engineered – a genuine treat to listen to.
Don’t Melt Me Down starts the album by setting the standards high and introduces The Grande’s trademark sound along the way. Ben Sherwen’s lead vocals are perfectly matched by Melissa Parker’s harmonies and complimentary vocals, and Joel Lynch’s lead guitar is underpinned by Ben’s acoustic guitar, Paul Davenport’s bass, Phil Stevens’ drumming, and Christian Madden’s guest appearance on the wonderfully evocative Hammond Organ.
Hollow House introduces Scott Poley on pedal steel guitar for a song that wouldn’t sound out of place on an Eagles set list or album. In fact, can I be the first to dub The Grande as The Scouse Eagles? In my opinion they’re that good, and whereas Don Henley needed Glenn Frey’s help to write some of their best hits, Ben Sherwen manages the feat seemingly effortlessly by himself.
The album continues with Open Heart, a song I found myself singing along to even on the first hearing – the sign of good songwriting, in my book. Rose Tinted Picture slows the pace and allows Melissa to take centre stage with lead vocals, and the contrast adds yet another dimension to the album’s sound.
And the cracking songs continue one after another. Life’s On Hold is followed by Wasted, with a suitably sad harmonica sound. Ghosts sounds more contemporary and, dare I say it, commercial (nothing wrong with that!), while Sunset On The Years is a beautiful ballad with great musicianship and sweet harmonies.
Coffee And Wine has a more traditional country feel to it with the added fun factor of a honky-tonk piano and banjo. Smile slips effortlessly back into the slower pace that the band does so well, allowing the songs to speak for themselves, with Ben and Melissa sharing the vocals.
At five and a half minutes long Stay, Tonight is by far the longest track on the album, although it never outstays its welcome despite the slow tempo – yet another sign of a well written song. The final track on the album is Bleaker St., a lo-fi recording which surprises (pleasantly, of course) with the introduction of Scott on mandolin.
The iTunes Gracenote database lists the genre for this album as ‘Alternative’, probably because the person who first added it couldn’t find a better way to describe it from the options available. However, ‘alternative’ is probably as apt a way as any to describe it, given that Bleaker St. combines roots, Americana, alt-country, and rock ‘n’ roll into a potent mix of music planted firmly into the genre I like to call ‘just great music’.
If you haven’t already bought this album, then what are you waiting for? Buy it. Now. You won’t be disappointed. After all, my car’s CD player doesn’t lie.
Bleaker St. is available to buy as a digital download and a limited edition CD from thegrande.co.uk
The Grande will be headlining Liverpool Acoustic Live on Friday 27th January at the View Two Gallery. Tickets are £5 in advance and available now from wegottickets.com/liverpoolacoustic
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