Unsigned: Grief Society

Record: Universal Misunderstanding

Contact: http://members.lycos.co.uk/grief/

Thump!  That�s the noise that this sizeable and pretty impressive press pack made when the postman jammed it through my door and it narrowly missed a cat.  It makes a nice change to see an unsigned band that really makes an effort with their presentation.  Still no cash in the package though, I also like sweets, as long as they are sealed so that I know no attempt has been made on my health.  First impressions really count, especially if you are trying to convince a record company that you are worth spending upwards of two million pounds on you (yes that is how much it costs to promote an album for a major label!)  The worst pack I ever had from a band was just a cdr with marker pen on, and a typed slip of paper about the size of a rizla.  No covering letter, nothing, and to be honest I still haven�t got round to listening to it.  I listened to this CD as soon as I got it.  Presentation makes a BIG difference, if you can�t be bothered to make the effort why should I?

The first track on the album �Pin Cushion� starts like something off Abraxas by SANTANA, bouncy drums and large sweeping chords.  No bad thing.  I was impressed at how the guitarist managed to cut down his workload by only playing every other chord too.  The vocals are very confident, but in my opinion lack real substance during the verses.  When the chorus kicks in the song opens out a bit, and the singing gets quite a cool gravel edge to it, kinda like Eddi Veder mixed with Robert Plant.  Unfortunately the guitar solo was kinda predictable, sometimes a sign of far more playing talent than song writing ability.  The lyrics are a little cringe worthy, but by their very nature lyrics are always very personal; both to the writer and the listener.  Personally I am always turned off by lyrics that try and get any kind of moral message across, or are political.  But hell, that�s why I love bands like the Dickies and the Ramones!  So just because I don�t enjoy lyrics like �All she wants is her innocence�, doesn�t mean they won�t really mean something to somebody else.

The next track starts sounding like �Two Princes� by THE SPIN DOCTORS, which kinda gave me a fright!  Almost like a live performance the singer�s voice sounds like it has warmed up now, there is a lot more personality coming across.  Still can�t get the Spin Doctors out of my head though. Not pleased about that.

The forth track �Small Town� rocks along nicely, kinda like a modern LED ZEPPLIN if they were still making albums like Led Zeppelin III.  Cool riff backed up by some rock solid bass and kick ass drumming.  But when that chorus comes along I can really see a theme developing.  Tight rocking verse riffs, intercut with large sweeping choruses that are one stop away from sing-a-long (that�s a compliment!).

Overall the GREIF SOCIETY sound is very americanised, some tracks have a very HOOTIE AND THE BLOWFISH feel to them.  I almost expected that Hootie style throat singing to kick in at any moment.  I see GREIF SOCIETY doing really well in the States; they are tight, talented and obviously very good at what they do.  But Andrew Lloyd Webber is very good at what he does, and I sure as hell wouldn�t listen to his crap.  Personally I prefer my rock with a bit more punk.

Andrew Culture