Labels: Complicity
Review by: Andy Malcolm
Hey! I have a TEST PRESSING of the new Grampus 8 7″. And you should be jealous.
Grampus 8 are one of my favourite UK bands to have emerged recently, and I base that on the 5 songs off the Dina split, and the 4 more here. The title track taken from this slab o’ wax, “Subway” is definitely my favourite of the 4 tunes, all super catchy guitar work where they show off their fantastic talent for switching from mellow twinkles to upbeat bouncing at the raising of an eyebrow. A fantastic slice of the Kossabone Red mixed with My Favorite Citizen, just like last time. Oh, that means it sounds a bit like Cap’n Jazz or a punkier early Promise Ring. Right? The other tracks here are all very different to each other! The second song is upbeat indie rock, pretty short, but very solid. Following that is a punkier but no less melodic song, with some cool choppy guitars and a shouty almost Snuff like chorus! The 4th and final one caught me off guard with the drum machine beat and harmonica at the start, then it introduces some acoustic guitar and proceeds in a very lovely fashion that I would liken to a band called the Evergreen Trio who had a 7″ out on Rosewood Union (RIP) last year. It’s the drum machine that does it. Very very nice. A super versatile band this lot.
As with their CD, the production is rough and ready, vocals are high pitched and fun, and the whole thing falls together as something that I would recommend to, erm, well, you. And you. And you too. Go. Look!