If you’re looking for classic hard rock with that Seventies spirit done right, “Life Is Much Stranger“, the new album from NYC heavy rock trio THE GOLDEN GRASS is what you need. At first listen it’s obvious the goal of the group is to connect the dots between their influences to give life to a new artistic vision that synergizes them together like a warm blanket, not to mention a healthy dose of good taste.
The Golden Grass are able to conceptualize and materialize music in such a particular way that it screams timelessly from long ago, but could only happen in this very moment. “Life Is Much Stranger” is an amalgamation of hard rock boogie, progressive, some psychedelic exploration and incendiary proto-metal all bursting with soulful harmony-layered vocals, masterful instrumental technicality, and melody.
Bright bluesy chords and spirited drumming kick into gear with the aptly titled Howlin. Guitarist and lead vocalist Michael Rafalowich greatly enjoys playing ‘talkative’ leads that add just as much of a voice to the rest of the band’s vocal line-up. It’s a great rocker to open the album. The much crunchier follow up Springtime On Stanwoods is a perfect driving track, featuring some very lively lead guitar in the tradition of Thin Lizzy coupled against tongue-in-cheek lyrics warning of a lady that’s up to no good; ‘Well you should have known better / She’s a bad go-getter’.
Island In Your Head has a bit of a later ‘70s styling of chugging riffs, while 100 Arrows is a high-octane diesel engine affair, with Rafalowich ending the track with some wonderfully reverb’d guitar soloing and bright chord voicings.
The Answers Never Know recalls KISS’ better Hotter Than Hell period, with strong dynamics and interplay between the three band member vocals. The final track, A Peculiar Situation, opens with a somewhat dark riff before rollicking back into the good times with aplomb.
All tracks are remarkably consistent. They are generally not content to stick with one or two guitar parts and instead traverse peaks and valleys to give a real sense of depth and dynamism. Perhaps the only possible downside is that there are no ballads (for some rabid rockers, this is a good thing), and I only say this because I think The Golden Grass boys could pull off a very nice one.
”Life Is Much Stranger” is a ray of sunshine for a dark time. THE GOLDEN GRASS certainly do their hometown proud and have put out a deeply satisfying vintage hard rock excursion without sounding even remotely contrived or pretentious.
Highly recommended for those who pine for the days of huge sideburns and neckerchiefs.
Tracklist:
01. Howlin (06:03)
02. Springtime on Stanwoods (04:55)
03. Island In Your Head (05:34)
04. 100 Arrows (04:27)
05. Not Without It's Charm (05:14)
06. The Answers Never Know (05:30)
07. A Peculiar Situation (05:49)
The Golden Grass – Life Is Much Stranger (2023)+FLAC
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A full THE GOLDEN GRASS discography would be cool!