Grass

Rogue Waves

BY Sheena LyonnaisPublished Sep 27, 2009

Canada's response to the Beatles comes in the form of Nova Scotia's the Grass, unfortunately 40 years too late. But the decades passed don't stop this five-piece from tearing into 12 psychedelic rock tracks on fourth full-length album Rogue Waves. While it's clear they draw influences from a variety of sources, including early Rolling Stones, the pop sensibilities found on "Casino Taxi" and "Ballad of Davey Jones" give this record more of a toned-down Brit rock feel. Husky vocals and a cigarette swagger, combined with brass and piano additions, show the band filling out in areas that previous sounded a little too light and slightly cookie-cutter '60s. While psychedelia is clearly their heaviest influence the album is peppered with welcome elements of country, blues and cowbells. Sometimes the lyrics are a little lame, however. Example: "Superserum #4" begins with, "I was trying to jack off." Not quite as subtle as their idols but otherwise this record is good fun.
(Independent)

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