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Grand Old Grizzly Grand Old Grizzly Review by Gary Hill This is Americana. That’s the best description. However, within that definition there is some range. At times it’s very country in style. Other songs are more modern alternative rock oriented. Roots rock and rockabilly along with bluegrass all make appearances here in terms of the sound palate. Overall it’s a diverse and entertaining set. It should be noted that quite a few songs here earn parental advisories in terms of the lyrical content. This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2013 Volume 5 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review

The Mad Ones There is a lot of energy to this one. It’s a great rocker with some killer Americana in the mix. Clearly comparisons to Tom Petty are relevant here.

The Sundowners Energized bluegrass is heard on this cut. It’s almost like Bob Dylan meets the Grateful Dead and some old school bluegrass.

Indecision This is even better than the two openers. There’s a great country folk edge to the piece. Yet it’s got a modern edge to it, too. I like this one a lot. There’s a real down home charm to it.

Morning Although there is plenty of energy to this tune, it’s rather stripped down. It gets one of the most blatant parental advisories in terms of lyrics. It’s also a fun song that’s one of the better ones here.

Tallahassee More electrified (in terms of both instrumentation and “oomph”), this one really makes me think of The Grateful Dead quite a bit. It’s got a modern edge to it, too, though. The vocal arrangement here is among the best of the set. This is an accessible tune.

I Was Thinkin' Although the retro elements are still here, this is more of a modern alternative pop tune. It’s fun.

Marvelistic Coward Band An energized folk rock tune, this is another strong piece. It’s quite effective.

Approaching Cars There is some country and a lot of folk in the mix on this cut. It’s one of the more complex pieces here. It’s also one of the cooler ones. It might be rather understated in some ways, but it’s also one of the highlights of the set.

Lament Americana based on both country and folk makes up the basic motif here. This is a good tune, but arguably not one of the best.

Pretty Little Head More of a modern alternative rock meets singer/songwriter Americana sound pervades this one. It’s good, but not really a standout. That said, it does present some nice variety.

Desperate Times Set in the same kind of motif as the previous cut, this one is a bit stronger than that, even if a little more understated. I like it a lot.

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