Sunday, March 12, 2023

Musings: The Golden Grass - Life Is Much Stranger

New York’s The Golden Grass are set to release their fourth LP, Life Is Much Stranger, on April 7th via Italian label Heavy Psych Sounds Records. The trio delivers a perfect concoction of classic rock, boogie, bluesy prog rock, and southern hard rock with this new album. Conceived on the heels of three years of pandemic, this record represents a means of catharsis for the band.

After perusing their discography, it’s easy to see (and hear) that this band knows their stuff when it comes to music. One thing that seems to get lost in the shuffle nowadays is the art of writing catchy lyrics and melodies. Even a lot of bands I love write great songs, but they’re not that catchy, and that’s okay too. But sometimes it’s fun to listen to an album that’s chock-full of catchy choruses that make you wanna sing along or roll the windows of your car down to blast a tune for the whole neighbourhood to hear. The Golden Grass excel at penning catchy songs. Right off the bat, the first single, “Howlin”, has a trademark ‘70s classic rock riff and you know you’re in for a good time. “Springtime on Stanwoods” is a more laid-back, memorable tune that reminded me a lot of Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s style. “Island in Your Head” is comfort food with its chill vibe and great guitar tone. “100 Arrows” is a faster rock number, and quite possibly my favourite track on here, with a super catchy chorus. “Not Without Its Charm” has plenty of charm, a terrific contemplative song that steers us toward a tune to bop your head to with “The Answers Never Know”, a largely instrumental standout track. Song number 7 which ties directly into the album’s title, “A Peculiar Situation”, takes us out. Its infectious riff and lyrical structure come full circle in solidifying the band’s sound.

The Golden Grass does authentic ‘70s style hard rock like no other band does. Fans of Blue Cheer, BTO, Captain Beyond, and Traffic will particularly dig Life Is Much Stranger. Classic rock is alive and well in 2023; Love Gang got things off the ground earlier this year with Meanstreak and The Golden Grass keeps the ball rolling. I’m really enjoying this trend of retro rock that’s been going on for a few years now. More please—it’s a nice change of pace from the hundreds of new stoner rock bands that pop up yearly. Life Is Much Stranger comes highly recommended from your friendly Harbinger of Doom.

Heavy Psych Sounds’ The Golden Grass Bandcamp page: https://heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-golden-grass-life-is-much-stranger

The Golden Grass on Bandcamp: https://thegoldengrass.bandcamp.com/ 

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