Grand Atlantic: How We Survive (Chicago, come see them Tuesday night at Martyrs)

Coast Is Clear mp3 Grand Atlantic, How We Survive ….. buy it (that’s an itunes link, FYI)

She’s A Dreamer mp3

Tuesday rapidly approaches and I’m wildly excited about Grand Atlantic coming to play for us here in Chicago. Their 2009 release, How We Survive has enjoyed a lot of blogger love. It will soon explode onto the U.S. music scene and begin to enjoy a whole lot more. Grand Atlantic have found their groove; they’ve crafted the perfect combination of hooks, riffs and at times, wistful vocals to woo audiences across this country. Their current tour is proving just that. And toward the end of this month thousands will hear it confirmed at SXSW. You will be convinced of what this blogger already knows: Grand Atlantic is on an unstoppable ride in one direction and that direction is most certainly UP.

How We Survive is rife with memorable melodies that hearken back to some of the great tunes of the Monkees or some of the early work of REM (“Last Train to Clarksville” is a song that I can easily see this band coming up with.) But far from being a cover band, Grand Atlantic weaves keen lyrics into musically complex songs that somehow retain a real accessibility. At just the right time, horns emerge in the title track, “How We Survive” and then quickly disappear. Twelve tracks give a good view of the wide talent this quartet holds. Backing harmonies are melodic and thoughtfully placed in songs that range in style from gritty garage rock to pure pop. Morgan Hann and Phil Usher handle some mean guitars on “Holding Pattern,”and “These Are The Times,” especially, taking short moments to show some flair. Throughout this record, Usher’s vocals range from pure good rock-n-roll cockiness to a more sensitive,  acoustic-style rasp; it’s just all good. And then, the last song, “Don’t Say Goodnight” brings it all down to a rather sweet, lullabye-like ending. As How We Survive finds a home with indie audiences in the US  Grand Atlantic is here to give it a face. Watch out for this up and coming band. You heard it here first. xoxo

Tracklist

Coast Is Clear

Tripwires

She’s A Dreamer

Freeway

How We Survive.

Used To Be the Sensitive Type

Just Another Ghost Town

Hit N Run / So Cold

Holding Pattern

These Are the Times

Don’t Say Goodnight

SXSW SHOWS

Thu Mar 18, 2010:

Sonny’s Vintage – 2928 Guadalupe St Austin, TX

Underground SXSW showcase

Show starts at 1:00pm

Free concert

Thu Mar 18, 2010:

Official SXSW Showcase

Red 7 – 611 E 7th St Austin, TX

Sat Mar 20, 2010:

Maggie Mae’s – 323 East 6th Street Austin, TX

Sounds Australia Day Party, SXSW

Show starts at 3:00pm

Free concert

Tripwires from Grand Atlantic on Vimeo.