Thursday, 21 November 2013

I Don't Want To Make You Happy, I Want To Make You Cry Review

The Grand
I Don’t Want To Make You Happy, I Want To Make You Cry


Since their previous single, Romance Is Dead, The Grand have been keeping themselves busy with local gigs, recording new material and, oh yeah, playing the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading and Leeds Festival. The alternative pop trio from Wakefield have really done some spectacular things this year, the latest of which is the creation of their new single I Don’t Want To Make You Happy, I Want To Make You Cry. Admittedly the title doesn’t sound very nice, but it’s as wordy as it is brilliant.

There is a tinge of The National/Gaslight Anthem influence, but if anything it sounds as though The Grand have simply drawn inspiration from themselves. They’ve ensured their trademark heavy bass riffs, catchy lyrics and sorrowful vocals are firmly engraved on the two tracks.

It is a genius blend of great musicianship and writing, with a powerful and sincere vocalist. The lyrics aren’t simply sung they are meant, and for me that is something that distinguishes The Grand from any other unsigned act of their genre. This meaning and authenticity that every word sung is also felt is what translates to and encapsulates the listener. For me, that’s pretty hard to come by.

All Of The Ocean is comparatively a much more sombre affair to both the title track and the songs on the previous single too. It assumes a moody, more intimate sound which provides a gorgeous, bare backdrop for those unique vocals to shine through.


Amy Walker


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