Review: “Whether Or Not You Know” by Grosh
Grosh is a high energy rock band from Buffalo, NY featuring Grace Lougen (guitar), Josh English (drums), Megan Brown (vocals), and Dylan Hund (bass). The band’s latest album, “Whether Or Not You Know,” was reviewed on Joe Tell’s Music Blog and is a guest post here on WNYMusic.com
“Whether Or Not You Know” blasts off with More To Life. After repeatedly playing the song I heard something extraordinary right away. Separating the speakers revealed some interesting sounds and a cool stereo mix during the intro of More To Life. I was also struck by the unique sound of Grace Lougen’s guitar. Grace plays the guitar with her fingers which results in an organic and very natural sound. Her finger style playing highlights her dynamic style and reveals a lot of natural harmonics and overtone sounds you wouldn’t hear from flatpicking guitarists’. The drum build up by Josh English brings in the high energy that defines More To Life. Megan Brown comes in on top of the fast pace accenting and accompanying the music with a singing style that is inherently appealing and intuitive in nature. Megan’s spirited and passionate voice packs plenty of emotional punch. The lyrics are powerful and grab the listener’s ear without taking away from the groove the band is putting down. After establishing the driving tempo the band slows down letting the music breathe. Thus allowing Dylan Hund to throw in some tasty fills on the bass and Megan to add some sweet vocal harmonies.
The quality continues with Every Time. Every Time features a brilliant drum track executed by Josh English. The drum sound is tight and punchy, Josh’s frantically fantastic playing weaves in and out of the musical pocket in creative waves. A duo of rhythm and lead guitar parts come in, each part complimenting the other. Megan’s melodic and breathy vocals sound sincere and as soon as she sings the word broken the band busts’ into a powerful, heavy groove that accents the lyric.
Rising Tide is up next. Rising Tide features Grace Lougen on a lead guitar tour de force. The song structure leaves plenty of room for some soulful lead guitar. The guitar solo builds up with a slow burn. A tasty slide guitar begins the solo in a bluesy fashion Grace then starts up with a few lead notes slowly getting faster, bringing up the energy along with the band. The solo bleeds in to the next verse of the song and continues on bringing the song to a close.
Whether or Not You Know rolls on with Roads Remember. Needless to say the lyrics tell a story about travelling and the memories we connect with the road. The guitar solo signals a transition as the band kicks the song into overdrive for the outro.
Lil’ Crazy, Refuse and I Bet You Did play out in an energy inducing order:
Lil’ Crazy is funky and tight. The rhythm section of Josh English and Dylan Hund jam on an infectious groove that is expertly punctuated by some great bass pops and slaps.
Refuse is a straight up hard rock song, from the aggressive guitar to the soaring vocals Grosh shows off yet another side of the band. The fast tempo is sure to get your blood flowing and your fists’ pumpin’. A spacy guitar solo with some awesome keyboards by Harry Graser contrasts’ perfectly with the quick verse music.
The previous two songs set up I Bet You Did perfectly. I Bet You Did would fit in nicely on any FM rock radio playlist. The first time I watched the music video for this song I became a fan of Grosh. I Bet You Did is a great, well composed rock song, the verse music and lyrics are strong and the chorus is catchy. Grosh really raises the bar and sets a new standard for all local musicians to follow with I Bet You Did.
Below is the video for I Bet You Did.
Astronaut is as titled, as a song about all things space. The mid tempo pace allows plenty of room for Megan Brown to fill up the heady groove with drifting harmonies. The keyboard track by Harry Graser serves to further the spacy track onward and upward.
Grosh shows off some impressive hard rock/metal chops with Something New. This track is similar to track 6 Refuse, but Something New is even more aggressive and metallic in style and performance. Josh English uplifts the energy and power even more with his drum pounding outro.
What Have I Done is a hard-driving rock song. Megan’s vocals are outstanding and Grace’s guitar playing is screaming with emotion. The ending is a classic bombastic rock and roll bang up.
Piece of Mind closes out Whether Or Not You Know in style complete with a hidden track. The feeling conveyed is melancholy and the drum track drives the song with a quickness that defies the ballad like sound. Megan’s vocals are breathy, beautiful and emotional. The violin track arranged by drummer Richie English and performed by Linnea Cremean and Allison Collins closes out Piece of Mind…but wait there’s more! A bonus track called Sweet Mama is great dose of rock and roll that serves the listener well as a going away present and a positive parting musical shot.
The quality production and the mix on Whether Or Not You Know is top notch and a pleasure to listen to. All of the songs on Whether Or Not You Know are very well orchestrated. The transitions between the melodies and the different parts of the songs are seamless, emphasizing the lyrical content. The songs highlight the creative talent and energy each member of the band possesses all the while showing how well the play together as a cohesive unit.
Website
https://groshband.com/home
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Grosh-323159498138470/
Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_7Y4RysAzDmB1DLOcQhbUg/featured
