Grand Street Cryers Steady on Shaky Ground Rhythmic Records

For ordering information visit the band's web site at http://www.cryers.com

Jangly, catchy pop tunes seem to saturate radio airwaves these days, one after another filling the vortex of empty space between big label record companies and eager bop hungry consumers. Enter independently produced, cross-genre Dallas country rockers Grand Street Cryers. Though not competing with the Hanson brothers for the hearts of ravenous teenage mall shoppers across the country, frontman Tim Locke and company are definitely on to something. Their once niche alterna-country market is quickly making friends with the mainstream radio-friendly format. The Grand Street Cryers rose from the ashes of two relatively successful Dallas grunge bands. Stranded band members merged together in the interest of music, united through a vision to pursue a new direction, a low intensity style of folk-rock . Essentially, they wanted to be anti-grunge, rebelling against another hip for the moment cultural institution, perhaps after noticing how quickly Seattle is lost its charm with the popular crowd. A few months passed and the band attracted a great deal of attention after "Angie Wood" hit the north Texas airwaves on a lucky break from a radio station programming director, one who has a reputation for breaking new bands. Amidst the confusion of overnight local success, the Grand Street Cryers headed to Los Angeles to record a debut album under the guidance of former Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers drummer Stan Lynch. Steady On Shaky Ground is the product of that three-week experience, and certainly reveals the versatile styles incorporated through the contributions of each individual band member. The Cryers want to create a sound reminiscent of early U2 or REM, but they actually fall somewhere between the Gin Blossoms and Grant Lee Buffalo. The album kicks off with "Blue Skies," which recalls the latest "alternative country" label assigned to so many southern grassroots acts like Son Volt and Todd Snider. The following tune "Any City," seems a pious acknowledgement of some Texas country influences with a heavy foot on the pedal steel. Though hit "Angie Wood" is toned down for album production, the song still proves that Grand Street Cryers can rock with the best of them, mastering the art of a hummable, catchy refrain. "Waiting for the One" emphasizes Tim Lynch's vocals, which have a mournful quality much like Austinite Shane Cannedy or Grant Lee Buffalo. "Don't Hang Yourself" offers an infectious, and sometimes laughable tribute to a rich honky tonk songcrafting. Still other tracks offer compelling melodies and sweet harmonies. The final track, a solo acoustic tune penned by lead singer Tim Lynch, echoes a touching singer/songwriter sentimentality. Together on one album, the combination of tunes genuinely reflects a real talent for versatility. With few footsteps in which to follow, the Grand Street Cryers are creatively attacking the music industry with a countrified rock hybridization. Don't be surprised to find them as the great sleeper hit of 1998. -AC

[Read the rest of CISUM REVIEW in frames] [Back to Contents]

�