CD review: The Grove Keeps Growing
Date 11/16/2000 12:00 AM | Topic: Arts & CultureWith their third album, 6 Mile Grove demonstrates that you can have an electronic keyboard on a record and not have to dress up like a 'Flock of Seagulls.' While one can trust that bangle bracelets will not come back in fashion after listening to Friction, one familiar with Grove's music can trust that this edgy-pop album is an indication of where their potential can take them, though they haven't reached it yet.
It's a good thing they're strong instrumentalists because Brandon Sampson's ('98) vocals and lyrics lack emotion and the ability to evoke emotion. Work in a bit more energy and soul and he could reach 'Barenaked Ladies' Steven Page's vocal quality. As it stands, Brandon could afford to put more expression and passion into his singing.
Brian Sampson ('01) sets an energetic pace in "Homewreckers," consistently driving the song forward through its duration and muscles some heavy beats in "She Waits," but some change-ups in percussion would benefit the album overall.
"In My Head" begins with an impressive guitar intro, but the rest of the instruments blur into a rock-pop fuzz until a promising but brief keyboard interlude by Barry Nelson ('01) wakes up listeners toward the end of the track.
Grove scores on harmony, and bassist Dezi Wallace threads a bass line throughout the album, providing a strong foundation for the rest of the musicians.
The best song on the album is "Argument Song," a ballad that evokes tenderness through instrumentation and vocals. It is a song in which Brandon's voice glides strongly and Barry offers a pleasant keyboard solo, making the song varied in structure and sound.
It's a good, but pretty two-dimensional album. The instruments are good talkers, but need to become conversationalists. Because the songs sound so much alike, I don't find any one song catchier than the others.
At the end of the CD, one feels they've only been able to achieve a certain degree of absorption in the music, but the obvious talent in this band assures a high level of stylistic maturity and sophistication in the future.
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Amy T. Domaszek
Chips News Co-Editor
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