Cheap Girls

Famous Graves

Written by: PP on 08/09/2014 23:15:32

Offering a slightly different take on the recently popularized Gaslight Anthem version of the art of classic American rock song, Cheap Girls have produced what is arguably their best work thus far on their fourth album "Famous Grave". It's a laid back album with warm and simplistic guitar melodies providing the platform for the brilliant pipes of Ian Graham, whose unique, melancholic crooning style feels like a cross between The Hold Steady's Craig Finn (who also provides guest vocals on "Man In Question") and Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder.

Quite some credentials, eh? It's good then that their songwriting follows suit. Opener "Slow Nod" immediately toys with the classic Americana sound, though with subtle punk undertones and infectiously catchy melodies that simply feel unique. "Amazing Grace" makes a case for one of the best alternative rock / punk hybrid songs of the year with its irresistible chorus that works due to a perfect balance between pop sensibilities and melancholic, nostalgic singing style and clever instrumentation to support. Similarly, "Pure Hate" is a great tune for the same reasons as Gaslight Anthem songs are great: it's unassuming, full of feeling, and upbeat while throwing in a great amount of soulful vocals in the process. Granted, Cheap Girls are slightly more punk oriented in their delivery and less mainstream rock radio oriented, thereby drawing closer parallels to bands like American Steel, Luther and Smoking Popes for their similarly subtle and laid-back songwriting style, but they are equally anthemic without needing to sound grand and theatrical. And that's one of the core strengths of "Famous Graves": the songs don't need to be over-inflated to echo across the soundscape to be good. Great songwriting often means you feel connected to the melody in a way that just feels natural. The songs here speak to the listener precisely in that way, and perhaps the best example is the high-pitched singing on "Splintered" that starts moving up and down in scale throughout the song to provide texture and an interesting, immediately grabbing lead melody.

Curiously enough, "Famous Grave" has been splitting reviewers left and right in the months following its release. Either people are considering it album of the year material or not worthy of your time at all. I'm leaning closer towards the former category personally, simply because of the sheer number of great songs on the album. The unusual vocal style of Graham may be a contributing factor to the latter, but really, once you give this record enough chances it will grow on you exponentially. Most importantly, "Famous Graves" is yet another great example of the variety found within the punk rock scene.

8

Download: Amazing Grace, Splintered, Slow Nod, Pure Hate
For the fans of: American Steel, Smoking Popes, The Gaslight Anthem, The Hold Steady, Luther
Listen: Facebook

Release date 13.05.2014
Xtra Mile Recordings

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