Released by: Heavy Psych Sounds

Genre: Classic Heavy Rock

Links: https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYPSYCHSOUNDS/

Line Up:

Adam Kriney – Drums & Lead Vocals
Michael Rafalowich – Guitar & Lead Vocals
Frank Caira – Bass & Backing vocals

Tracklist:

1. Howlin
2. Springtime On Stanwoods
3. Island In Your Head
4. 100 Arrows
5. Not Without Its Charm
6. The Answers Never Know
7. Peculiar Situation

Life Is Much Stranger is the 4^th album of the New York based band THE GOLDEN GRASS. This band is formed around Adam Kriney-drums/vocals (of LA OTRACINA/ZONED OUT/DEAD TAPE and tour member of NEBULA/CULT OF YOUTH/CASTANETS/CLOUDLAND CANYON), Michael Rafalowich-electric guitar/vocals (of STRANGE HAZE/WHOOPING CRANE and tour member of TAV FALCO’S PANTHER BURNS) and Frank Caira-electric bass/vocals (of THE ABOVE). Together this 3-piece band recorded a true authentic 70s classic rock record that is a must-have for anyone into obscure 70s rock and roll. Here and there the material is a little commercial (70s KISS, STARZ), but in a good way, and it’s a joy to listen to this album from start to finish, because THE GOLDEN GRASS absolutely delivers a masterpiece with this album Life Is Much Stranger. Especially the splatter vinyl edition looks amazing and thankfully the included music is as authentic as possible in its glorious 70s rock/classic rock passion.

The album opens with Howlin, a lovely 70s melodic rocking piece that has cool tempo changes, a great soaring guitar solo and a catchy chorus, melting SABBATH, KISS, STARZ, THIN LIZZY, LEGS DIAMOND and BUDGIE quite perfectly. Its quite a long song as well, but shining from start to finish in all its 70s rocking craziness! Springtime On Stanwoods follows in a more straight-ahead direction, with KISS and VAN HALEN influences during the anthemic chorus. Closing Side-A is Island In Your Head, a nice uptempo tune with a B.O.C. meets MAX WEBSTER kinda progrocking touch.

Side-B starts with the rather catchy early 80s NWOBHM ish uptempo melodic heavy rocker 100 Arrows, which has a deadly catchy guitar riff (ANGEL WITCH/SAXON style) and a strong melodic chorus. Not Without Its Charm is groovier and slower, heading more into a pure 70s classic rock direction, somehow reminding me of STARZ during the catchy melodic chorus. However, the absolute highlight on Side-B is the superb pure 70s melodic rock and roll piece The Answers Never Know, which sounds like it was recorded 50 years ago, and again I have a STARZ meets BLUE OYSTER CULT kinda feeling, especially due to the sensational catchy melodic chorus. You can’t get any closer to pure authentic 70s hardrock than on this song, and the guitarsolos are absolutely stunning! The album finishes with the groovy rocker A Peculiar Situation, which has a LED ZEPPELIN, BLACK SABBATH and BUDGIE kinda mix going on.

Concluded, if you like your music to sound like the classic 70s rock/hardrock of aforementioned bands, with a touch of early 80s NWOBHM, then look no further than this wonderful new album of THE GOLDEN GRASS.

Written by: Gabor Kleinbloesem