Grain USA - Billboard EP
(Disposable Pop Revolution)
And now for a little EP/single that's been sitting, un-listened, on my desk for over two months.
Grain USA make, ironically, disposable pop. Their music, for the most part, is incredibly pleasing, sweet-but-not-too-sweet guitar pop. It goes in one ear and out the other. Immediately after hearing the first song on this EP, "Billboard," I could not remember what it sounded like. Like, at all. Nothing stuck with me. The same went for the second song, "Always Right." In one ear and out the other. Completely.
Nevertheless, there is hope. The wistful closing track, "Washed Up," is the kind of ironically sad pop song that I really enjoy, and its driving melodies and vocal harmonies are really, wonderfully catchy and memorable. The problem with this EP is that the sequencing is all garbled: the last song should have been first, and so on. Another thumbs up for the band is their eye for aesthetics; the packaging is just beautiful. From the cover, which emulates a Billboard pop chart (ironic!), to the census form on the back (with statements like "It has a good beat and I can dance to it." and "These cats rock out!"), to the tiny pencil enclosed in the CD case itself (which I have to admit, is awesome), to the clear CD, the whole thing has a very professional and sumptuous appearance. Yes, I just said sumptuous.
So, is this EP worth your hard earned cash? I would say no. But are they worth your time and attention? That's a big yes.
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