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The Grates are like kryptonite to Superman – with the kryptonite being The Grates and Superman being normal mainstream music.
Let’s start out with the band’s CD cover, a mixture of symbols, designs and a giraffe thrown in for good measure. The CD title, Gravity Won’t Get You High, is unique as well. Open up the front cover and you are in for more surprises. Needless to say, these musicians are some of the most creative people in the best possible way.
Hailing from Brisbane, Australia, The Grates are just starting down the road to stardom and already have a large fan base.
Pop this CD in and from the first track, a scratchy old record sounding track, you know you are in for something different. Patience Hodgson, the lead singer, brings her unique vocals to the group and defines the band’s unique sound.
The tracks that stand out are “Science is Golden” and “Inside Outside.” But this is entirely subjective; there is something for everyone in this CD. These two songs are the band’s ticket to fame. If you listen to any one song on the album, it would be one of these. When you’re playing either of them in your car, roll down the windows and head bang, while scaring the daylights out of the people next to your car at the intersection. These songs are energetic and fast paced with lyrics that are easy to sing.
“Science is Golden” is a good example of the band’s versatility that combines a great beat with actual clapping that makes you want to get into the song and clap along.
“Nothing Sir” is one of the most unique songs on the album. The gist of the song is the story of a girl who uses her hair dryer to blow the grey clouds away. I dare anyone to name one other song that uses a story even remotely the same as that. The song starts out with a piano solo that continues for most of the song.
The strange-topic songs are mixed in with some more upbeat, sing-along songs that provide a refreshing change of pace. The CD’s tone changes once again with the last track, “I Am Siam.” This is a slow, melodious song and it is noticeably different from anything else on the album. The song is soothing and leaves you in a calm but happy state at the end of the CD. If you are one of those people who complain nonstop that mainstream music is sounding all the same, then look no further. Gravity Won’t Get You High has something for everyone with its completely unique style.
