The Grand Undoing – Songs for the Sleeping
An interesting-sounding band with a warm vocal lead rather than an aggressive offering or a high-pitched warble. Some lesser-known bands from the past had this rich vocal allure – Jon Cole of The Movies (“Must Be The Angel”), Colour Radio (“Bound For Life”) & most intensely Steve Swindells.
There are 9 Songs for the Sleeping (Drops March 14/Secret Candy Rock Records/41:00) performed by the Boston-based band, produced by Seth Goodman (vocals/bass/keys/percussion) & Ted Powers (vocals/keys/guitar/percussion).
There are good tunes that dominate the showcase (“Sing a New Morning,” “Creature”) & the group uses a synth-type sound liberally rather than as an effect. Personally, I think the songs would work better without that electronic additive. The Steve Swindells vocal tone & lyrical similarities are strongly evident on “Creature,” & “The Knowing,” but The Grand Undoing seems a little more poised in vocal intonation than Swindells, who can be intense. Their singing is articulate & captured well between the instrumentation. While not quite progressive rock or alternative, they straddle a pop confection through their expressive music with a generous dose of whiskey.
Their set is entertaining & not overwhelming. They’re skillful, with well-arranged pieces & they’re consistently easy on their ears. Some listeners will find the vocals a pleasant alternative to the basic rock voices that permeate the modern airwaves, while others will find it too distinguished. Well, not everything needs to be sloppy. The enunciation isn’t as aggressive as The Who’s Roger Daltrey, as bluesy as a Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones), or as American as Jim Morrison (The Doors). But for a variable voice, it has a fine identity as a rock voice & a ballad interpreter (“The Sun Is Stranger” & “Aventurine”). Steve Swindell’s tonality is unmistakable.
I found this album satisfying & unified. I appreciate a vocal that doesn’t follow the path of hair-band rock styles, or grungy, anxiety-ridden, crybaby pathos. These vocals have a formal finish, serene & still hold to a moderate authority in their excellent projection (“Savior”). The other lesser songs still have a limited appeal. The songwriting is well-balanced & fortunately seldom cliché-filled or trite. Musically, there’s lots of variety in the sound. Not necessarily an acquired taste, but, as I said earlier, it’s an interesting-sounding band. A pastry with some rum in it. Yes.
Highlights – “Sing a New Morning,” “Creature,” “The Knowing,” “The Sun Is Stranger,” “Aventurine, “Savior,” & “Now I’m Going Home.”
Musicians –Kurt Johnson (pedal steel/guitar/keys/lap steel), Keith Jaques (vocals/guitar/sitar/percussion), Dave Westner (drums/percussion), Dave Mattacks (drums/piano), Andy Plaistead (drums), Pete Donnelly & Pete Hayes (percussion/bgv) & Peter Bloom (flute).
Color image courtesy of Hemifran. CD @ https://thegrandundoing.com/ & https://www.hemifran.com/news/detail/n/2212/The%20Grand%20Undoing/Songs%20For%20The%20Sleeping/