GRAND - GRAND (Album Review)

GRAND is a new band from Stockholm Sweden. There is so much great music coming from Sweden these days. Mattias Olofsson handles lead vocals and is a pure tenor that can hit any high note he wants to. Jacob Svensson handles both lead and bass guitar as well as keyboards and backing vocals. Anton Martinez Matz plays drums and some bass as well. The sound of this band is pure 80's at the decade's most decadent period. Big syrapy keyboards and flamboyant choruses and instantly catchy hooks. It's a cross between Cutting Crew and Toto. These guys have a hardcore pop side to their music. It's actually really refreshing. It doesn't take more than few listens to be fully vested in this terrific upstart band.

"Caroline" is one of the best songs of 2022. It's lilting intro is followed by a slow but steady climb to a mountain of melody that creates an earworm that won't go away. Svensson's guitar fills and leads are tasteful, classy and loaded with texture. Olofsson soars on vocals to places that are typically reserved for classically trained singers. In a better time where great art was once respected, this song would be all over radio. It's too good to ignore. "Stone Cold" is the perfect 1988 top 40 radio tune with smart chord changes and lyrics that tell the story of non-responsive love. The song has a sweet ending on the chorus. These guys are just different. There's more evidence of their uniqueness on "Make It Grand" with it's Bon Jovi-lite sing-a-long hook while still maintaining the Grand scheme of things. 

"The Price We Pay" is a smooth west coast track that delicately ebbs and flows but with all the sticking power of anything else on this album. "Johnny On The Spot" kicks the rock up a few notches while retaining all of the glossy 80's goodness that makes this such a standout collection. High notes abound as Mattias is on the spot! "Those Were The Days" is a superb mid-tempo song that rides along the Pacific Coast Highway with bands like Toto and Sonic Station. The chorus rings out yet again. This band has no shortage of excellent songwriting moments. And all of the guitar breaks are ear candy. 

"Once In A Blue Moon" is an airy, gliding pop song with lush keyboards and guitar work that rides shotgun with the melody. You could fall in love with any of these songs. "Too Late" alternates between smooth and choppy late night hooks. A bit like Mike and The Mechanics or Mr. Mister. "After We Said Goodbye" begins with an 80's syn-drum. It will make you smile, because there is no mistaking this sound for any other decade. The song itself is a bit meloncholy but then transitions to a more triumphant melody. "Ready When You Are" is a stripped down rocker with more guitars and less keyboards. It's more early 80's than the other tracks but is still very effective in it's approach. It almost sounds Pat Benatar-ish. "Anything For You" is a beautiful ballad in the tradition of Alias or REO Speedwagon. It's a big and satisfying way to wrap up this 11 song album. 

This is such a well written and arranged bunch of songs that you'll be hitting repeat play over and over. The vocal parts are lush and clean. The production is smooth and precise. There aren't records being made like this one anymore. GRAND hits a grand slam with their debut. This is just awesome music that echoes a time when life was better and the world made sense.

Album Rating 9.9