This is the fifth album by Boston-based The Grand Undoing, a band which is more like one man, lead vocalist, bassist, guitarist, and songwriter Seth Goodman, and assorted guests. This time around he has been assisted by Ted Powers, who assisted with production, keyboards, guitar, and backing vocals while also present was Keith Jacques (guitar, backing vocals), Kurt Johnson (pedal steel, guitar). There are two drummers in Dave Westner and the incomparable Dave Mattacks, who may feel is one of the ultimate session musicians who has played with the likes of Paul McCartney, but for me will always be the man providing the complex foundations for Fairport Convention (I loved Gerry Conway, a really nice guy, but always felt he was somewhat “filling in”).
This is power pop which feels very rooted in the Eighties which has been combined with some touches of psychedelia. His baritone vocal style may be very different to Jeremy Morris, but in many ways his music reminds me somewhat of him. The result is a very pleasant album, but it is rarely more than that as the pace seems somewhat pedestrian at times, and while it is interesting when it is being played there is little which sticks in the memory. However, I must admit that the more I listened to this the more I enjoyed it, and it is certainly not an album which can be appreciated the first time it is played as although it can be somewhat simplistic with a “what you hear is what you get” approach, there is something about the melodies which keep dragging you back for me. There are different styles on show, with pedal steel not on every song, and different guitarists/drummers bringing in their own nuances, but Seth’s vocals are at the heart of everything which keeps it all locked together. It may not be essential but there is a lot of fun at play. 6/10 By Kev Rowland
