Grace Solero - Hundred years Apart

****1/2

An album full of razorblades and emotion!!!

I love this album, I only heard it for the first time yesterday. From the opening track 'Riptide' it picked me up and carried along like logs on a fast flowing river, over rapids, onto rocks, temporarily submerged and then released onto an expanse of calm. Only for the whole process to start all over again. The aforementioned 'Riptide' sounding like Skin (Skunk Anansie) with unfinished business moves on to 'Electro' with urgent, pleading riffs with subtle vibe of Alanis Morrisette topped with what I can only interpret as galaesque vocal endurance.

You can watch the video for this track at the bottom of the page. On we go through with 'We don't Wanna' through to 'St Ives' with a hip thrusty hypnotic baseline that forces the arms up in a gesture of divination. Once again everything starts quietly with Pizzicato guitar and bass slurring and then builds to crescendo, a bit like having your nipple tickled with a feather and then just when you are lulled into a false sense of security having it then twisted with urgency between thumb and forefinger.

'Unless' meanders along like Alanis from 'Jagged little Pill' which I personally really like. 'Circles' well that's interval training for the brain, quick bursts of sound with an artfully placed twang that get you running up that hill in your head. This is followed by flat melodious breathers before going onto the brilliant 'Falling Down' which I love the vocals on. 'The Women by the River' is a slower acoustic track with a Folky feel to it, I am reminded of Lisa Marie Presley on the album 'To whom it may Concern'. And the final track 'Eternal Love' is Greek in feeling in places, Operatic in others, That's the Diamanda Galas vibe nailing it's presence to the walls in your head.

The more I listen the more I get out of this album. It is Grungy bitter sweet Rock 'n' Roll with razorblades caked in honey overtones that I'd listen to in the car and in the bath or when I go on a country walk in the depths of an alcohol fueled stupor. This album would work for me anywhere!!. I have only just got into Grace Solero and I already into them and really like this album. So I don't care if this is not for everyone because it's really for me.​

Review by Claudia Black

Check Out! the Video for 'Electro' Below...