Quick Take: Grand Avenue – Place To Fall
Place To Fall, Grand Avenue's latest album, dropped on September, 28th. They're a band I want to succeed if only because there are tons out there that have succeeded without being nearly as good. I suspect that if they were from the New York, Los Angeles, London, or Manchester more people would be aware of the band.
Place To Fall
On their last go around - The Outside - Grand Avenue focused on memorable hooks and lyrics that resonated with teenage girls. In the annals of pop that's a formula with a track record. Another part of that formula is radio and video rotation, touring, and product placement (movie or television). I think they got a song on a TV show - but what indie band doesn't get one now?
I guess that didn't work out for them because I didn't see any world tours with Grand Avenue as the headliner.
I've got no great expectations
I've got no plans or place to fall
Although taken from the last album, the sentiment fits the mood of Place to Fall. This album isn't focused on hooks - they're there but not the raison d'être. "Almost Gone" the first single and first song off the album is good - a good "pump yourself up" song. As a single it got me excited. I wasn't impressed with the other songs at first listen. I'll tell you though, I kept on listening and the album grows. I won't say they sound like nothing you've ever heard before. They've channeled New Order, U2, and INXS but Grand Avenue does have a voice and you can hear it throughout.
Place To Fall is an 7 out of 10. It's an above average work by a talented group of craftsmen. It's not a great album but how many great albums can there be before the word loses meaning? It is a good listen however. "Follow You Down" can easily be envisioned in some teen coming of age movie. "Waiting For The World" sounds like they got Joe Sumner of Fiction Plane to make an appearance. "These Days" is a good rocking tune - a strut your stuff affair.
If you get it I recommend listening someplace where you'd have a hard time changing it - in the gym on a treadmill or out cycling somewhere. You'll appreciate the advice and hopefully you'll better enjoy this latest effort from Denmark's Grand Avenue.