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This quartet who call Brooklyn home are not what one would expect from the borough’s “indie scene”; rather, they’ve got their own interesting thing happening.  Girls On Grass’ debut album, eponymously titled, is ripe with crisp riffs, twangy guitars, a delicious production/sound that mixes country and power pop in a way I haven’t heard and enjoyed in years.

In a lot of ways, singer/guitarist Barbara Endes’ vocals remind me of Vicki Peterson of The Bangles/Continental Drifters, which is a big part of their appeal and the harmonies don’t sound too far off from The Bangles’ trail.  Opening with “Father Says Why”, you instantly get a chill from those first guitar licks and the rhythm section kicking in with an almost ’60’s vibe; “Too Young” is a tongue-in-cheek rave up, mixing Bo Diddley rhythms at the outset, countrified riffs and a strident rhythm (the rhythm section of drummer Nancy Polstein and bassist Dave Mandl is a joy to listen to); “What They Wrought” is slower, brooding – a country-style ballad with semi-psychedelic riffing for good (very good) measure and “Drowning In Ego” is definitely a rodeo stomp/thrash.  “Return To Earth” is a very ’60’s sounding piece, reminding me of Neil Young or (decades later) something from The Rain Parade’s Crashing Dream; “How Does It Feel?” would be right at home in a honkytonk and “One Of The Guys” has shades of soul in it; a slowed down track that could have been cut in Memphis.

It’s evident that a great deal of care went into crafting this album and Girls On Grass have succeeded in making an unforgettable debut.  Melodic, strong, cohesive and just damn good – the perfect hybrid of rock & roll, country and pop.  Serious kudos goes to Girls On Grass for coming out of the dugout and swinging for the fences – they connected.  Quite solidly.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Girls On Grass’ debut album is available now

https://girlsongrass.bandcamp.com/

About the Author

Rob Ross

Rob Ross has been, for good, bad or indifferent, involved in the music industry for over 30 years - first as guitarist/singer/songwriter with The Punch Line, then as freelance journalist, producer and manager to working for independent and major record labels. He resides in Staten Island, New York with his wife and cats; he works out a lot, reads voraciously, loves Big Star and his orange Gretsch. Doesn't that make him neat?

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