Revisiting: The Grates - Gravity Won't Get You High

On this lazy Saturday morning, I decided to listen to the Grates first album, Gravity Won't Get You High, for the first time in years and am totally surprised by how good it still sounds. If you don't know the Grates they're a Brisbane band that girls who look at Etsy every day will probably like. The band (drummer, guitarist, singer, no bass - although the drummer has departed since the second album) specialise in joyous indie pop tunes that get caught in your head and are as catchy as whooping cough (oh the joys of caring for my niece and nephew).

There is a childlike glee to this album (which they subsequently over thought on their second record) but it isn't without edge - the song Feels Like Pain is a legitimate primal howl of anger. But for the most part, it doesn't get any deeper than simple rhymes and playful tunes. Gravity is a remarkably consistent listen across it's 14 songs and doesn't ask for anything more from the listener than to have fun with it. No one here is claiming the be the next Lou Reed and for a Saturday morning surrounded by kids painting pirates and ballerinas, it's the perfect accompaniment.

From their youtube page, I got directed to Facebook where they have the first single off their new album (although I hate having to 'like' something to hear a song). It actually sounds pretty good with some early Breeders type harmonies and a more restrained vibe than Gravity. I'll be curious to see how it turns out but if you're looking for a breezy, summery type of album for a change of pace, you won't get much better than Gravity Won't Get You High. Alright, back to Etsy for me...

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