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Indie
Rock Show Review
by Sonia V.
Gretchen
"In The Mean Time" (2005)
Gretchen kicks everyone
else's butt. I could stop there and just let that be the review and
it would be enough said. But let me elaborate a little more
descriptively for those needing cerebral stimulation or those needing an
education in girl fronted rock bands.
When I first heard of Gretchen, it was many years ago and I still have the
same opinion about the bottom line of this girl fronted "Rock Band"
as I did then.
Let me say that when it comes to defining true female fronted Rock Bands,
others pale in comparison and Gretchen sets the standard of "Chick Rockness". Forget all those other Sunday School singers the industry
is trying to pass off as rockers. They appeal to the tame at heart who would probably think Hillary Duff is one bad
to the bone rock chick.
"In The Mean Time" is one of the strongest and most solid rock CD's out this year.
Gretchen's brand of rock is as close to the real definition of the word
"rock" you can get, and even
fronted by it's dreadlocked blonde bombshell, Mia Richards would beat
most of the male fronted bands topping the radio charts lately with
her power packed vocals, originality, attitude and musicianship. This CD has a much harder
bite for those who are desperate for something real, hard edged,
non-manufactured and will satisfy those who are tired of the industry's
wanna-be-a-rockstar-born-yesterday-pre-schoolers that have 3 mixes of
their latest lullaby topping every chart simply because they're the new
flavor of the month under 18. If I sound a bit jaded or harsh, you've
misunderstood. If you're following me about now, pat yourself on the
back for having a clue about what real rock music sounds like.
Gretchen brings a hint of 80's rock flavor into modern-day music with guitar
arrangements reminiscent of bands like Stryper, Poison, Motley Crue & Guns
& Roses without being a complete throw-back to the era. Mix that
with the
attitude of Grace Slick, Janis Joplin and Anne Wilson that is missing in today's female
chick rockers, and you've got yourself one of the most impressive chick fronted
bands in today's rock music scene.
Hot trax are recent radio releases "Passion" of which Brad Noah of
Disciple lends his fancy fingerwork, and "Fading" that has only
a slight Evanesence feel to the songwriting's melody line and chord structure but
with more raw edge and credibility with it's originality. But don't compare Gretchen to Evanesence in any way.
The vocals by Mia will blow Amy Lee away like the big bad wolf. I've
heard Amy Lee sing live and she sounds like a dieing cat at best -
clearly, modern production is a crutch on the studio album. Why
several female vocalists in the industry would want to emulate their music
after her screeching is beyond my comprehension. Let's try being
original - oh, I forgot, that doesn't sell well.
Gretchen has no problem being original, but will listeners and
consumers as well as radio stations have half a brain to catch on and
allow this extraordinary rock band it's rightful place on the rock charts
above Sweet Susie Sunshine?
The excellent production by Travis Wyrick coupled by the exceptional
combination
of Mia, Dave & Stephen bring about one of the most well-rounded rock
offerings in both Christian and secular music. From hard edged
energy to the passionate and genuine emotion conveyed in ballads like "Let
it Go" and "Know You", these expert rockers outshine many of the posers in
the rock music scene who wouldn't make it past the first round of American
Idol.
Wanna rock? Check
out Gretchen at
www.gretchenland.com
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