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Golden Grass, The: Coming Back Again
 Those who follow SoT pretty closely might remember me gushing about the self-titled release from Brooklyn, New York based band The Golden Grass a few years back, which was easily one of the highlights from the always impressive Svart Records roster in 2014. The band now find themselves on Listenable Records for their follow-up, titled Coming Back Again, and the trio of Michael 'Professor Plum Brandy' Rafalowich (guitar, lead vocals), Adam "Adzo' Kriney (drums, lead vocals), and Frank 'The Fireball' Caira (bass) are once again firing on all cylinders here, delivering their lively brand of '70s styled hard rock mixed with some psychedelia and Southern rock for good measure.
Listing influences such as Grand Funk Railroad, The James Gang, The Allman Brothers, Budgie, Blackfoot, Blue Cheer, The Move, and the Pretty Things, it's not hard to get swept up in the soulful, groove-laden yet heavy sounds that The Golden Grass have created here. Kick off track "Get it Together" has plenty of meaty riffs, addicting grooves, and those great two-part vocals harmonies, and both it and the following track "Reflections in the Grass" could have easily been a long lost tunes from any of Grand Funk's first few releases. "Shadow Traveler" rocks a bit harder and adds a bluesier element, like a midnight jam between Black Sabbath and Cactus, and contains some sizzling guitar riffs, harmonica, and wild drumming. The bluesy, acoustic guitar ditty "Hazy Daybreak" leads into the near 10-minute "Down the Line", a snarling, nasty hard rocker with plenty of atmospheric psych elements, and "See it Through" crawls with the bluesy proto-metal style of Cream of Mountain, guitar & bass battling it out over infectious grooves and catchy dual vocals.
Coming Back Again is so much fun, a hard rocking retro ride that any fan of the classic heavy acts of the late '60s and early '70s will certainly fall head over heels for. Spread the word, The Golden Grass are the real deal, and this is some mandatory listening right here.
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
1) Get it Together
2) Reflections in the Grass
3) Shadow Traveler
4) Hazy Daybreak
5) Down the Line
6) See it Through
Added: June 12th 2016
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score: 
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 2143
Language: english
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Golden Grass, The: Coming Back Again
Posted by Steven Reid, SoT Staff Writer on 2016-06-11 19:50:01
My Score: 
Expectation is a funny thing, the high praise above from my friend and colleague Peter Pardo, alongside the gushing praise from another trusted friend regarding The Golden Grass enough to have me scurrying off to secure a copy for myself. Two spins in and I have to admit I was wondering what all the fuss was about, the expected rush of sounds leaving me standing firm, rather than knocked off my feet.
And that's because Coming Back Again isn't an instant fix, or fleeting gratification.
A niggling itch that I was missing what others were hearing kept drawing me back for another listen and then on the fourth or fifth spin and almighty click suddenly locked everything into place. The expected rush I anticipated was revealed as an even more powerful illustration of subtle persuasion and all the more long lasting for it. A couple of weeks down the line and the mix of deep, deep grooves and from the heart guitar lines are the obvious perfect compliment to vocals that know how to seduce in a decidedly authentic manner. This is top notch stuff.
There's a Southern edge and yet while Blackfoot or indeed Blackberry Smoke are reminded of, TGG aren't - with smacks of riffage early Sabbath would be proud to call their own - so easy to categorise. As "Get It Together", "See It Through" and "Hazy Daybreak" roll past, there are hints of everything from early Kiss to Allman Brothers and much in between; a hint of Zeppelin, a taste of Blue Cheer and all the while the majesty of Grand Funk Railroad is never far away. All six songs are worth the admission price on their own, however when "Down The Line" slips into top gear, the rumbling riff is utterly sublime, completely irresistible and something that will stay with you for a long time to come. Although, the good time groove and spacey outlook of "Shadow Traveler" sure as hell ain't far behind.
If you're fortunate enough to spend time with Coming Back Again, I'd suggest you don't judge it on one or two spins. Instead let an album that seems wonderfully out of time whisk you back four decades (or more) before handing out rewards at every turn. If you do, you'll end up with one of the year's highlight releases and no mistake.
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