Graboski, Jay: Authentic Fake

A key member of the long time underground prog outfit OHO, Jay Graboski now presents us with his first solo offering, although certainly not his first music from outside of his main band. As all solo projects should, what Authentic Fake provides is a sidestep from much of a connection with what this chap does with OHO, even if there is a smattering of re-workings of that band’s material here. Instead, what we get is a smooth but interestingly arranged collection of 14 tracks - and a further 6 from Graboski’s The Dagger Chandelier EP - that run the gamut from folk to pop, soft rock to gentle psychedelic and much in between.

Vocally Graboski reminds me of the characterful attack of Glyn Bailey, for any of you in the know as to who that may be (if you’re not, check him out), meaning that he has a full, at times theatrical approach that is easily melded into most situations. And that’s just as well, because while there are certain themes that run through this album, the journey taken allows many different views. That said, in general, whether there be brass backing, more forceful guitars or a gently lilting air, the overall mood is maybe just ever so slightly on the polite side and when you factor in that there are 14 songs on the main album, the end results can all begin to lose some of their intended idiosyncrasies. “Dot On Your Door� is one of the more memorable pieces, the clever arrangement revealing nuances with each listen, while “The Hours� adds a country edge through some fiddle, going on to hold the interest in a way that not everything here quite does.

Undoubtedly, then adding a further six tracks to this album provides value for money and a 20 track introduction into the world of Jay Graboski, but sometimes more is just, well, more and I have to admit that nearly 70 minutes of this polite, jaunty fair really does all become just a bit too much. There’s no doubting Jay Graboski’s talents but for me personally that doesn’t really translate into an album (and EP) that draws me back for future exploration.

Track Listing
1. In Dotage
2. Season of Extremes
3. 28721 (3:38)
4. Dot on Your Door
5. Die Before You Die
6. Hidden Agenda
7. Out on a Limb
8. Mired in Malaise?
9. Cosmos of the Soul
10. The Hours
11. Frog Legs
12. Metaphors
13. The Witness Watchers
14. Authentic Fake
Bonus: The Dagger Chandelier EP
1. Your Luck is Awake
2. The Crown
3. The Doomed Princess
4. St. Judas
5. Where Words Do Not Reach
6. Well, I'll Be

Added: April 5th 2024
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Jay Graboski online
Hits: 105
Language: english

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