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Cheshire Grimm - EP Review: Rain or Shine

10 Mar 2017 // A review by butch181

Cheshire Grimm provide quite an eclectic mix of sounds in their Rain or Shine EP release. Their opening track, Slave to the Grind starts with a grungy bassy riff, which swiftly switches to some jazzy saxophone with some clean distorted guitars. Altogether creating a fresh and funky sound complete with clean female vocals. Each riff feels reasonably basic, but the number of differing musical patterns within the one track adds the effect of layering and sophistication to the song. The vocal harmonies are very well done, with a plethora of instruments, and a variety of tempos throughout. Vocals are a little bit disconnected from the music. Slightly over processed.

Awaken has a very deep acoustic bass sound with a good use of delayed echo effects on the guitar. More of a chorded riff structure, there is a natural rhythm and pace, that gets the listeners swaying. Very simple chorus to sing along with and will likely be a very popular live song, providing a great opportunity to get their lighters/phones out. This track has a much slower pace to it, but gives the guitar plenty of chances to shine with an extensive solo considering the track length. 

The third track, Jimmy has a faster, rockier tempo, and a grungy guitar sound with clean vocals dominating over the top. Harmonies are the strength of the Cheshire Grimm EP; that unique element that stands out, and I hope that that is an aspect they are able to recreate live. The vocalists have a good vocal range, and while they seem to prefer the lower end of the vocal spectrum during verses, the choruses expand on this, providing some variety.

Sinn is another funky track that has more of a mainstream sound, reminiscent of The Living End, where the rhythm and tempo is driven by the bass and vocals more than the guitars. The opening riff reminds me of the intro to My Chemical Romance’s Hang ‘Em High track from their Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge record. A chorus that has punk rock notes not dissimilar to Green Day. Unfortunately, the vocals are a bit too clean, leaving it sounding disconnected from the instruments.

The final track to close off the EP is Dear Moon. A slow ballad, that gives you the image of a lounge singer from the 50's era. A very vocally dominant song, with husky dulcet tones, very similar to that of Dido's Thank You, over a restrained instrumental performance. A beautifully expansive, spacey track.

Overall, there is a wide variety of styles on show. The two vocalists harmonise beautifully, and have no aversion to using any styles within their music. I myself would classify it as jazz rock, though they frequently transcend genres encapsulating pop, funk, and punk. You'll find a bass player that is comfortable to do more than mirror the root notes of the guitar riffs, and it creates something that you can't fully appreciate with only one play through.

 

About Cheshire Grimm

Genre: Melancholic Wonder / Prog-Alt-Pop-Glitter
What do you see when you think of Cheshire Grimm?

The brainchild of Kat Waswo (vocals/bass) and Lora Thompson (guitar/vocals) has created a dark creature, twisting through the motions of light and dark, threading their bright colours into a warm blanket of melancholy.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Cheshire Grimm

Releases

Rain Or Shine
Year: 2017
Type: EP
Cheshire Grimm
Year: 2015
Type: EP

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