The Sophtware Slump, Grandaddy’s 2000 release, was extremely well received and is a very good album. They also earned respect for not being afraid to toy with the Beatles’ “Revolution” on the I Am Sam soundtrack. While everyone else was afraid to be the band that ruined a Beatles song, Grandaddy came from nowhere to recreate the Fab Four’s classic and came out with something no one expected.
Sumday, the band’s fourth studio release, finds Grandaddy traversing their back catalogue. No one familiar with the band’s material will be shocked by the sound on Sumday—quirky pop that is distinct, endearing, and fun, using modern synths and samples to accentuate songs rooted in vintage rock. Tracks like “OK with My Decay,” “The Warming Sun,” and first single “Now It’s On” are the best examples.
The bad part for Grandaddy is that there are other bands that are better at this sound: The Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, Super Furry Animals, etc. Yet it isn’t right that Sumday—originally planned to be a double-album organized into party and post-party wind-down music and then forced into one by the band’s label—is faulted because of another band’s work. The music here is good, very good, and it deserves to be heard.
So while Sumday is not a mind-blowing or revolutionary album, there is nothing wrong with music that is just good, music that doesn’t need adjectives like “important,” “landmark,” or “classic.” I can honestly say I enjoy listening to Sumday, and you will too. In the end, isn’t that the point of music anyway?
Well i finally got to listen to this record. The first really rocks but after that………well…it just sort of lost the progressive feel to the album. It is a good album, don’t get me wrong but i just really sort of lost interest.
After spending more time with it I’ve come to the conclusion it is a very good album, the songs are dramatic and well written, the lyrics are clever and biting, and the performances are above average. I think, however, it is sort of all over the place, and is missing that one intangible element that makes a really good album a really great album. Even The Sophtware Slump had it, but this unfortunately misses slightly.
I have never listened to anything else that
Grandaddy has done before, so this album was my intro to this group. Sum of it was interesting,
but I got bored of it after only a couple of songs. I like it but I think it needs more dynamics. It just kind of sits there, every song
sounds the same pretty much and there isnt any real build up. The lyrics are and melodies are good though.
I’d have to agree with this review. Sumday is a very good album. I was intially disappointed that Grandady (or others) chose to release the “party” side of this album, but now I’m addicted. It’s more fun than anything they’ve put out and there’s still that bit of seriousness toward the end. I like it for what it is… A great pop “party” album. I’m also hoping I get to hear the cuts they didn’t choose to release, so I can see what they’ve been up to… other than getting happy. I mean I like ELO, but I know what they sounded like when they got happy for too long.
I find these guys and especially this latest album to be super-boring. anyone with me??
I turn on this CD every night before I go to bed. By song #3 I am OUT.