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Grantura's debut album 'In Dreams & Other Stories' is out now and available from:
Picadilly Records (Order)
Rough Trade (Order)
HMV.com (Order)
Zavvi (Order)
Featuring singles 'Waves', 'In Dreams' and 'Down From The Mountain'.
We're pleased to say we've had some lovely reviews starting to come in:
The Times 26th September 2008 ****
You suspect that Grantura are a band who started writing songs when they couldn't agree which Crosby Stills & Nash songs to cover. With the wind in their sails, though, the South London six-piece can whip up an acoustic strum and drang that just as happily calls to mind the Lilac Time (In Dreams, Waves), Gram Parsons (Holly) and the La's (Lazarus - La's R Us, geddit?). What it all adds up to on In Dreams & Other Stories is a roasty, toasty quilty pleasure of an album.
(Pete Paphides)
UNCUT Oct 08
***
Heady Vibes from London Six-piece
West Coast rock has spawned many imitators in recent years, but few as convincing as Grantura. This euphoric debut aligns the ‘60s harmonies of The Byrds and The Mamas & The Papas to propulsive acoustic rhythms that often leak into country. Like The Cosmic Rough Riders before them though, it is a curiously British take on LA rock. Softened by pastoral delights like “Land of the Big Skies”, they recast Nick Drake’s “Cello Song” as a psych roustabout. Even odd excursions into weird polka (“House of Cards”) are delivered with style, wit and rare warmth.
(Rob Hughes)
Q Oct 08
***
London made country rock that works
Specialising in harmony-laden Americana, with ‘60s West Coast echoes of CSN and The Byrds, Grantura don’t make a sound often associated with today’s Britain. It therefore says plenty that their debut is good enough to fool anybody. As well as the airy, sun-dappled vocals, they’ve got strong tunes such as In Dreams and the rippling Waves. When they push themselves a little harder, shading into psychedelia on Land of the Big Skies, they convince as a band genuinely made for wide open spaces, not simply six individuals aping the past.
(Peter Kane)
And here is what the Independent On Sunday had to say about the album...
"As if to prove that Lucky Soul's debut album was no fluke, the charmingly independent Ruffa Lane Records now invites us to put pop prejudice to one side and welcome a self-proclaimed Americana group from the Atlantic. And guess what? This comes as close to the sound of the Californian cosmic cowboys as any group from "south-east London via the lowlands of Lincolnshire" has any right to get. There are echoes of The Byrds, The Dillards, the Clarks and The Burritos, but the best thing of all is that the whole thing manages to smell as much of real ale and cider as it does whisky sours."
“Red hot hit!” - Richard Allinson, on Chris Evans Drive time, BBC Radio 2
Thank you to Radio 2 listeners for voting for Down from the Mountain
What people are saying:
"Borderline, London, 12th Feb 08: Grantura sound new-minted, as if from the fresh first years of classic American bands like the country side of The Byrds, The Band and such – you can almost smell the grass and the sunshine in the February gloom of London (can’t wait to see them again in a summer festival field). Simple songs classically, cleverly put together, then played utterly from the heart – beautiful harmonies and gentle waves washing over – Waves itself (the recent single) is a highlight. Think of that glorious Coen Brothers film O Brother Where Art Thou? and the Soggy Bottom Boys endearing themselves to all who hear... That mandolin sounds just fine, that laid-back stripped down rhythm giving space for the guitars to arrive for their perfect moments. And there is a hint of an English heart in there that gives them something just a little different – Anglo-Americana then... The varied audience is completely won over, and there's a revelation: this kind of music was made precisely for little venues and imperfect PAs, and it's way more powerful than, say, raging metal. Hey look, they’re from London, their fine debut single came out late last year, they’re even more enjoyable live - fine fine easy, clever, crafted, highly enjoyable alt.Americana with that little something extra – momentum temporary halted by awkward equipment problems can’t hold back their magic, all is forgiven the second they pick up the music again – fine fine band, pure enjoyment, simple as that."- Organ Zine Live Review
"Looking like the Style Council, they sound like The Byrds circa Sweetheart Of The Rodeo or the more rueful musings of Tenage Fanclub. A solid foundation of accoustic guitars and mandolin, monstrous tunes and delirious vocal harmonies." -Andrew Mueller (Music Week)
"That really is a beautiful song" -Mark Radcliffe: BBC Radio 2
“Quite simply absolutely beautiful” -Gary Crowley: BBC Radio London.
"Take a listen to this, it's gorgeous" -Janice Long: BBC Radio2
"A really lovely tune" -Stuart Marconie: BBC Radio 2
"This is gorgeous" -Shaun Keaveney: BBC 6 music
"Lush warm and very mellow, very inviting...authentic Americana done so so well... warm harmonies, faithful crafted sound, they clearly have a passion - everything is just right" -Organ Magazine (online).
"Killer harmonies and duelling guitars"
-The Social W1 (March 2007 winners of 2007 Time Out Perrier award)
"Shifting rhythms, duelling guitar lines and uplifting harmonies, something that more people deserve to hear and bathe in it's silky goodness. - These guys deserve to be on a label and distributed to a wider audience. Bringing to mind Teenage Fanclub at their best, their playing is also of the highest standard" -Richard Hughes, CD Times On-line
"Grantura manage to combine the pop ethic of catchy tunes with a sincere honesty and emotion that is neither formulaic or cheesy." -Little League Productions.
"Their delicate interplay of instruments and harmonies make it a pleasure to pass the time listening, and the rural/rustic imagery of their press photos appeals to the part of me that would love to jack it all in and downsize in a river cottage style." -Howard, Lonesome Music
i thought they were great i saw gold heart assembly in southampton sat nite they really are fab too....shame they have not got cd out would love a copy of there stuff....take care...nikki
Itâs that time of the month and our site has four new tracks up for your listening enjoyment.
This monthâs box of delights include the swaggering groove of Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, the insanely catchy folk-pop of Antje Duvekot, the languid Great Lake Swimmers and, a little belatedly but better late than never, The Young Republic.
A particularly strong month, even if we do say so ourselves. Check them out, you won't regret it.
Hi guys_ You were recommended by Paulio after finding out about our mutual admiration for Fleet Foxes. I'm glad he did! i hope 2009 is a good year for you all-cheers Neville
Hi heard about you through jamie dale. I am actually aportrait artist based in London and doing a series on band paintings for free to try to get my name known if you are interested please let me know. Thanks Anita
Hello. For our final update of 2008 we have a track from the wonderful Todd Snider, classic sounds from The Snakes, the spellbinding voice of Kate Campbell, the atmospheric Iguanas and some leftfield rock'n'roll from Slithering Beast. Merry Christmas/Solstice/whatever and a Happy New Year!
Yes, it's that time of the month again when your listening pleasure can be enhanced by heading off to the AUK Myspace site where you will find folk whimsy from The Travelling Band, poignant thoughfulness from Waylon Jennings, The Butless Chaps (don't you just want to know what they sound like?) and the sweetly swinging (and singing) Tish Hinojosa.
Got your album on Saturday and am quite enjoying it. Listening to it at work makes all the shite going on around me melt away. So thanks and keep up the great work!
gents. had the album on constant rotation for the last couple of weeks in the car and i have to say that i love it. as do the assorted chlidren and hitchhikers who have joined me in there.
though clearly a rose is not red in the dark. that much seems obvious.
and one of the lyrics puts me in mind of 'life in the city' by demis roussos. not your fault, that, though. says more about me and so on. anyone for demis?
Hello everyone , we're back from our log cabin in Finland to take the helm at our magnificent folk club, only so due to the plethora of talented pilgrims who frequent our candle lit hideaway. So whether you're a regular member of the Lantern Society or you wish to enroll, please do bring your weapon and brazenly brandish it upon our sacred stage this thursday.
best wishes and prosperity Trevor Moss and Hannah-Lou
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