GRACELESS BY SULK

The importance of The Stone Roses to British music is as a link.  They came along at the end of the 1980’s as the waves of great bands of the New Wave and after era gradually died out and before the Britpop explosion which they partially inspired of the mid 90’s.  With their airy 60’s type vocals, big guitar, and funky rhythm section, they hit on every musical sub genre popular at the time and started their own mini- scene Madchester which did not last very long.

GRACELESS the debut album by the band Sulk is the most directly Stones Roses inspired record I’ve heard since Blur and The Bluetones and Shed Seven’s first albums.  Listening to it transports one back to 1995.

“Flowers” the current single off GRACELESS perfectly sums what they are doing....Guitar swagger anchoring a spacey harmony and a Reni-type drum figure.

The rest of the album distinguishes itself from its influences by some truly heavy guitar work (above what would be expected by a band like this) – power chords loud and proud on songs like Marina Shrine.

In the end this album is deeply satisfying on two levels 1.) As melodic Britpop 2.) As heavy British rock - for air guitar enthusiasts.  A nod to Ed Buller who produced Pulp and Suede among others and who co-produced this record.

A really enjoyable debut. A nice shot of retro!