A Lively and Colorful New Album Release from Idiot Grins
- BuzzSlayers
- 8 minutes ago
- 6 min read
If ever I've heard a record that crossed over elements of funk, psych-rock, classic rock, Americana, and soul, it would absolutely be the new record from Idiot Grins.
It's called Golf Cart Life, and wastes very little time diving into the vintage-sounding soul-riddled, groove-oriented approach with the first track, "Hell No".
The track features guitars using classic old-school wah-wah effect pedals, loads of organs just bringing this lushness to everything, and percussion that doesn't just drive the song but brings an additional liveliness to everything.
The energy across this record is infectious to say the very least. The whole record is colorful, packed with flavor, and the vocals are masterfully done, simply because they have that passion in the performance and hit with a brilliant and plentiful tone.
There are a lot of times throughout this record where those vocals are just belting out, and it's totally addictive because you want to sing along with your hands in the air.
That's the kind of infectiousness the record gives you. You feel it in your bones and in your blood. You want to get up and dance right away.
There's loads of that throughout this record. If you're driving in the car, you are going to be shaking your butt in your seat.
If you're at home, just go ahead and move the couch back so you can start dancing and singing around the living room.
The record is endlessly fun, and this first track gives you a lot of that right off the bat.
The instrumentation is also a big factor in why the songs have such a copious soundscape. The horns play a huge part in that because they add such a great set of textures to the songs, along with additional melodies and hooks that bounce around in your head for hours after the songs have ended.
"Vandals" is a damn near perfect example of what I'm talking about.
This one's got pianos, organs, saxophones, and more just rolled into this fat song. It's got a really blues kind of feel to it, the soul is oozing everywhere, and it still bursts with that flavorful aesthetic.
"Hulking Out" is a song that still gives you a lot of that colorful feel but has a bit more of a rock backbone. There's more drive behind it; it's slightly edgier, but not over the top. The vocals are also a bit more in your face, and I like how they're able to give this side of their performance on record as well.
It's really outstanding how they're capturing these performances. It's almost like they recorded the whole thing live in one room at once.
It definitely seems like there's a synergy going on between the players, and even if I'm wrong about the whole recording live aspect, they still managed to give that feeling on the record.
Once again, it's in that energy.
They do get slightly experimental at times, but just in the sense that they are reaching outside their normal songwriting palette and giving you elements of cinematic backdrop and build.
"Collins Collins" showcases a lot of that and is probably my favorite track on the record, to be honest.
They're also always hanging on to this pop sensibility. They never stray from the color or the catchiness. That pop element is infused throughout the songs, no matter if it's leaning more towards blues, Americana, rock, or anything else.
"Doormat" is an outstanding song because it's got this sort of warmth to it. It also boasts a bit of a classic or vintage style of songwriting that really works. It's got a great bopping guitar and a vast undertone, but it also has clapping and a great rhythm.
It's almost like a track that was written in the late 50s or early 60s.
I definitely dig how they delve into these different approaches because it always works, and no matter what, there is a confluence between the songs. Everything feels cohesive.
This is pretty cool, seeing that they're putting out a record that is actually pretty diverse in itself.
There are no two songs that are super alike. They reach out into different areas, but again, the album as a whole is still very cohesive and delivers that pop undertone.
After I checked this record out, I wanted to have a sit-down with the band to find out where it all came from and what might be coming up next for them.
So, as you dig through this awesome record and try not to dance around the room, which he will fail at, you might as well have a read through of our interview with Idiot Grins below.
Remember where you heard it first.
Where did this record come from and what was it about?
-Originally from a small fishing village on the coast of Madagascar, but
ultimately from Snug Harbor Studios in Oakland California. The latest but not
the last artistic adventures of a group of five friends who, after playing in
various different bands since the 1970’s, have come together to relive the
dream of making it big as rock stars. Except now the tours would be
sponsored primarily by AARP and the vehicles would all have to have
Handicapped Placards…. Kidding aside, lifelong musician friends who still
have the bug for the magic that is creating and playing music based primarily
on the real music of the last century…
I am hearing a few different styles on this release. Who are some of your
biggest musical influences?
-Nothing really specific on this album. Previous releases were inspired by past
eras and styles, but this one basically just emerged from the inspiration and
motivation to keep creating and playing music with friends. Of course the
giants of rock, R&B and Alternative Music will always be an influence. It’s
always fun to “Borrow” as much as one can from the classics without actually
stealing stuff, or at least not getting caught at it…
Are you performing live right now?
Several years ago we played once, 2 songs, at Randy’s 50 th birthday party.
That’s probably enough for now…truthfully, we’re all a bit past our prime
touring and gigging ages, but if the financial offerings were significant enough,
we might be persuaded to give it another shot…
How did this all start for you as a band?
We’re the remaining remnants of the various bands we’ve all had the pleasure
to rock with for the last several decades. With a great home studio and our
own “George Martin” on retainer, we haven’t found enough reasons to stop
putting out albums for the world to relish…
Did you work with a producer on this album, or was this all you?
Majority of production comes from the fearless leader Randall Strauss, with
keen technical production, “Knob twisting”, from Mr. Smars. A few of the tunes
started as demos written by other members, but the bulk of the songs start out
with Strauss’ ideas and basic arrangements. Then they’re put into the grinding
machine that is the Idiot Grins and out they come, as innocent as a newborn
baby on a delivery room floor…
What's next for you? Working on more new releases?
Yes indeed! already 6-8 songs into the next project. We’re perfecting our
senior citizen musical addictions, the next album is an Instrumental mash up
of Barry Manilow and Michael Jackson influenced medleys..
What kind of advice would you give to other up and coming bands or artists
trying to get heard?
Be very very patient and lower your expectations as low as humanly
possible…
What would you say people can expect to hear on this record?
Music that is a representation of several fellows who aren’t as concerned with
impressing people as they are eating properly, trying to get enough sleep and
offering some musical opinions and tidbits that are interesting, entertaining
and possibly memorable…
Before we go, what would you want to express to fans of the music?
Keep enjoying it, don’t take anything too seriously and tell as many people as
possible how incredible the Idiot Grins are. Hopefully as soon as the Rolling
Stones finally retire and stop touring, we’ll be ready to take over where they
left off…
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