CORPORATE LINE: “We’re sort of an un-supergroup,” laughs former Far frontman Jonah Matranga, who, along with ex-Crumb guitarist Mark Weinberg, is in charge of San Francisco-based Gratitude. While it’s true that their résumés are filled with influential sounds and cult like followings, Matranga and Weinberg are too excited about Gratitude’s self-titled debut to think too much about the past. And they should be. The 12-song album is filled with timeless rock and a batch of delicious hooks.
THE GREAT:
Nothing.
THE AVERAGE:
“Drive Away” – The first song and you instantly have a handle on who they sound like—Goo Goo Dolls.
“Someone To Love” – Okay, now… this song is nearly blasphemous as it steals directly from the Goos. “I Want somebody to Love” and the Goo’s added “I need somebody to love me.” It’s scary similar.
“All In A Row” – That same and airy feeling that the Goo Goo Dolls have perfected Gratitude has worked into a dizzying mimicry. “All In A Row” has a good hook and is certainly sing-able but its not good enough for them to step out of the shadow of their contemporaries.
“Feel Alright” – Again, a very hooky track that doesn’t make you forget they need to find their own identity.
THE BAD:
Nothing.
FRANKLY: If you heard Gratitude like a blind taste test you’d be hard pressed to figure out which was Gratitude or the Goo Goo Dolls. The real difference is that the Goo’s write huge hit songs. Not only does the band sound similar but the singer sounds nearly identical. It’s a shame Gratitude doesn’t sound original as this might have been a better record.
+ Rae Gun
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