 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
"When melodies and songs come naturally, from the songwriters' subconscious--when wider trends are ignored and music is allowed to be born and grow unfettered--that is when great things happen. Go Robot, Go! understands this, and their steps toward that ideal are what make Super Vacation a great little record." - Adam Garratt, Columbus Alive, July 6-12. The last time I checked in with Go Robot, Go!, they blew me away with a psychedelic sound that was a treat to the ears and got my groove on. This time around, with an EP aptly entitled Super Vacation, GRG! seems to have taken a small break from the experimental sound of their previous record and gotten on the fast track to pop success. This record is more accessible, in an industry sense, than their previous work, sounds more polished, and most importantly, is fun to listen to. When trying to sum up what impresses me the most about this Columbus, Ohio quartet, it's definitely a strong sense of self combined with humor and versatility. The disc starts out strong with "Sun City Suicide", a potent little number that gets the toes tapping and the head bobbing in time. While short, this six-song collection is sweet, and displays a firm understanding of the band's capabilities. A somewhat daring feat is the cover version of "Surfing USA", a classic not often tackled, and for good reason, but GRG! manages to pull off, keeping things relatively close to the original, but adding some guitar to update the song. "Tiki God" is another gem and displays a songwriting maturity that is headed straight for the charts. Oddly enough, the nicest surprise is a hidden track of one of the best on their previous record, Convertible, remixed and renamed "Marmalade 2000". A great track to begin with, the remix would liven up any party instantly and once again, shows a bit more versatility. The video element of the disc is also a bonus, and makes great business sense. Nothing here is over the top, but all of the elements work well to create a nice little record. --Indiemusic.com "Sun City Suicide" starts off this disc with keyboards and handclaps straight off of the Cars' first album, and first impressions don't fail us this time. GRG!'s songs are simple and sunny as a day at the beach with no bullies, syringes or sewage to spoil things; the guitars and vocals are a little snarly for orch-pop bliss, but a little too well harmonized for the happy punks. On "Sun City Suicide," "Tiki God" and "Geeky Guy," the band's love of full-bodied, GBV-style chiming melody smooths out the old SoCal punks-at-the beach sound think Slickee Boys or even Agent Orange. Hell, the group even pulls off a credible Beach Boys cover. --CMJ New Music Report Well believe it or not GRG has ripped through their 3rd release called appropriately "Super Vacation"- just in time for all of you surf fans to snag it before you hit the waves. Once again, GRG chose Jonathan Miller to engineer and produce the album. This is a CD that deserves to be listened to with headphones. GRG and Miller did a very crafty job- fat bass sounds, swirling keyboards, awesome vox sounds, great guitar work by Lowe ranging from crunchy guitars in "Kiki God" to a slow ripple reverb sound in "She's Fun". Also, love the drums sounds-especially in the instrumental tune "WWJMD" reminded me of John Densmore from "The Doors". Lets not forget bassbot! (Dave C.) nice vocal stylings on "Geeky Guy". Those people out there that are already familiar with GRG realize that they are big fans of the vocoder. Well, the first three songs are surprisingly enough,- sans vocoder- and I must admit I preferred it. I guess it's just a nice little change up! However, boys I personally think that it wasn't over used on this record. After listening to GRG's new release four times, "Sun City Suicide" is definitely my favorite tune. The prelude to each verse starts in with this throw back keyboard sound, backed with handclaps. Talk about hooky. I felt like the pathetic bass being tempted by "The Banjo Minnow System". Hooked me in immediately. Another Scooby snack was had during the bridge. Awesome back ups! Havner made me feel like I was standing on a California beach, pants rolled up, wind in my hair-with chicks all over me.-quick someone pinch me! hhmmmmmmm. While I was listening to Super Vacation, I was amazed on how far Shinola oh I mean Go Robot Go has traveled in this past five years. I don't think I have met a harder working band. This band has their poop in a group! It's very evident by this most recent effort. In addition, to the awesome music, GRG managed to sneak a hidden track of a remixed "Marmalade 99"on this record. When I said re-mix I meant re-mix. Tom Cruise might be approaching GRG to do the theme music for MI3. More impressive is the fact that they also have a full-length video for the song on the CD.- well done might I add. To top it all off -Brian Huber designed wonderful looking cover art and packaging. Boys I'm not just blowing smoke up your behind, this is my favorite CD you have done. I suggest everyone down load "Sun City Suicide" here and get your mittens on a copy of "Super Vacation". Well to conclude, good production, "Sun City Suicide" my favorite song, GRG has their poop in a group, favorite GRG CD so far, thousand points of light, stay the course.... keep on rocking, get the cd. ciao --Columbusmusic.com On their new EP Super Vacation, outer-space-rockers Go Robot, Go! have turned in a set of completely original songs (plus one cover) that borrow from influences without plagiarizing, that are carefully crafted yet feel spontaneous. Super Vacation is just what its name, and brilliant cover art and layout, suggest: A vicarious trip to the beach. The album opens with the quirky pop surf anthem Sun City Suicide and closes with a cover of Surfing USA. Memories of Brian Wilson call clearly on She's Fun. That influence returns, turned just slightly inside out, on Tiki God, the first 15 seconds of which is enough to sell the record. Go Robot, Go!'s charm lies not only in the underdog territory they seem to have staked out. Geeky Guy from Super Vacation and Shy (ee yii) from their previous album Convertible are both great tunes, two of band's best in terms of creativity and composition. The true charm, though--and a mark of the band's talent--comes through in their songs, which are confident without being arrogant, and sound effortless despite their complexities. This is the secret to songwriting: not forcing the tune. When melodies and songs come naturally, from the songwriters' subconscious--when wider trends are ignored and music is allowed to be born and grow unfettered--that is when great things happen. Go Robot, Go! understands this, and their steps toward that ideal are what make Super Vacation a great little record. --Columbus Alive Magazine Check out the artist's website: http://www.gorobotgo.com Track List: 1. Sun City Suicide 2. Geeky Guy 3. She's Fun 4. Wwjmd 5. Tiki God 6. Surfing USA Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
|