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Granian - My Voice EP Review
July 2004
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Granian, which is the name used by New Jersey based singer/songwriter Garen Gueyikian, is going to make one lucky record label very happy. The forthcoming EP is the fourth independent release, however, one listen makes me think that this is the record that will change that forever. But let's look back at Granian's history first.
Granian's earlier works were raw and showed potential. His 1996 debut, Without Change spawned the single Immune, an acoustic-driven song which showed an artist that was ready to go places. However he hadn't yet matured into his signature sound.
Flash forward four years later to 2000's Hang Around. Granian started to forge his sound and gain a cultish-following. He was a big hit with the 'Aware' crowd that was into bands like Guster, Vertical Horizon, The Verve Pipe, and The Dave Matthews Band. He was one of those artists that didn't get any airplay but gained underground acclaim through touring and word-of-mouth.
This record reminded me of Live's Mental Jewelry. He played with passion and incredible musicianship, but the songs themselves showed an artist still trying to find himself. Like Live with their record, there were a few strong tracks, namely, Far From Saved and In Here, that made you hunger in anticipation for the next step in his growth.
In 2003, Granian's singer/songwriter Garen Gueyikian, recorded a live solo record under the Granian name. The result was a breathtakingly powerful acoustic rock performance that belied its intimate setting. Long time fans were in awe and newcomers were captured.
Granian has now put together a stunning 5 song EP full of radio-bound hits. Well, not really. But in a perfect world....What follows is a song-by song breakdown of the My Voice EP with 30 second samples of each track.
My Voice EP Review
The first track is the aptly named Contagious. The chorus is as infectious as any modern rock radio hit out there today.
"Lay down in her open skies
Just wait here for her moon to rise
She's contagious yeah yeah
Face down when you realize
that all the love in this room has been swept aside
Come save us yeah yeah"
Uncovered is on the mellower side, and finds Garen in a reflective mood...
"Everything would be just fine
maybe we could pass the time, well
we're leaving our love uncovered
by the demons that hold us down
everything in life just changed
from the moment that we walked away
we're leaving our love uncovered "
Garen has a certain growl here on the word 'Uncovered' that is reminescent of Matchbox 20's Rob Thomas.
Ain't That A Shame is NOT a cover of the Buddy Holly classic. Rather, it's an acoustic driven ditty that again rings of Matchbox 20 and Vertical Horizon. Now don't get me wrong when I say this. I don't mean to imply that Granian is a copycat artist with no orginiality. Rather, these tracks are as worthy of radio airplay as any of the modern rock guitar pop groups out there.
Collide is probably the one track on the EP that didn't quite grab me. It's missing the two things that I feel have really defined the new Granian sound: An absolutely infectious chorus, and a passion that is felt even in the quietiest moments. This one tastes like filler to me, but that being said I'll take his filler over 80% of songs on the air these days.
My Voice is a microcosm of everything that is good about Granian. The track starts off with restrained acoustic strumming, and you can feel the passion in Garen even in its mellow phase. The song builds and you can feel it rising to a crescendo. Finally the chorus kicks in....
"With my voice, With my hands
I will do anything that I want to do with them
It's my choice, And they're my demands
They are strong enough to break the skin"
This song finds Granian at his best. It's obvious that Granian has his influences and is capable of turning in radio rock hits as catchy as anything Matchbox 20 or Vertical Horizon, but in this reviewer's opinion, it is when he starts out tight with passion, lets the song build and then just lets loose that you feel the full power, lyricism, and the sound of Granian.
My biggest complaint here....Granian finally made the record I've been waiting for him to make....and we only get a limited edition preview of September's full length release!
If this EP is a sign of the direction Granian is going in, then get used to him. He's going to be around for a long time, and hopefully your radio will be a better place for it.