Strange Change Machine

The Grip Weeds had so many good songs in the bag that they decided to release a double album, "Strange Change Machine." Almost every time I play this in my shop, a customer will ask: "What is this playing?" The Grip Weeds definitely do not sound like most contemporary bands. Depending on the song playing, and the member handling vocal chores (both male and female), the Grip Weeds can sound like a dozen different bands, all of them good ones. I've read reviews that compare the music on this album to artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Eric Clapton, The Who, the Byrds, and even Yes. None of those comparisons are totally far-fetched, but to my ears the Grip Weeds sound like something from a Nuggets compilation, a thrilling blend of 60s psychedelic rock covered with a 70s pop veneer. They even toss in a cover of Todd Rundgren's "Hello It's Me" for good measure. I had never heard of this band prior to having them pop up on my Amazon "Recommended" list, but it turns out they have been together for 16 years and have released four other albums besides this jewel. Time to get the other ones too!

I can't believe I never really knew of the Grip Weeds until recently. Yeah, I probably heard them on Sirius or something, not paying attention to who it was, but this is the music I love. Beatles, Myracle Brah, Guided By Voices, Dangtrippers, The Church, The Shazam etc. Jangly power-pop guitars. I now have to buy all their albums. I really cannot believe that I didn't have the name of this band on my radar, with all the obscure college radio and alternative music groups I have been exposed to over the years.

Love Everything these guys (and gal) do..........Great vocals and such a throwback to the 60's and 70's stuff that I remember and like so much. Hop in your Corvette or Mustang, put in the CD and crank it up.........perfect match!

The Gripweeds are one of classic rock music's best kept secrets. The new album is oozing with all of the things we've come to expect. Great songs, and a buffet of guitars, harmonies, melody, riffs, etc.. . This is a great album that only gets better with multiple listenings. It proves that there is still good music out there if you look for it. Get this disk !

One of the best power pop rock albums of all time in my opinion ! The company sent it fast and I am very happy with it.

The Grip Weeds establish a colorful, maybe murky, but distinctive space in the musical aether. Their discography itself is a trip through jangling 12 string Rickenbackers, Mellotrons, wah wah pedals, three part harmonies, melodic but simple bass, and more. Imagine the veritable kitchen sink if one has in it the best vintage instruments combined with the best recording gear and all in the hands of four people who are talented enough to make them work together. Eureka! Now we're getting somewhere. To summarize The Grip Weeds, go back to the beginning of the review. In their new offeringStrange Change Machine, they offer an interstellar blast from start to finish. The opening "Speed of Light" is a soaring power pop blast with a building beat, Kurt Reil's infinite drum flourishes, distinctive guitar licks, both jangly and wailing, and art rock keyboards that are definitely spacey. It's almost like having as much as many bands can put into one album in to one song, but it never loses its simplicity and excitement as a fun rock song. The Grip Weeds are rock and roll fans, so their frame of reference is based on "what's good" and not using a genre to define that. Among the results of this broader appreciation is "Sun Shower" an acoustic based, psyche folk song with Kristin's flute and a building tempo that goes into rock, but the buildups keep the song engaging. This is definitely a standout song. The albums title track "Strange Change Machine" is unabashed, cranked up rock with added vocal harmonies that best communicates what the band is all about - "Pull you out of the same, mix it up in a Strange Change Machine." This album was sequenced on purpose and putting the title song on the B-side of the second album is a great way to tell the listener who they are without announcing themselves by using it as the first track. Instead, one gets a an incredible rock experience with the songs before it, but having the title track afterwards is like getting to the meat of an essay after a strong introduction. In true contradiction, the longest song on the album is "The Law," which is also the most basic rock song with it's emphasis on Rick Reil's strong, loud, power chords. It also stands out in true rock `n roll spirit not only in it's rawness but also in its outright middle finger to authority. One might also find themselves singing along to the loud guitar intro of "Hold Out for Tomorrow" only to be surprised by the backing vocals reminiscent of Cream. The hard power pop near the end of the second album is interrupted with a Nick Drake based instrumental "Love in Transition," but the addition of flute and a simple beat accompanied by tabla and more aggressive acoustic flourishes give traces of Arthur Lee and Love. As much as one could stay true to the basic rock milieu and admonish the idea of giving prominence to a "non rock" instrument, the song is a great surprise that has a wonderful depth. The closing "Mr. X" is a pure stroke of genius. Not only in its multiple melodic nods to "Tomorrow Never Knows", but also in using it as the closing track. Much like its comparison, the ending notes stay with you and make one want to play the song over a few times. New Jersey's The Grip Weeds occupy an odd space. On one hand, they're a `60s rock inspired band. Now that we have a primordial ooze of their foundation, the confusion begins. The frenetic beat and feedback of The Who, the wonderful jangle of The Byrds, the sweet melodies of The Beatles, the rhythm of The Kinks, the Delta Blues solos of The Yardbirds and the bands that followed: Led Zeppelin, Cream, the psychedelic leanings of most of them combined with The Creation, The Move, The Zombies, and more, possibly some louder wailings akin to Ron Asheton of The Stooges, even. It's been five years since their last studio release "Giant On The Beach." That's a long time. A lot of change, things brought into the soup, balances changing, things shifting. All that time away resulted in a groundswell and resulting outpouring of creativity. This double album over 80 minutes long was worth the wait. It's packed full of great songs, epic in length and substance, but stand out as a great rock album that has material that will continue to be discovered, which is the true trademark of a great, enduring rock and roll album.

Their most diverse, and they still do not disappoint at a single turn. Grip Weeds have always emulated the best of the 60's/70's, and hence, they are being classic.

In my life, I've listened to all kinda of music. My tastes run as far across the board as you can think. I listen to everything from Frank Zappa to The Beatles to Greg Howe to Garth Brooks. I love all styles of music. I first discovered The Grip Weeds a few years ago when they were The Opening Act for The Smithereens during their 4 night run at The Court Tavern in New Brunswick, NJ (the results of the Smithereens show can be heard on their "Live in Concert" CD). I bought the 3 CD's the Grip Weeds had for sale that night, and I listened to them on my 3 hour drive home. I was hooked. I received my copy of "Strange Change Machine" about a month ago at a show that I happened to be performing at along with Kurt, Kristin & Michael (from the Grip Weeds). It was the soundtrack to my drive home. It was the soundtrack to EVERYWHERE I went for a few days. I couldn't take it out of my CD Player (except to switch from disc 1 to disc 2 and back). It's just an amazing album. In a world where generic, corporate rock (Nickelback, Daughtry), overblown theatrical pop (Lady Gaga, Adam Lambert), and auto-tuned hip-hop/"singing" Rap (Kanye West, Sean Kingston) are polluting the airwaves, and giving us nothing but cookie-cutter product, Kurt Reil, Kristin Pinell, Rick Reil, and Michael Kelly (Collectively known as The Grip Weeds), are giving us REAL MUSIC. Melodies, Glorious Harmonies, Guitar Riffs from both Heaven and Hell, Real drumming (or is that Reil drumming). Everything music is supposed to be is what you'll find on "Strange Change Machine". If I had to pick a favorite song, I'd have to say "Disc 1" and "Disc 2". I can't pull songs out of this album. It is a masterpiece in its entirety, and it's the shot in the arm (AND kick in the a**) that the music industry desperately needs right now. Buy this album NOW! Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Trust me, you won't be sorry. If you like The Byrds, The Cowsills, The Zombies, & The Who - YOU'LL LOVE THE GRIP WEEDS!