If there was anything close to a modern day representation of to Exile on Main St., Waiting For Columbus, or Who's Next this is the band. Grenwich Meantime has the edge and raw qualities of newer bands like the strokes and The White Stripes, yet they have the feel and emotion to their music that only the bands of yesteryear seemed to capture. The best new band that I have heard since Pearl Jam hit the scene! SA

I was trying to figure out what I look for in new music. Why do I choose to like one new band, and dislike another? I think that my tendency when I hear something new is to relate it to some of my other musical influences and see how it stacks up. Naturally though, when I listen to something that sparks some sort of familiarity, I also wonder if it's too similar. So where is the balance between something that has all of the characteristics of the music I enjoy, but contains something totally new and original that I can relate too. Well, I found the answer in a 5 piece rock band named Grenwich Meantime. At their recent gig at The Coach House in Orange County, they absolutely blew me away. It wasn't just me either. I saw a dozen or more people in the crowd go from, "Who they hell are these guys?" to "Where can I get a CD?", in 50 minutes. I can't remember the last time I saw a band that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up with anticipation of the next chord progression, the way that they do. A little over the top?? Maybe. When you hear a band that gives you the feeling you get when you scream the lyrics to "Thunder Road" at top volume, it's hard not get excited. And, I'm a tough critic, let that be said. As a whole, I feel like new music is entirely disposable. Here today saturating the airwaves, gone tomorrow. Hell, my all-time top five haven't changed in 10 years because of this fact. The Beatles, The Stones, Marvin Gaye, U2 & Bob Dylan, and I'm only 26 years old. Even the new bands that I like, (Beck, Wilco, Radiohead, Ryan Adams, Coldplay or Pearl Jam), aren't exactly new. (I apologize if I left anyone out, I'm pressed for time.) At any rate, what I'm trying to say is that Grenwich Meantime has a timeless quality that I recognize in the music that I love. They are so versatile, and yet, all of the songs seem to remain cohesive at the same time. And they have hooks that you can really sink you teeth into. When I tell someone to go to their website to listen to some tracks, www.gmtband.com , I don't have to preface it by saying something like, "Now...this takes alot of listening too.." Most of their music just jumps out at you immediately. I've seen them 10 times and they continue to surprise me with their seemingly endless talent and ability to create good new music. New music that is raw but remarkable bright and melodic. Every song is good. They never seem like their lost. I'm not just talking about a guitarist losing his place in a solo. I mean, they never seem as though their playing something that doesn't work for them, or that they can't pull off. And they work as a collective. They trade off who the focal point is on every song, within every song. That is rare. Licks that would make Keith Richards jealous, lyrics that would make Jeff Tweedy ponder, and soul that would have made Pop Staples say "Right on!" Bottom line, I've never seen a unsigned band with more potential than Grenwich Meantime. Their music inspires me. Go see this band...you won't be sorry.