Search - Gratitude :: Gratitude

Be Grateful For Gratitude

Andrew Estes | Maine | 04/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"OK, let's get one thing out of the way first: I hate the emo explosion going on right now. I downright loathe it. There's a handful of really good bands coming out of the woodwork, getting success at the same time, and unfortunately, getting lumped in with that movement. Gratitude are one of those bands. True, frontman Jonah Matranga (who should be best known for his work in Far) could be considered the father of emo, not only as the frontman for the short lived New End Original, but as the brain behind the ultra-sensitive Onelinedrawing. But with this, his new group, he steers in a new direction, more towards a universally appealing pop-rock style, sounding more like U2 than Dashboard Confessional. I get the same feeling listening to Gratitude's debut as I did when I first got Far's "Water & Solutions" album, and although it doesn't really sound like it, it has the same passion and the same quality. Sure, songs like "Sadie" and "The Greatest Wonder" are classic Jonah, but "All In A Row" and the first single, "Drive Away," are more indicative of the new style and the overall tone the band is going for. Personally, I could never get into Jonah's post-Far projects (just a matter of taste I guess), but as far as I'm concerned, this is among his best work. I really don't understand how anyone could not like this album. If you like all varieties of music, Gratitude will appeal to you. There are too few bands out there making no frills, no strings attached, straight-up good rock music, which is why you should give this band a chance."

Its good! i promise!

? | 03/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this is a great album.



if you're a fan of jonah, you're sure to like it(as long as you weren't out to hate it from the start.)



also, if you do hate it, and run out of things bad to say about it, try to insult the band members clothing."

Not the best jonahs done, but really good.

Swifty Swing | Blue States | 03/09/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Apparently it's already happened. The bashing has begun. I guess it was inevitable being that so many people are sick of regurgitated emo bands. And that's fine, great! It's not for you. Generic Generic Generic. I'd really like to know what you listen to so I could pick it apart and deconstruct it 'til i convince anyone who reads this NOT to buy your favorite bands cd. But I won't, thanks for your useless input though!



Now I've followed jonahs (the lead singers) band record for quite some time(far, NEO, onelinedrawing). This is his way of spreading simple, poppy, catchy, slightly creative songs to the masses. And all of a sudden there is something wrong with that with people. The band is doing what they were supposed to do, infest radio, TV, and your head (repeating over and over again).



Its not a complicated record, and that's fine! We need something simple sometimes. Something inspirational that catches us. So here it is. Enjoy! I am.

"