The Grates - Gravity Won't Get You High

Genre rock Publisher Cherrytree/Interscope External Links Official The Grates Website Official Cherrytree Records Website

The Grates lead singer Patience Hodgson is every awkward indie geeks dream girl. Sure, she's cute, Australian, kooky and energetic, but more importantly, she's also talented and fun as hell to listen to. Her band's first full-length, Gravity Wont Get You High, proves what many suspected after the band's critically acclaimed EP Ouch, the Touch, that being The Grates can create an entire album full of fun fem, indie-pop. Though Gravity's charismatic quality is its overall spirit of fun and bounce ("Lies Are Much More Fun" and "10 20 20"), it's the girl charm of "Rock Boys" and "Nothing Sir" that make the album irresistibly appealing.

At times Gravity sounds like a more tame Yeah Yeah Yeahs, who The Grates have often been compared to. Not that being compared to the YYY’s is a bad thing, but The Grates definitely have a style all their own. There is not as much time put into creating avant-garde art rock sounds like fuzzy synthed out guitar solos. Instead, The Grates play a more traditional cross of punk and good ole classic rock 'n roll. And it's Hodgson's playful, hot art school girl energy that completes the sound. In fact, every song on this album is simple and carefree when held in comparison to the YYY's; in a good way of course.

Gravity is a playful album that anyone could rock out too, its cheerful energy universal. However, on "Feels Like Pain" Hodgson manages to prove that her band can also be serious, showing off some amazing pipes and singing her heart out arena style and giving Gravity the diversity necessary for mass appeal. To best sum this up, this album is perfect for anyone looking to have a good time without the commitment.