Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Grilled Cheese - Happy Waitress

8/13/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Grilled Cheese

Happy Waitress
self-released; 2015

3.4 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Happy Waitress by Grilled Cheese is a straightforward rock album that feels undeniable American. The three band members consisting of Joe Bavolar (guitar/vocals), Joe Conti (drums/vocals) and Eric Holsten (bass/vocals) play music that contains elements of bands like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, John Mellencamp and even Bruce Springsteen when he plays with the E Street band. 

Happy Waitress is far from the most innovative album you will hear in 2015 but it does contain well-written songs, which feel like a throwback to classic American rock. Even the themes and lyrics feel reminiscent of the topics that bands used to sing about. 

The album opens with “London Town.” On the verse the rhythm section creates the foundation while Bavolar strategically strums his distorted electric guitar. The song is predictable yet catchy. It’s a simple, fun song that is perfect for playing at summer outdoor BBQ’s or blasting out of your car. 

I noticed on “Hey!” that the vocalist has a delivery similar to Lou Reed at times. It almost felt intentional but nonetheless sounded good and worked well with the music. They continue with songs that have a retro feel. “Just Us” is arguably the highlight. It’s just a well-crafted song and merges the classic American style with garage rock which ironically is also going through a retro phase. 

The topic of California girls being the best in the world is nothing new. The Beach Boys made it popular and Van Halen reinforced it. “Cali Girls” has the same sentiment. The vocalist sings, “Yes I’m a California Girl I got the prettiest smile in the world.” I enjoyed the slight funky job on “Miss Monroe” while the closer  “Shocked Me Dead” contains a great bass line you won’t want to miss. 

From an aesthetic standpoint Happy Waitress isn’t perfect. Some songs were noticeably louder than others and the overall mix was shy of something you would hear from a professional studio. The next logical step for Grilled Cheese would be to try and get that bump in production so it’s more competitive with the big boys. Overall, the band rocks hard and seem genuine with their intention. I'm looking forward to hearing more from the band Recommended. 
Become A Fan
bandcamp
Tweet
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band
© Divide and Conquer 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact