Friday, February 10, 2012

Album Review: The Explorers Club - Grand Hotel

It has taken almost four years, but Charleston, SC, pop band The Explorers Club have returned with their sophomore album Grand Hotel.

The band laid their foundation with their debut album Freedom Wind, which unabashedly harkened back to classic 1960s and 1970s pop arrangements and harmonies while remaining fresh and exciting. The new album, Grand Hotel, builds on that foundation.

From note one, the album transports one to the Pacific Coast with the lush intro "Acapulco (Sunrise)" before ripping into a pair of rip-roaring catchy tunes "Run Run Run" and "Anticipatin'."

The band show off their rock side more on Grand Hotel, including the instrumental title track with blaring horns that immediately conjure up the thought of old 8 millimeter surf films and the frantic "I've Been Waiting."

The vocals are amazing on the album's slower numbers "Summer Days, Summer Nights," "Weight of the World" and the especially amazing "It's You." The band's incredible sense of harmony is stunning.

Grand Hotel is an incredible offering from one of the most skilled bands and songwriters around these days. You won't regret the 40 minutes you'll spend with these 15 songs.

Grand Hotel is officially out on February 14 and the band will play the Casbah in Durham on Saturday, February 11. North Elementary and The Wigg Report will open.

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