Review: "A Modern Tragedy Vol. 3 - EP" by grandson

Watching the last almost two years of grandson's rise and explosion has been one of the more interesting careers in music in a long time. It's been some time since I can remember an explicitly, politically-based group really hit the scene and do it well. The obvious more recent example is Rage Against The Machine, but I have a hard time thinking of acts who have come after them up till now who have made a real political stand in a fresh way. For example - I was really excited about Fever 333 and their sound after listening to "Made An America" and "Burn It", but most of their full length felt (unfortunately) familiar. Prophets of Rage are another intriguing group that tap into political angst and dissatisfaction, but is also actually made up of former members of Rage Against The Machine, so it feels a bit like a continuation of that legacy.

Where grandson differs for me is the range displayed in the three EP's that comprise the "A Modern Tragedy" series. With each release, I've felt like I can know what to expect going into each release in terms of the sound and direction. With each release, I've found myself equally surprised and impressed at what grandson was able to cook up. "Vol. 3" is the best example of that - the range and variety displayed within 5 songs is still astounding as I listen through two weeks later. "Rock Bottom" feels the most predictable - in the best possible sense - with the sort of sound, message, and energy that feels comfortable for grandson. That doesn't detract from the strength of the song in the slightest - vocalist Jordan continues his stellar streak of lyrical storytelling, guiding the listener through the journey he faced in pursuing his music career and his drive towards changing the political system and those in charge. "Oh No!!!" and "Die Young" are mixes of that familiar space while also venturing into new territories. The former is one of my favorites that grandson has put out, excellently mixing low and highs to create a rollercoaster of an intense song. The build of the bridge and the brutal-ness of the drop makes it impossible for your blood to not race with the song. The later is easily the heaviest, grittiest, most raw song that the group has put out to date - that much is clear from the first few moments of the song. The momentum continues throughout, especially for the absolute insanity of a chorus - comprised of electronic wobbles, machine-gun rattling drum machine, and piercing guitar tones. It's a fitting way to end the last EP of this series; with as much of a bang as it started.

This EP really shines in the middle, which feels like an odd thing to say - often artists place their strongest songs in the beginning and sometimes at the end for a strong finish. "Put Me Under" and "Destroy Me" are the most vulnerable songs of the release, and some of the best indicators of growth from the group. "Destroy Me" especially demonstrates this, with its stripped down nature and pretty yet haunting tones. It feels like the most intimate moment of the release, the closest we see to the people who comprise this act and group. The best word to describe it is beautiful - this is an achievement for the band. "Put Me Under" explores the idea of wanting to escape, being unable to deal with reality and the overwhelming sense the current state of the world can bring. It does all of this with a truly epic and sweeping sound, the chorus being one of my favorite musical moments grandson has ever done. The emotional vulnerability is conveyed through all aspects of the song in that moment, and it still gives me chills listening to it now.

The main takeaway I find with this release is that there are more layers and dimensions to this group than I expected. It's not just a politically motivated act - these are human beings with human feelings that are struggling through life just the same as the rest of us. Despite the angst and desire to create change that we have seen so much of through the last two years of grandson, this EP is a testament to the difficulty people face when trying to live in today's world, a reminder that things aren't always easy and often can be hard, but that we all share these experiences and feelings and can face them together.

Saying I'm excited for what is to come is an understatement. grandson's journey is really just beginning.