Album review: THE GRAFENBERG DISCIPLES – Johnny On The Spot

August 16th, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

THE GRAFENBERG DISCIPLES - Johnny On The Spot

The Highlander Company Records [Release date 02.07.21]

The opening track of this album really sets the scene and the influences. Sounding like a mash up of something by Level 42, Phil Collins’ ‘Another Day In Paradise;’ and Roachford the controls are firmly set for the eighties. Nothing wrong with that, especially when you are a lapsed soul boy.

The band are California based and essentially a duo – bassist/producer Bob Madsen (41Point9) and singer Hans Eberbach – although they have heavyweight help on drums in the shape of Gregg Bissonnette. There’s a definite West Coast/AOR feel too.

‘The Man Who Would Be King’ has more funk bass rhythm that puts the dynamic duo on a trajectory that includes Swedish pop funksters Dirty Loops although also again referencing Level 42. There’s a nifty sax solo on this – if all too brief - and, really, on this evidence the band need to come up with a full pelt sax-led instrumental to assert their credentials.

There’s a lot to like about this album, and it promises much, but my only reservation is that the songs are a little ordinary, there’s too much déjà vu, and maybe a little more instrumental stretching out would have helped.

‘No Words’ for example overstays its welcome and ‘A Madmen’s Lullaby’ is very average although showing glimpses of great musicianship in the instrumental breaks. ‘The Girl With The Broken Smile’ is pleasant if perfunctory. Moreover, the band sometimes don’t know whether to go the funk route or rub shoulders with Huey Lewis. It’s all a bit disconcerting.

Maybe this inconsistency will be sorted for the follow up, although the eclecticism will appeal to some. ***1/2

Review by David Randall

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