Grampall Jookabox - Scientific Crickett

Grampall Jookabox
Scientific Cricket
(07.2007, Joyful Noise)
8.0/10

Grampall Jookabox is an eclectic duo playing hodge podge folk of unmatched energy and absurdity. On their debut release, Scientific Cricket, the band rips and tears through an albums worth of sugar addled experiments that somehow form an accessible pop edge. This outcome is a pleasant surprise seeing as how the band seems to be composing the songs by the seat of their pants, staggering from track to track with reckless abandon. The fervor is catchy and the oddball melodies and vocals build upon each other to form some sincerely appeasing songs. Comparisons to Animal Collective, Annuals or Akron Family could all be made appropriately but there is something distinctly unique here that separates Grampall Jookabox from the standard freak folk crowd. At least a part of this must be attributed to the juvenile innocence (occasionally teetering on the brink of annoyance) that makes the songs feel like you are hearing them for the very first time as if they are being spontaneously played by some genius inspiration. While a majority of tracks work this way there are definitely a couple that fall flat following the same formula minus the genius inspiration. The other most identifiable aesthetic that separates Grampall Jookabox from the crowd is an absolute disregard for recording quality. Grouping recordings that hail from bedrooms to city alleys to backyards to who knows where else and packing it all into the same track, Scientific Cricket is the definition of lo-fi. While the disjointed, multi-faceted nature of Grampall Jookabox’s music doesn’t necessarily lend itself to unity, Scientific Cricket somehow manages to be a complete and fulfilling statement of the beauty of naive excitement.

-Mr. Thistle

Grampall Jookabox - Ponta