CD Review by Doug Cornell

Every now and then an album shows up that is completely unexpected.  The Arcade Fire's Funeral, Twin Cinemas by the New Pornographers, or Neko Case's Fox Confessor Brings the Flood are so completely out of the scope of modern commercial music that they will be remembered as period masterpieces by yet unborn generations of music fans.

Only time will tell if Gram Rabbit's long-player, Cultivation, possesses the sort of innovation that inspires legions of copycat recordings, but suffice to say, this is one very interesting recording. 

Gram Rabbit, a four piece outfit, is fronted by the chameleon-like Jessica von Rabbit.  Von Rabbit is blessed with the vocal versatility of someone like Siouxsie Sioux, with her voice alternating from a come-hither sultry sound to alt-rock sing/screams.  The band mixes things up with guitars, samples, marching-tempos, and above all, plenty of energy.  While Cultivation is a long way from being a punk album, it has an angry edge that is just hidden below the surface.

A slinky bass beat and slamming electric guitars open the album on the title track.  Von Rabbit's androgynous voice is accompanied by clever "woo-woos," then the wall of sound is displaced by windy sound effects.  Spaghetti western guitars (OH YEA!) are blessed with the emergence of a far-away trumpet, then the bass and guitar start all over again.

The beat is bouncy in a cheer-leading sort of style in "Bloody Bonnies,  Superficiality," which features slamming guitars and cheesy keyboards.  Switching gears into what can only be described as a Moody Blues inspired sound, "Angel Song" provides guitarist/bassist Todd Rutherford a chance at the lead vocals. Not all is sweet and smooth, as the strange melodies and timings of "Charlie's Kids" create a difficult segue into the complex, clever, and very enjoyable "Paper Heart," in which strings and percussion are used as a backdrop for some oddly melodic yet engaging vocals.

Gram Rabbit are not easly pigeonholed.  The band can segue from Wall of Voodoo guitar melodies to slamming rock in a heartbeat ("Slopoke"), then switch gears in what might be an attempt at a religious theme ("Jesus and I").  Don't worry - I heard this tune ten times before I began to wonder about its content.

You've gotta like songs with titles like "Crossing Guards With Guns," or "Hares Don't Have Tea."  There's even a beautiful piano ballad "Follow Your Heart."

For the listener who seeks challenging melodies and song structures, Cultivation is right up your alley.  Gram Rabbit are quirky yet enjoyable.  Highly recommended.