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REVIEWS:
CMJ New Music Report, Issue: 608 - Mar 8, 1999 Bill Whitten, whose former band, St. Johnny, mixed the slacker, indie rock style of Dinosaur Jr with the jokey self-consciousness of Ween, is the driving force behind Grand Mal. On the flamboyant Maledictions, though, Whitten dives headlong into glittery guitar rock, taking every last bit of his tragically hip, smart-aleck personality with it. Imagine J. Mascis fronting Mott The Hoople (!) and you'll be alarmingly close to the sonic feel of Grand Mal. As dangerously clever Whitten and the band sound, they still create thoroughly rewarding rock songs. Maledictions' riffs chug along with the decadent laziness of '70s rock superstars mixed with the grit of long-time punk rockers. Glam rock has always been terribly self-aware -- Grand Mal just gives it a much-needed, ironic smirk. -Cheryl Botchick |
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