Gramercy Riffs - It's Heartbreak 3.5/5
NXNE like it's Austin, Texas counterpart is one of the few major festivals that help focus on new and emerging artists/bands, and for bands like Gramercy Riffs, you may earn some good reviews and a little more attention than an honorable mention of the date and time of your performance.
It's Heartbreak, the band's debut record, has only helped to continue the momentum in the their favor. A solid pop-rock record that re-affirms the already positive responses to their live performances, full of energy, and songs about love and heartache. For a relatively new band, their music shows the maturity of a band that's come a long way from their St. John's, Newfoundland beginnings to their establishment on the Toronto music scene.
Mara Pellerin's vocals are one of the highlights like on the striking yet simple pop-rock of "Dreaming", or the grittier rock of "Call Me". Though not as strong, guitarist Lee Hanlon still controls the microphone with relative success, like "Silent Walls & Siren Calls". Though It's Heartbreak isn't big on experimental sounds or epic rock anthems, the band maintains their energy and even finds a bit of playfulness with elements of rockabilly on "Seventeen" and "The Freezedown". Solid arrangements, dual vocals and genuine energy make for a good time whether on your ipod or live in concert.
Download: Dreaming
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