Local CD Review

Gran Torino
Two (26.2 Music)

Flash back, if you will, to 1997 when we reviewed Gran Torino's first CD, One. While evoking such hallowed funk names as Sly Stone, Tower of Power, and Maceo Parker, I summed up by saying, "It's an excellent piece of work that shows a cool band on its way to becoming a great one. But I think the next platter will be the bomb." Now, after two years of relentless touring and jamming, the band has released Two—and the big question is: Has Gran Torino dropped the bomb, or has it fumbled it?

Well, let's just say Two is bomb-ish. Knoxville's hardest working live band has made what sounds like a conscious decision to record a more radio-friendly disc; many of the tunes are shorter, poppier efforts. That's a smart move at this stage in the band's career, one that doesn't necessarily mean the guys have to sacrifice their core funk to "cross over." But on Two, it does make for a smooooth sound—bringing to mind influences like, oh, The Commodores and (dare I say it?) Chuck Mangione rather than the percussive gutbucket romps of J.B. or Defunkt.

Take a listen to the very first track, "Coup d'etat"—the rave-up intended to kick off the CD with a bang. Every time the workout builds up a funky sweat (listen for the "Jungle Boogie" horns), it breaks down into a light 'n' happy bridge. Things get a tad more alarming with the next track, "Phyliss"—its opening horn and guitar salvo sounding not unlike the beginning of Phil Collins' "Sussudio" (though it segues into a much better song). And—my God—is that Roger Troutman's vocoder in song #3, "Moments With You"? Whereas One proudly displayed its hardcore '70s funk inspirations, Two starts off seeming like an '80s revival—and aside from Prince, that was not a good decade in funk history.

If that's the direction Gran Torino wants to take, far be it from me to criticize the group for it—people obviously like that kind of funky, R&B pop, and G.T. does a damn good job of it. But deep in my heart I know these superb musicians are capable of even greater things. And, thank heavens, they prove it in their other songs. Cut over to "Are You Livin'" and feel the release of pent-up funk urges; the tune is one big dancefloor hook, with a throbbing bass, scissoring guitar, soaring vocals, and handclaps that keep things earthy. Same goes for instrumentals like "Interlude" and "Outro," jams that make you crank up the car stereo and drive faster.

But maybe I'm too hung up on Gran Torino assuming the heavy funk mantle—if we reconsider Two as a collection of funk-inflected pop songs, then it's really a fine album. Chris Ford's vocals have never sounded better, having discovered within himself a gritty falsetto that brings true feeling to the album's exhilarating pop songs, "Make It," "Melody Maker," "Fall from the Night," and the slinky "Days of the Tested." Likewise, the interplay between Gran Torino's eight musicians has never been more polished, and the CD itself has got to be one of the best recorded in Knoxville with crystal-clear sound and a perfect mix.

Two is undoubtedly a leap forward for Gran Torino—the album reveals a more cohesive, professional-sounding band that's worlds better than its would-be funkateer competitors. More importantly, Two proves that Gran Torino is more than just a party band—it's capable of writing jubilant singles that make you want to dance. But I do hope the guys continue to evolve until they truly find their own thang.

50 Ways To Leave Your Label

It's been a long time coming, but members of Superdrag announced this week (in an email press release) the severing of ties with their record label, Elektra. The boys in the band couldn't be reached for comment on short notice, and the release doesn't specify who initiated the final parting of ways. But those close to the band say the guys had long been dissatisfied with Elektra's promotional efforts (or lack thereof);

their lack of support for a second single off the band's debut, and the almost complete absence of marketing push behind its sophomore effort, 1997's criminally underappreciated Head Trip in Every Key.

To wit:

"We spent most of '99 in a kind of standoff with our A&R man having to do with the kind of material we were submitting (for a third album, the debate centering around a perceived lack of a radio-friendly single.)...We were more or less unwilling to compromise or change anything to please him, so we found ourselves in a totally frustrating and non-productive relationship with the record label."

The foursome apparently aren't just blowing smoke when they claim to be "pleased" about departing Elektra; word has it that the band had previously approached Elektra about severing the partnership, but that the recording monolith refused to dissolve their contract. Superdrag says they are currently being courted by several smaller labels and believe they may be able to land a deal and issue a new platter (songs for which are already mostly completed) by summer.

Get Out

Thursday: Staind with Simon Says and Tree at Moose's. Who can resist alt/heavy/grunge/noise? Not I. Boys are so cute when they're angry.

Friday: Monica Mancini with KSO Pops at Civic Auditorium. Start the weekend of love with her romantic faves. Or, if your baby has left you, blues it up with Hector Qirko at Manhattan's. Or, if you and your baby dig dance, check out The Kuumba Watota Dance and Drum Company at The Bijou.

Saturday: Pegasi 51 with Elaine and The Invisible at Patrick Sullivan's. It's been a while since we've seen Pegasi, but they make K-town rock.

Sunday: Gothic Retro '80s at Lava Lounge. Where there be Banshees.

Monday Same-sex Wedding Ceremony at the Carolyn P. Brown Memorial University Center. Seems pretty self-explanatory, but visit http://web.utk.edu/~gspn for more on this Valentine's Day celebration.

Tuesday: Retrace your steps to discover where you left your pants.

Wednesday: Short Bus at The Spot. It's a Knoxville institution.

—Zippy "Slippin' Out the Back" McDuff