By Juliet Kozlow

The Griswolds are on track to blow up. They’ve been making a name for themselves on the festival circuit, having performed at stateside festivals such as Lollapalooza, Firefly, and Hangout Fest earlier this year and Big Day Out and London Calling overseas and down under. They have been relentlessly touring through the US and just finished their run with Miniature Tigers and Finish Ticket earlier this week. Their debut album, Be Impressive, is out on 8/25, there’s no way that they aren’t right on track for popularity.

The opening track “16 Years” is the perfect start for this album. It tells of trying to find a place that feels like home and a way to be happy while knowing that there’s no turning back now and figuring out how to deal with the experiences that have occurred during the time frame. It’s set to The Griswolds’ practically trademark sunny music and vocals combo and clearly defines what the listener is getting into with the rest of the album.

“Right On Track” sounds like a song about getting back in touch with oneself and relearning how to live life in a way that is productive for one’s personal goals. It continues to give the album a strong start with vocals that echo and it’s loud in the best way- the keys keep a jarring presence in the song without it becoming overwhelming or distracting. “Beware the Dog” has been getting so much radio play (locally, at least) and it’s still not overplayed. A sunny song with lyrics telling of a crazy ex girlfriend who “used to suck the life outta me” because of her lethargic change in personality. It’s a single that couldn’t be annoying if it tried and it’ll become a staple to mix CDs and playlists, at least for me.

“If You Wanna Stay” is a short and sweet, formidable live song- absolutely impossible to keep toes from tapping and hands from clapping along. “Down and Out” continues to showcase The Griswold’s ability to write about difficult things to talk about without needing to make a slow, mournful ballad. In fact, they back up the vocals with bright voices that sound like a children’s choir.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUIgwPC_UP8[/youtube]

Title track “Be Impressive” has the childlike voices of “Down and Out” chanting out the name and, once again, providing backup throughout the song. It brings the listener back to the free, loose mindset of childhood in the verses, but the choruses seem to tell another story. It’s one of the more addictive tracks to listen to and easy to hit repeat on. “Live This Nightmare” is a calmer track- it drops the flash of other songs (at least at the start) to show off some jazzy influences. The end is, without irony, my favorite part. There’s a sense of unraveling from the instruments as each winds down and it completes the song quietly and in the best way.

“America” skips out on postage to be a reassuring musical letter back home to friends worried about how they’re doing that The Griswolds are well and thriving. As “Thread The Needle” begins, a string section adds a beautiful, melancholic tone that weaves over and under their usual instruments seamlessly. During the last minute and a half, it reflects on memories from the past and talks about things that appear to be comforts and a reminder of home. It’d be the perfect surprise encore after a twenty song set on a future world tour. “Aurora Borealis” is bitter and intricate and works as an upbeat filler track between “Thread The Needle” and the final track, “Not Ready Anymore.”

The eleventh track, “Not Ready Anymore,” showcases The Griswold’s ability to arrange a song and allow it to transition between slow and fast and fun and sorrowful without it ever sounding like too much.  Choruses wind up the energy and verses give a time to relax and reflect before a gorgeous instrumental (plus whistling) break- the final fade out signifies the end of a strong debut album.

The Griswolds know how to write earworms and songs that sound so sunny and positive, they’re difficult to dislike. Lyrically, they’ve mastered the ability to tell stories that are engaging and interesting- the only downside is at times on the recorded versions, it’s difficult to understand due to a lack of enunciation. But, when you’re popping in an album to listen to on the way to the preserves where you’re sneaking a BBQ with your friends- that’s definitely a minor issue in the scheme of things.

Standout Tracks:

1. If You Wanna Stay

2. Thread The Needle

3. Beware The Dog

Keep up with the band on Facebook!