Dime

Gramma

Q

To the unfamiliar, Gramma is a band from our beloved Minneapolis with a strong DIY ethos. This ethos shines through with the band’s raw sound, and this is no different than with their newest release, “Dime.” The album starts strong, with the energetic track “The Great Semi,” carried along by a couple of simple yet compelling alternating riffs. This track is followed by my personal favorite, “Icebox.” I really enjoyed this one for the almost familiar quality it had in its guitar riffs and the two-part structure. It is an all-around fun track with a first half that is particularly upbeat, and a second half that is much heavier and maybe a bit grungy.

The album features distorted vocals, which can at times blend with the distorted guitar on certain songs, making it a bit hard to make out the lyrics. The distortion on the vocals does, however, generally aid the songs more than it hurts them, and thus works pretty well. The drums sound nice and punchy, leading to some very satisfying and fast-paced beats. The fairly clean bass tone helps to separate it in the mix from the guitar, allowing the listener to more readily appreciate the work it does.

Each track on here gives a complete and enjoyable experience comparable to other releases from this band. They all have their own character and sound, keeping the album from getting boring or too similar. A worthwhile experience for those who are into the DIY rock sound or happen to be listeners of Gramma.