The Grates return (finally)

So the Grates sophomore album Teeth Lost, Hearts Won is FINALLY available here in the States after an inordinately, ridiculously long wait. After being released in their homeland down under over a year ago, the album finally moves north of the equator and you no longer have to pay an exorbitant sum for the import. On top of that, you can catch them live if you live in the western part of the country, as they'll be on tour through the end of October.

Their first album hit me like TWO tons of bricks, honestly. And two years later, it still retains a berth in my car (case and all, not just the disc) to listen to on the road as it moves me like few others. That being said, I've been not so patiently waiting for this album to hit American shelves. It doesn't disappoint, and it certainly isn't a carbon copy of the first either. While it retains that sense of everlasting energy which Patience exudes so well, it doesn't completely rely on those bombastic vocal and instrumental hooks which were in virtually every song on the first album. Instead, I daresay they've developed some depth melodically. I know, that M word makes you cringe when it comes to a band like the Grates, but in this case, it shows some welcome development and stagnation avoidation. Don't get me wrong; that's not to say that they haven't stamped their distinctive mark all over the album. Just check out the album opened below and you'll know with certainty that they're back. Then compare it to the much older Message and you'll see what I'm talking about

The Grates - Burn Bridges : Teeth Lost, Hearts Won

and an old favorite:

The Grates - Message : The Ouch. The Touch.

Visit their website, their label Dew Process Records, and become their friend on MySpace.

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Upcoming Tour Dates

9/18 Phoenix , AZ - The Rhythm Room with Most Serene Republic
9/19 Los Angeles , CA - Silverlake Lounge with Most Serene Republic
10/8 Little Rock , AR - White Water Tavern with Those Darlins
10/9 Norman , OK - The Opolis with Those Darlins
10/10 Lawrence , KS - Jackpot Music Hall with Those Darlins
10/14 Salt Lake City , UT - Kilby Court with Those Darlins
10/16 Seattle , WA - Sunset Tavern with Those Darlins
10/18 Eugene , OR – Sam Bonds Garage with Those Darlins
10/20 San Francisco , CA – The Rickshaw Stop with Those Darlins
10/27 Albuquerque , NM – Launch Pad with Those Darlins
10/29 Dallas , TX – The Cavern with Those Darlins
10/30 Austin , TX – The Continental Club with Those Darlins