Soul Asylum
Grave Dancers Union

I begin this 2006 of reviews with a very good album by an excellent band that unfortunately has been forgotten too quickly. The Soul Asylum of David Pirner, originally from Minnesota, released what would be their best-selling album in 1992, just after their transition to Major Columbia Sony records. Known, perhaps, by many for some successful singles such as "Misery" and "Runaway Train" (included in this album), Soul Asylum has always stood out in all their albums for good songwriting skills, excellent melody, and the ability to create beautiful rock songs, perhaps simple and radio-friendly but still appealing.

The best to date is all on this "Grave Dancers Union." The already mentioned "Runaway Train," which at the time was released accompanied by a serious and touching video about missing children. When it was released, the video contained images and photos of boys and girls who had actually gone missing in the areas where the video was then broadcast. Their rock is nothing new under the sun, but it is honest, well-played, varied, and supported by David Pirner's excellent voice, now raspy and rough, now sweet and melodic.

Thus, we find two excellent songs "New World" and "The Sun Maid" with a folk-rock flavor, the first enriched by an excellent string arrangement that offers delicate and dawning atmospheres; while the second enriched by the presence of brass together with the almost whispered singing, sounds like a relaxing lullaby. But there's more; there's also the semi-punk-rock "Somebody to Shove" that pairs with "Get on Out" or the Zeppelin-like "April Fool," which boasts a really captivating riff that persistently repeats throughout the song. Another noteworthy song is "99%", which, thanks to the filtered voice and well-distorted guitar, almost reaches the definition of noise-rock. Then, in my opinion, there's a little gem of melody, intensity, and joy, "Without a Trace," built around the dialogue between acoustic and electric guitars, syncopated drums in the chorus, and keyboard inserts that give the whole song great brightness.

If you only know them by name, this album is a good appetizer while waiting to hear something new from a good band that, after several problems and eight years of absence, should release something new by March 2006.