Grain USA: Over the Counter Culture
(Disposable Pop Revolution)

Grain USA play some damn fine pop music, cowbells and all. Sharp harmonies, tight drumming and crisp guitar playing come together infectiously on this four song EP. Though not quite matching the catchiness of the earlier single “Billboard,” Over The Counter Culture still gets your foot tapping and your head bobbing. And that seems to be the only effect they want to have. These aren’t songs written to change the world. “Close,” is about confessing a secret crush and has a bouncing bass line to match the quickening pulse of such a moment. “Insomnia,” simply enough, is about not being able to sleep. Truly pop songs. So far, they’ve been putting their music out a few songs at a time -- a single here, an EP there -- and that might be the best approach. Too many of these songs in a row could send you into a diabetic shock. As for now, Over the Counter Culture is just the right dosage.

7 Blips out of 10
 
By Bob Canning