Frank Grimaldi Releases Balance

Artist: Frank Grimaldi
Title: Balance
Genre: Rock-Pop-Alternative
Label: Emphatic Records

Frank Grimaldi’s brand of alternative pop is both humorous and dark. He uses himself as an example for the range of human emotions in a carefully crafted musical Balance to get his point over to the listener. The CD cover pictures Grimaldi as an ancient Greek messenger. His history may not go back that far and the songs titles do not indicate an ancestry that predates the first Olympics, however, it applies to the world we live in today.

When Grimaldi brings his voice down to the lower register it reminds me of the rock ‘n’ roll chameleon David Bowie. The changes and paces he puts the Vox Humana through take a little getting used to but it does grow on you as the album plays through.

Perhaps the most striking and surprising take on the proverbial look in the mirror is what grabs you the most. All of us that have been the victim to the character defect of hypocrisy and tracks like "Faggotry Personified," are certainly blatantly honest. I am sure the singer really does not actually characterize this ugly state of being; he is merely talking about all of the hideous results of being that way. It is an eye opener for sure. Here is the first verse- I live in a glass house/I’m the cat that called the kettle black/ I’m your closest enemy/I’m the fattest monkey on your back. Now you can get a clearer picture of why I am pointing this particular song out. That is not the only song that rips and tears at the fiber of your being, there is much more in the 14 tracks on this CD.

The musical styles range from rock to electronica sounds then to rap, which is quite an array of styles, and its all done very well. Is this different? Yes, without a doubt. While the music is not anything new and revelatory, it is energetic and enjoyable. The lyrics sting like a pissed off scorpion and the music sounds like a backdrop to life’s stage, reminding us we are all just actors playing our roles in daily life.

© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck-http://www.muzikreviews.com

December 28, 2004

Rating-7.5/10

01. City Walls (4:46)
02. The Right Thing (3:34)
03. Bad Habits (3:26)
04. Blueprint (3:25)
05. One Night Kiss (4:13)
06. Paris Is A Lonely Town (3:35)
07. Faggotry Personified (3:54)
08. Love Is Not The Same (What Am I Doing In this Bed?) (3:50)
09. Incident On Hicks Street ( I Went Away) (3:33)
10. Everywhere I Go (There I AM) (3:48)
11. The Same Mistake (3:41)
12. Shut Up & Listen (1:08)
13. Fighting In My Sleep (3:17)
14. Our One Saving Grace (4:10)

Credits:

Frank Grimaldi –Vocal, Background Vocals, Keyboard & Bass Guitar
Deian McBryde, Kevin Hannan & Marcus Hutcheson – Background Vocals
Barry Goldstein – Keyboard, Electric Sitar & Guitar
Chieli Minucci – Rhythm & Lead Guitar
David Adler – Rhythm Guitar
Stephan Crump – Stand-up Bass
Dom Richards – Electric Bass
John Favicchia –Drums
Damian Bassman –Drums
Luis Bonilla –Trombone
Soce, the elemental Wizard – Rap

Emphatic Records Website
Label Website