Who? Londoners Lawrence “La” Rudd and Rupert Lyddon make up Grand National, the soundtrack of nightlife from 3 A.M. to just after sunrise. Rudd sang in a Police cover band when he was just 13, and his vocal inflection maintains the stoic poise of Sting, allowing for emotion without elevating the pitch. Sophomore album A Drink and a Quick Decision is available now for online download via NYC’s Recall imprint, while the traditional format drops this September.
What’s the Deal? Grand National set the pace with their intoxicating 2004 debut, Kicking the National Habit, but the electro pint glass has since raised higher. A Drink and a Quick Decision caters to summertime radio listeners as well as astute hipsters, creating mindful electronic music for both dancing and window shopping. Lead single “By The Time I Get Home…” sounds where Ian Brown should have gone after Golden Greats, with baby ass-smooth synth lines propelled by a synthetic Caribbean steel plate hook and Lower East Side street-walkin’ attitude. Grand National mixes doses of Madchester, house and the romantic-pop of ’80s new wave. It’s progressive dance music with a soul.
Fun Fact: Rupert Lyddon befriended Primal Scream after delivering meat to their flat during the recording sessions for 2000’s studio long-player, XTRMNTR. MICHAEL MAROTTA
Now Hear This:
Grand National – “Animal Sounds” DOWNLOAD MP3
Now Watch This: Grand National – “Drink to Moving On” https://www.youtube.com/embed/my2Kyae7m6M
On the Web:
Grand National at MySpace
Talk: What’s sexier, the music or the legs on the A Drink and a Quick Decision album cover?
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