Grand National
'Kicking The National Habit' introduced Grand National to the world in a hale of post-punk plaudits. Since then the band have filled their time by touring the UK, Europe and America and releasing a compendium of B-Sides and rarities, before de-camping to France to start work on their second album proper; fuelling their creative juices with some fine red wine on the banks of the Seine. 'A Drink & A Quick Decision' is the outcome, and cements the band's place in the form guide as odds on favourites to provide the soundtrack to early 2008.
Wistful melancholia, iridescent guitar riffs and bittersweet symphonies provide the backdrop for singer Lawrence 'La' Rudd's ethereal vocals, on an album that once again rewards repeated listens. Making the kind of pop music that any discerning music lover would be happy to see dominate the charts this spring, there are numerous influences that go into a Grand National record. From indie to electro to post-punk-pop, the duo's ability to twin solid songwriting sensibilities with tight electronic productions has resulted in debut LP 'Kicking The National Habit' being heralded a national treasure.
Made up of Rupert Lyddon and Lawrence 'La' Rudd, the Grand National sound is that of a fully-fledged band, a singer / song-writer / multi-instrumentalist combination that belies the fact that they are a duo. Influenced by the likes of new wave '80s bands such as New Order and Joy Division, Grand National display a 21st century styling that places them squarely in London's eclectic and varied music scene, with a sound that is as cutting edge as it is retro.
www.myspace.com/grand_national