Grand Volume - Send Me Your Champion

Bombast seems to be the goal here and Grand Volume don't do badly at courting exactly that adjective. However, self-styled comparisons with Soundgarden are maybe less accurate than the likes of later grunge also-rans Send No Flowers and Redwood. The slightly over-earnest vocals bear the inoffensive mild-English husk we've come to expect from such groups and lack the charisma of Cornell or many of the other '90s influences on display. Judged on its own merits, however, it's a fairly solid effort, containing a few strong potential singles; Send Me Your Champion also boasts an intelligent mix of post-hardcore savvy and progressive sensibilities. Sadly, with one member playing both drums and bass (and presumably only possessing two arms), Grand Volume would seem to be primarily a studio band and the album at times lacks a certain organic warmth. As to whether the ingredients come together in the live arena remains to be seen. [Peter O'Hanrahanrahan]