Grandaddy - Sumday (V2, 2003)

Grandaddy
Sumday
V2
2003

Rating: 9 Stocktonians out of 10

This is my album of the summer, and possibly even the year. In this triumphant return from their amazing second full length "The Sophtware Slump", we find Grandaddy in fine form – picking up right where they left off sound-wise but a little more cheerful and optimistic this go around. They’re still pretty concerned and obsessed with the impending encroachment of machinery and automation and all that jazz, only they’ve now either resided themselves to their fate or see a silver lining to the dark clouds. Not much has changed with their sound (I still say they’re the Electric Light Orchestra for the 21st century, and if you think that’s an insult you clearly need to go back and listen to more ELO, Jeff Lynne was a genius), but why mess with it if it ain’t broken? Once these beautifully harmonious and catchy tunes enter your ear canals there will be no turning back – like a virus, you’ll be infected with the need to listen to the album over and over and over. That's how viruses work right? You listen to them obsessively?