With this, their third album in less than two years, Ottawa-via-Halifax’s The Grass offer forth their most focused collection yet.  With significantly improved production and a considerably refined sound, Report All Ghosts is a jubilant journey which explores and (sometimes) reinterprets the touchstones of psychedelia and Americana which they unabashedly draw their inspiration from.  Opening song “Crossfire” sets the standard, meshing the Kinks, Beatles and Rolling Stones before launching into the refrain from Sweet Sweetback’s Badasssss Song midway.  Standout track “Shiny New Rifle” ventures more into hoedown territory, complete with sloppily timed group singing and scratchy violin.  While previous efforts came off as a little bit too unpolished, the same lack of shine has been harnessed on Report All Ghosts to create an occasionally quirky, joyous sound.  Usually sticking pretty tightly to Exile On Main Street, The Grass dwell in rather safe territory, though they do so with a certain degree of drunken style.

By Peter Bradley
Jun 11, 2008