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Grade

Under the Radar (1999)
Victory Records

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Contributed by: Aubin
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on February 26th 2001

I've never seen Grade before. I live in the same city they do, and it's not exactly a big one. But I've never seen them. I might have played with a few of the guys a couple years back on one of the many shows cramped in a church basement somewhere, but I've never actually met them.

Most people have heard of, and heard them though. They had a knack for taking a bit of emo, a bit of full-on hardcore, and making it work. The first time you hear screaming over a sweet melodic riff, it sounds a little weird, I admit, but somehow, it works. Kind of how Dag Nasty managed to sound good, even though they were combining two very, very different types of music

Grade more than manages to pull off this somewhat unusual collision of sounds, making it sound natural, and it makes the growls, melodic singing, and music into a coherant whole. I guess that would be an accomplishment in itself. But they don't stop there, because the songs are damn catchy. This CD has barely left my player in the last week or two, and probably won't for some time to come.

The whole album is a highlight, with each song shining on it's own. I don't know how else to describe it, but I guess that's what makes it so damn good. Not because they're from Oakville, not because they're from Canada, not because they're on Victory, but just because it's a great album, you should find yourself a copy and give it a listen.

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UnunitedSA (October 29, 2003)

Hell yeah.

Anonymous (October 9, 2003)

Whoever said they can't wait for the new album is going to have a long wait... Grade broke up in the summer of 02 due to some shitty reasons, one being their drummer now plays bass for avril lavigne, that dumb bitch. i feel truly fortunate that i got to see one of their last shows ever. Some of the members have another band, i forget the name, but it's nothing compared to the original grade.

Anonymous (April 16, 2003)

awesome album RIP - bigjerk

Devos (March 14, 2002)

These guys are without peer. This album is more or less flawless, although having heard the demo tracks for "The Tension Between Stillness and Motion" and "Stolen Bikes Ride Faster" on The Embarrassing Beginning, I think the production on the album is a little weak in comparison. For that reason alone Headfirst Straight to Hell is probably better than this. The interplay between the two guitarists is definately a highlight; second only to Frankie Stubbs and Richie Hammond of Leatherface fame.

Anonymous (November 29, 2001)

this duders are fucking incredible..a must have in my book

Anonymous (November 12, 2001)

best 'screamo' band ever in my opinion. when i first heard this album i was blown away. i just bought the new one,'headfirst straight to hell' and was blown away again. if you like these guys also check out keepsake and spare change.

Anonymous (September 16, 2001)

I love this LP, the fusion of emo and hardcore is amazing. 'When Something Goes To Your Head' and 'Seamless' just kill me every time i listen to them. A true classic.

punk_kid (August 3, 2001)

this is awesome stuff. they mix 2 opposites (hardcore/emo) and make them go together like they were ment to be that way. i cant wait for the new album. the song that ive heard off of it is a little bit harder than this stuff.

owc_bmx (August 2, 2001)

probably one of the best albums i have ever bought. every song is good.

coldjuly (July 8, 2001)

This is one of the top 5 victory releases of all time. one of the best hardcore bands around today...its good they bring something so different to the scene. go pick up seperate the magnets....fuckin rules!!!