Album Mini-review: Grizfolk — Waking Up the Giants
File next to: Coldplay, The Mary Onettes, thenewno2
Swedish acts from across the musical spectrum have made critical (and commercial) inroads into the North American market of late. Though these days the five-piece alternarock group is based in Los Angeles, their Scandinavian roots shine through. Their sound takes the modern pop vibe of fellow Swedes The Mary Onettes, adds a dollop of ABBA melodic sensibility, and puts it all on a solid pop-rock foundation. They’ve been busy: in two and half years, they’ve managed a trio of EPs (including a live set), twelve mini-tours, and Waking Up the Giants, their first full-length. Though the disc recycles material from those EPs (themselves somewhat redundant), if it takes multiple reissues to get their appealing music in front of a wider audience, there’s no shame in that. With a heavy tour schedule, they’re clearly aiming to build a US audience.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.