Barely out of their teens, the indie poppers from Perth have released their second album under the guidance of producer Steve Schram. Gracetown follows the band’s successful self-titled debut album, their debut included the singles “Awkward” and “Golden Revolver” songs that gave the band success across their native Australia and around the globe. Gracetown pushes San Cisco’s sound in new directions without losing the charm and fun heard on their debut album.
The band was heavily hands on in the recording process for the album, a move they said “helped them gain a stronger connection to the songs,” and is something that is heard throughout the album. While on tour the members of San Cisco found themselves with plenty of spare time, which allowed for the band to work on the songs for Gracetown. Gracetown in, turn, shows a more mature sound, but this does not see the band lose the fun, playful, and tongue-in-cheek elements which were integral to the success of their debut.
San Cisco’s love and devotion to pop music is clearly heard on the album, all the songs on the album are upbeat and are full of playful harmonies, bouncy bass lines, and rhythm section that makes you want to dance. Most of the songs come in under three minutes, exemplifying the quick, easy, but thoroughly enjoyable pop elements the band have brought together for their sound.
Lyrically the album is what you would expect from a young band who have just left their teens. There is lot’s of yearning for the opposite sex, talk of high school, and a heap of nostalgia for moments past. The consistent themes is where the band finds their strengths but also makes the album seem to drag as little else is explored by the band lyrically.
Pop gems on the album such as “Run,” “Too Much Time Together,” and “Wash It All Away” don’t shy away from the band’s pop sound, and are where the band really finds their feet. The bluesy experimentation “Jealousy” featuring Isabella Manfredi from The Preatures, and the spaced acoustic track “Skool” show the band toying with different sounds and ideas. It is however, the more upbeat songs that see the band sounding their most confident.
Gracetown builds on the band’s success from their debut and moves them to a more mature sounds, without making them feel pop is a dirty word. The album can be considered a concise and well thought out piece of work from the band, which will ultimately make it another popular album amongst new and old fans of the young band.