Grand Atlantic Releases "Carved From Stone" MP3

Sept. 27, 2011 - PRLog -- BRISBANE, Australia (Sept. 27, 2011) - When you put someone up on a pedestal, they're bound to fall. This realization is central to Brisbane rock quartet, Grand Atlantic's latest single, "Carved From Stone". "We all have people that we look up to, especially when we were kids, but as we get older we realize that people are all the same and everyone has their struggles and makes mistakes," says frontman Phil Usher. "I wrote this song after being let down by someone I looked up to in my personal life.  I guess realizing that we are all only human is part of growing into adulthood and helps us to become independent." "Carved From Stone," with its bending guitar motif and ringing echoes, embraces psychedelia without losing pop touches like layered vocals and the all-important hook, "thought you were carved from stone". The track can be found on Grand Atlantic's upcoming album, Constellations and can be downloaded now at: http://glgpub.com/file_download/233/Grand-Atlantic-Carved-From-Stone.mp3

Stepping off the map into new territory is a daunting prospect, especially when, as is the case with Brisbane's Grand Atlantic, your previous approach has been so successful. Their third album, Constellations, represents a change in line-up, writing process, recording, and location. Recorded in Seacliff Lunatic Asylum in Dunedin, New Zealand, for all intents and purposes, the end of the world, Constellations is already outstripping the interest their first two albums had, with only a taste of it available to fans as of yet. You'll still get that riff and jangle, but with a lo-fi pop minimalist sound reminiscent of Velvet Underground. Many of the album's tracks were recorded live, something the ever-touring band could easily do since constant touring and rehearsing have honed their skills to a razor-sharp edge. "It was great to have the confidence to do some of the album live as well," says frontman Phil Usher. "It really brings another dimension to the album and some of it is really fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of stuff." Grand Atlantic's Constellations will be released November 1, 2011

Constellations, which was recorded in 12 days of nearly solid recording, moves away from Grand Atlantic's  previous power-pop into something less direct, a fuzzy, dreamy, slightly psychedelic world of sound, its beating heart urgent and undeniable. The band is content to let the music build and peak, unhurriedly but with total control. Intimate and yet anthemic, these songs bend and fold, stretch out and explode, mutating swirling guitar rock into sonic landscapes that recall the contours of the equally beautiful and punishing New Zealand countryside where their album was recorded.

Much like the Grand Atlantic Hotel, which the band is named after, Australia's Grand Atlantic possesses a mysterious and ghostly quality. As frontman Phil Usher, explains, "Primarily we picked the name because we felt it represented the sound we wanted to make and liked the sound of it, but the fact that it is tied to history does resound with us personally as well. We are also inspired by the way music was made in the past as well as the techniques and sounds that were used. I guess we'd like to think that we are making music that will stand up in the future."

Following this historical and ghostly trend, when the band bunkered down in Seacliff Lunatic Asylum, they felt the history of the place, quite literally. As Usher describes, "We had a few strange experiences while we were there - hearing voices during takes, strange sounds, and we also saw a microphone stand move like someone knocked it."


Praise for Grand Atlantic
 "We've loved this fabulous foursome for several years now and can't wait for their next album to come ashore." -Powerpopulist

 "GA have a sophomore album on their hands that not only manages to better the debut, but also demonstrates admirable artistic progress and world-stage potential."--Rave Magazine

 "Grand Atlantic's second full-length album is a fairly chock-full plate of pop rock, with big sounds, singalong hooks and catchy melodies... How We Survive is a masterfully crafted record."--Time Off Magazine

 "...From rocking opener Coast is Clear to reserved closer Don't Say Goodnight, the whole album has a breezy Californian sound that recalls songs like Hole's Malibu. Melody reigns throughout, with better tracks like She's a Dreamer and These Are The Times sounding like on-form Evan Dando or Dandy Warhols... How We Survive is a lot of fun." --BEAT Magazine

 "...the power-pop treat that is How We Survive, (is) bristling with muscular but always melodic tunes...the towering Coast Is Clear gives Oasis a run for their money as a big-guitar rock song...Grand Atlantic's latest album delivers."--Courier Mail

 "Here, Usher and Co. has developed a physically burly album, one that is raucous and forceful but also, one that is filled with terrific imagery and important lessons...combining hooks that bite with a tenacious amount of flavor and instruments that are shined, polished and ready to take off."--Bryan Sanchez, Delusions of Adequacy

 "We're falling in love with the South Pacific this year... and I've found another gem in Australia's Grand Atlantic... There's a little bit of fuzz in their sound, which recalls Teenage Fanclub or the lesser known band, The Comas. But, [Tripwires] reminds me a lot of Dandy Warhols."--SXSW Watchlist on Austin Town Hall

 "With the break-up of the brothers Gallagher - I now pass the torch over to Phil Usher and Mat Von Diehm. Viva Grand Atlantic!"--Powerpopaholic

 "Harkening back to two of our favorite bands, Sub Pop's Love Battery and Creation's Swervedriver, Australia's Grand Atlantic make pure unabashed rock...we suggest you buckle up now and jump on this train before it becomes bandwagonesque."--Your New Favorite Band on The Dumbing of America

 "Grand Atlantic has a sound along the lines of Carolina Liar or O.A.R., masterfully blending driving modern rock riffs with smart pop hooks and spot on harmonies..."--Bill's Music Forum

 "This is absolutely hypnotic, mind-numbingly good sixties-flavored alt pop of the sort the entire world needs to pay attention to..."--Ripple Music
 SXSW Promo #1 (2/10/10)--Waved Rumor

 "Grand Atlantic gives you a decidedly post-punk influenced garage sound that fits these American ears just fine, thank you!..."--The Love Shack Baby

 "No duds here, and most certainly no sophomore jinx..."--Absolute Power Pop

 "This is the excellent album Oasis should have done after What's the Story Morning Glory but didn't..."--Lucid Culture

 "...most of the songs recall the time when bands like Teenage Fanclub, the Posies, Redd Kross and Velvet Crush made power pop with enough sonic muscle to rival the grunge bands..."--underneathica

 "From the outset its obvious Grand Atlantic can pen a pretty good tune. The album rips open with Coast is Clear and its fuzzy guitar driven feel sets up the rest of album nicely... Grand Atlantic sure know how to write songs choc full of guitar driven rock/pop dynamics..."--thedwarf.com.au

 "[The song 'Tripwires'] reminds me a lot of Dandy Warhols"--Nathan Lankford, SXSW Watchlist

 "Folks, the bottom line is that Grand Atlantic is a solid rock and roll band. There's no gimmicks, no pretense of rock stardom to distract from the basic draw of their music."--Love Shack Baby

 "If you're looking for the new Oasis then you need look no further than Aussie foursome Grand Atlantic."--The Devil Has The Best Tuna

 "The Brisbane, Australia rock band brings hook-heavy power-pop on this album."--Spinner

 "'Coast Is Clear,' which opens How We Survive (Laughing Outlaw), is a heavy bit of Catherine Wheel-style stadium shoegaze that meets its guitar-overdub and painkiller-softened-vocals quota."--Magnet Magazine

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