ALBUMS: All Out (1972); Gone Crazy (1973)
MVC Rating: All Out 4.0/$$; Gone Crazy 3.5/$$$
Hey folks. Grin is not a household name but you vinyl record aficionados ought to seek it out.
It’s a band fronted by Nils Lofgren in the 1970s. Nils is not exactly a household name either but after his youthful foray in Grin, he became a member of bands formed by some major household names: Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street Band and Neil y Young’s Crazy Horse. Not bad. Two of the best rock singer-songwriters of our era. (Actually Grin happened while he was in Crazy Horse.)
Lofgren is an excellent guitarist. But don’t come to Grin expecting life-changing music, like you might have found when you first heard Neil Young or Bruce Springsteen.
I think those two saw a musicality from Lofgren that covered a lot of ground. I think they also must have seen some bright rock and roll fun spirit in his music. Lofgren is a classically trained musician (classical accordion, according to his Wikipedia page –is that a joke?). Glad he ventured into rock and roll as I doubt I would ever be blessed with his music if he was 2nd chair accordion in the Los Angeles symphony.
Anyway Grin is a fun garage band styled group from Lofgren’s early life. The album covers are wild and they alone may be worth the $10 or so you may have to pay for a used copy.
What is a ‘household name’ anyway?
\