The Organ Album: “Grab That Gun”

The Organ are an all-female band from Canada. They basically sound like a band that was getting airplay on college radio in the late 80's/early 90's when alternative music was golden. More than anyone they remind me of a female version of Joy Division. Their music is moody, melancholy and aching & dripping of emotion and even has a sense of humor, hence the title - The Organ "Grab That Gun".

Standout cuts are the 1st three on the record - "Brother" (which is irresistible), "Steven Smith" & Love, Love, Love".

If you were raised on 80's/90's alternative music this is a can't miss. It really is a solid release from front to back and definitely worth discovering.

For the first few bars of The Organ's Grab That Gun, you'd swear that you were listening to a great lost Cure album circa Boys Don't Cry. That is, until Katie Sketch begins to sing in her fluid Debbie Harry-meets-Morrissey style - "Here we go, they're back again!" - and you're in a thrilling hall-of-mirrors. You can spot the influence throughout - Blondie, of course, The Smiths, sure, but also Echo and the Bunnymen, The Charlatans, Electrelane. Yet retro as it all is The Organ's debut succeeds on the strength of Sketch's voice, and her nearly slavish imitation of Morrissey's phrasing. We've heard his influence on a vast number of male admirers, but this is the first time I can hear him so fully in a female. That switch is bracing. Sketch might sound melancholy, but she's tough-minded, never victimized. Plus, her plucky bandmates aren't getting mired in the minor-chords that anchor each of these ten songs. They're pushing her forward to the next catchy chorus, the next bass run, the next goddamn dilemma.

Too bad this band called it quits after one EP and one full-length. Their unique and well crafted sound really stood out in a sea of corporate crap that passes for indie/alternative these days. When I first heard 'Memorize the City' it made the hair on my neck stand up,which for a jaded soul like mine, doesnt happen too often. The rest of the CD is mighty fine too. I think that out of all of the 80's bands, Moev seems like the most accurate comparison. Thats just my NSHO. Its too bad that I didn't find out about this band earlier. When you think about the sad,sorry state of even 'indie' music these days,'Grab That Gun' is an absolute must have for your collection.

If you love 80's music such as the Smiths, The Cure, Depeche Mode, etc..then chances are you will love this CD! Surprisingly entertaining, and worth the $$$

Well, first off it's refreshing to hear a newer band NOT trying to recycle Joy Division/ Iggy Pop riffs. Instead, The Organ draws their influence from The Cure and The Smiths.

Sonically, the guitar work is reminscent of "Japanese Whispers" -era Cure. Vocally, the lead singer reminds me of Pat Benatar singing Morrissey covers all day - the phrasing is very Moz-like.

Like the Cure's earliest albums, Grab That Gun stays put in a very limited range, which makes it tough to listen to the whole album at a go (much like Seventeen Seconds/Faith/Pornography, all of which contain great songs, but get a bit monotonous as a album).