For its 20th anniversary, alt-rock cult favorites Grandaddy are enhancing their iconic 2003 album, Sumday, with a four-LP set named Sumday Twunny. This extensive collection features the remastered original LP, demo versions of each track, and a rich assortment of B-sides and rarities from the period following The Sophtware Slump, collectively named Excess Baggage. Although they split three years post the release of this underappreciated album, the Modesto rock group reformed in 2012 and unveiled a reunion album in 2017 titled Last Place. Tragically, that same year, Kevin Garcia, a founding member, passed on. However, as per Jason Lytle, the lead vocalist, another Grandaddy album has been finalized, though its release date remains unknown.
Even in 2023, Grandaddy retains their distinct emotional resonance. Often viewed as the small-town California equivalent of a major indie rock band, they are recognized for their melodic craft. Excess Baggage dives back into the themes of the digital era that Sumday and The Sophtware Slump brilliantly captured. As Jason Lytle expressed in a recent press note, Sumday stands at the peak of their journey, often seen by the media as being on the brink of acclaim yet frequently overshadowed.
With the world slowly acknowledging their unique talent, Excess Baggage underlines the quiet intensity of their tunes. Their new lead track, “The Town Where I’m Livin’ Now”, is a restrained ode to California's Central Valley, capturing the essence of small-town nostalgia, beautifully juxtaposed with dark wit.
Tracks like the piano-driven “My Little Skateboarding Problem” climaxes in raw guitar solos, while the folksy "Derek Spears" delves deep into the intricacies of small-town life. The lyrics across the album are poetic, painting vivid pictures of Modesto's peculiarities, from adults on BMX bikes shedding tears on sidewalks to young women waking beside obnoxious men.
Sumday: Excess Baggage encapsulates the raw allure of Grandaddy's music from the early 2000s. Lytle's compositions effortlessly blend the worlds of indie rock and electronica, punctuated by ethereal folk vibes. Even after two decades, Grandaddy's musical style remains unparalleled.
https://grandaddy.bandcamp.com/album/sumday-excess-baggage
