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Martin Grech: Open Heart Zoo

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by Stephanie Mills
This album has been three years in the making and has been well worth the wait. Open Heart Zoo is an insight into, not only Martin Grech's mind, but the very depths of his soul; and as debut albums go I don't think they come much better than this.

The album begins with the ambitious 'Here It Comes'. "Look at me, I'm your reflection..." sings Grech over the top of twisted guitars. The tune stops and starts before morphing into pounding thrash-metal. The title track, 'Open Heart Zoo' is a heart-felt and haunting tune; Grech's voice is at its most fervent, with every line sounding as though it is scraping at the back of his soul. Martin says that 'Open Heart Zoo' is about the general feeling that when you are being completely honest on an album, you are putting yourself on display. He has clearly done this with songs like 'Only One listening' and 'Tonight' where he completely exposes himself with soft, innocent vocals and brutally honest lyrics.

Dark futuristic rock meets with epic beauty. Every song is contrasting to the one before it; all involuting and intense. From the uplifting guitars in 'Push' to the more down-beat piano in 'Catch Up' this album displays talent and maturity that you would not expect from just one person, let alone someone so young. This album is truly stunning and majestic.

  • Martin Grech 9 / 10

Martin Grech - Open Heart Zoo

Stephanie Mills rocks.

As does Martin Grech. I borrowed the album off a girl at work who kept going on about the Lexus ad and I was thoroughly impressed.

Re: Martin Grech - Open Heart Zoo

awwwww, bless ya.

His album has not actually left my cd player for 3 weeks, I just don't seem to get tired of it. I'm really looking forward to seeing him live. There have been a lot of comparisons to Radiohead and as big a Radiohead fan as I am I have to admit that he is probably better :)

Re: Martin Grech - Open Heart Zoo

sorry. just had a change of mind.

radiohead are ever so slightly better. but grech is still in a world of his own!

Re: Martin Grech - Open Heart Zoo

There are a lot of Radioheady bits on the album, but to my mind, he's more like a nicer version of someone like Abandoned Pools.

You should look out for Aqualung if they get signed. Similar sort of vibe, less electronic.

Re: Martin Grech - Open Heart Zoo

I've heard a Strange and Beautiful by Aqualung, its alrite, a little bit wet for me though :)

I've only heard a teeny tiny amount of Abandoned Pools stuff, I wasn't too impressed with it

Re: Martin Grech - Open Heart Zoo

the albums amazing, and hes even better live
Dec 5th mean fiddler everyone
xxx nic

Martin Grech - Open Heart Zoo

I am biased, but even after a year listening to Marting music i am note at all bored. Pluse - Martin really ROCKS live. Check out www.retardorecords.com/mg for pics and more info. Get to a gig during the UK tour in Sep/Oct, you won't regret it.
John