When I first heard Grandaddy’s UNDER THE WESTERN FREEWAY it was like a sparkling breath of fresh musical air. It illustrated that there’s still room for an original and distinctive rock sound, and the album remains in my top twenty albums of all time. But it was just the beginning for a band that produced great album, after great album, and a string of memorable live performances. The band members are now going their separate ways, and JUST THE FAMILY CAT is the band’s moving and very beautiful swansong.

The album is described as ‘the final goodbye top the Central Valley, and most specifically the home town of Modesto that formed and influenced Jason’s writing.’ Twinkling piano notes introduce the opening track, What Happened…, along with a child’s looped, innocent question, “What happened to the family cat?” is nothing short of charming and moving. The song serves as the title track which Jason explains, “Cats are renowned for just disappearing when they’re ailing. And then they’re just gone.There’s something very noble and romantic about that.” Then without pause the ambience changes dramatically with pounding drums and shimmering guitar riffs of Jeez Louise. The song’s a lot rockier than most of the band’s previous tunes, and is epic in scale as it thunders along, with a few complex twists and turns. Wondrous vocals and harmonies complete a superb music package. Summer… It’s Gone is a wistful, contemplative and utterly moving song with one of the most haunting orchestral passages around the middle-eight. And by now I’m thinking, ‘surely that can’t split up…. not now!’ This poignant song is doubtless aimed at both the home town and the band, and it works with a vengeance…

The keyboard returns with Oxygen Aux Send, a short, lovely instrumental interlude before the stunning Rear View Mirror appears. It’s another epic song with fabulous multi-layered vocals, monstrous melody and the most awesome instrumental arrangement. It’s like a musical rollercoaster as it climbs and descends, then turns left, then right. This is chart single in anyone’s language. The Animal World has a dark sub-text with its distinctive bass vibe and lumbering pace. Skateboarding Saves Me Twice appears at first to take a somewhat simpler musical route with Hammond taking charge, then an instrumental crescendo suddenly appears and, just as suddenly, disappears. Add the Beach Boy style vocal choruses and you have yet another superb track. Track 9 is a short punk rock rant - Grandaddy style… Campershell Dreams has an extraordinary cello opening that reminds me of the Beatles’ I Am A Walrus, before the band grab back the reigns in inimitable, classic Grandaddy style. Gorgeous…

The final track, This Is How It Always Starts, is one of the simplest songs here (comparatively) and one of the most beautiful. The sweet-sounding vocal reeks of sincerity, while the angelic, soaring harmonies add dramatic depth. The instruments provide the killer punch as they all fade away into the distance, and just when you think it’s goodbye forever Grandaddy, a secret track (No.15) appears to finally open the tear ducts. This is a superb album from a band that has become a very precious, very rare musical treasure.

4.5/5

The Final Word….?

Lytle, who never wanted to be a ‘tour monkey,’ claims the band couldn’t make any money no matter how long it stayed on the road. “The last few times out we just spent chasing our tails,” he says. “It’s not going to operate the way it did before,” he adds, opening the door just a crack for possible Grandaddy one-offs. “If we can play the birthday party of some sheik for three million dollars, then we’ll consider it,” he grins. “Everything’s now on a case-by-case basis.”

ANYONE?