Album Review: Jonny Cola & The A-Grades - "The Debris Of The Buffet"

 

Well here's something I didn't expect to be reviewing in 2022. For those unlucky to miss them when they were originally around, Jonny Cola & The A-Grades, along with the very different Electric River, were one of two bands I used to see regularly in my early London days that I was convinced were going to go on to bigger things. Sadly it never quite happened for them with the group leaving behind a solid legacy of two great albums (2010's In Debt and 2013's Spitfire) before they abruptly split with the various members going on to other bands (Desperate Journalist, the Speedways and Medium Wave mostly). At their best, the A-Grades were an intoxicating brew of glam rock, power-pop and Suede-style seediness which made them stick out like a sore thumb alongside a lot of the anodyne dullness of the scene at the time.

The Debris Of The Buffet is a posthumous odds 'n' sods collection which, while it may not quite be the ideal place for newcomers to discover the band (go for the two albums if you fall into that category, they're both available from the link below), should be welcome fodder for those who continue to keep the flame alive a decade or so later. There's plenty of good stuff on here in amidst the odd remix, acoustic version and seasonal tune (New Year, Christmas Every Day) from the stark piano balladry of Clown through the sinister stomp of Young Professional to the almost freeform Mauro's In Peru. And to be honest, only the A-Grades could take Sabrina's ultra-cheesy '80s novelty pop hit Boys (Summertime Love) and turn it into an oddly touching piano ballad.

A-Grades long time fans, you know what to do. For those just discovering the group or who missed them entirely first time out, follow the link below, give the two full albums a listen followed by this. This is the story of early teens indie that you've not been told.

Bandcamp Link

NITE SONGS RATING: 🌔🌔🌔🌔🌔🌔🌔🌔🌑🌑 (8/10)