For their second album, “Fireflies Trapped in a Jar,” The Grain Hoppers have taken a giant step forward sonically and production-wise, having honed their sound and vision playing shows in Austin, TX (SXSW) and their hometown of Richmond, VA.

George Laks, in between touring w/ Lenny Kravitz and Amanda Shires, found time to hop aboard and record keyboards for The Grain Hoppers’, lifting their songs to another level.

The Grain Hoppers take cues from Neil Young, REM, X, Wilco, Spaghetti Westerns, and the Replacements. Imagine if Neil Young were 40 years younger, still kicking up sparks, and collaborating with REM. Now add some mood enhancing and atmospheric keyboards. That’s what you get with Grant Oliver’s dynamic guitar melodies, Blee Child’s dynamo drumming, Michael Click’s ever bouncing bass, Wallace’s impassioned vocals, and George's buoyant keys.

The Rocking Magpie:

Warm and Tender 60's and 80's Drenched Harmony Driven Indie Pop.

I'd been playing this on and off for a month now, but as the release date beckoned I hit a personal 'rough patch' meaning I was only listening to 'old stuff' from my collection and watching old movies on TV. While not quite out of my 'funk' I knew I wanted to play this again and share my thoughts with the world beyond my front door. I can't explain why; but even though I liked it; I missed out reviewing their last release DRIVING EVIL SPIRITS CRAZY in 2022, but I wasn't going to make that mistake again.

The new album starts with the quaint and delightful Butter Churn, a definite nod back to the 60's with some cool guitar licks in the background of the swoonsome Wallace Dietz baring his unrequited love to the world in a way that reminds me of someone I can't quite put my finger on. Already I can picture the band all having their hair in variants of Gene Clark's bowl cut and wearing paisley shirts, cheap sunglasses and at least one member wearing a cape.

This is followed by the funky Shake Me Loose, where keyboard player to the stars (Lenny Kravitz and Amanda Shires this year), George Laks adds his compact and furious keyboard skills to the party .... and by now I'm imagining a liquid wheel was lighting up the studio.

For a band You/I've barely heard of the structures and arrangements here are second to none; especially Dose Of Slow Motion, Three Card Monty and Lonely Eyes which all gave a little flutter in my stomach the first couple of times I heard them.

Although it's most certainly all over these songs; don't get hooked up on the 60's and 80's harmonious vibes; these songs are most certainly 21st Century in a way the likes of REM, Crowded House and even Coldplay are pushing the boundaries their forefathers set decades ago.

It's a personal thing, but I select albums at home to fill the mood at various times of the day; and this will ultimately be played early evening, as the sun sets .... with the instrumentals Brisketti Western and Billye Sings while entirely different will be the perfect accompaniment for the first beer of the evening.

For a Favourite Song I've been drawn to the quirky Umbrella from the first time I played it; it's not really 'deep and meaningful' but sometimes a catchy melody and a hummable chorus is all someone needs to feel better about themselves; which brings me to the proceeding song I'm Not In My Right Mind which cut right across my depression like a virtual rainbow and helped shake me out of my dark and cavernous moods .... and it sounds like it was written by someone who knew how I was feeling.

There really is a lot to like here, with all kinds of reference points to keep the most nit-picking of musical connoisseurs busy for a long time; yet others will just put it on and tap their feet in time.