An often mind-numbingly pedestrian slice of mid-'90s alternative rock,
Camp Grenada is energetically performed but ultimately completely forgettable. Produced by Fort Apache Studios alum
Tim O'Heir (
Sebadoh,
Buffalo Tom), the album features
O'Heir's usual flair for wonderfully trashy guitar sounds and snappy, in-your-face sonics. Unfortunately, the record's aural excellence can't mask the fact that there's nary a hook to be found. On track after track (after track),
Gren employs the
Nirvana-approved loud/soft/loud arranging technique, but forgets to include the other essential elements that made the Seattle threesome so monumental: pop songwriting instincts and genuine passion. There are occasional glimmers of life when the band gets a little more outside, like on the slightly
Shudder to Think-ish "Go Figure," but these are few and far between. Though the group does sound like it's probably a lot of fun live (there are a few pretty blistering moments of
Bob Mould-style guitar meltdown scattered throughout), the record simply doesn't go anywhere. In the end,
Camp Grenada is perhaps most valuable as one of the best representations of an era when major labels were snapping up any "alternative" rock band with decent connections and the right hair.