I was coaxed out the other night by my friend Kelly to go and see The Cyrus Grape Orchestra @ The Know. I've gotten to know a couple of the guys from the band on a personal level and was excited to hear what TCGO was all about.
I did a little research before I went and found that on their website they were offering a free e-copy of the new album Modern Man to anyone with an email address. I got it and gave it a listen. Wading through liltingly solid melodies and wavy falsetto-style vocals reminiscent of Jeff Buckley, I came to what I consider the best song on the album; Naked Birth. It has just the right amount of build and repetitious hook to hold you throughout.
The show was solid with pretty good sound mixing and all around a great set. There was definitely a sense that they were having a great time up there and it carried over to the audience. Especially when frontman Nate Bech (TGCO is his brainchild) joined Nicolas Von Pless, bass in this current TCGO incarnation, on a single tom to pound out a drilling rhythm near the end of title track Modern Man. With a large response from the crowd that was the climax of the show. Zaven Papakhian is a phenom behind the drum set and Von Pless & guitar/keyboard solid man, Daniel Hornbeck, well round out the jazzy, prog. mod. fusion of Cyrus Grape.
I hear a little Sky Cries Mary, and a Jeff Buckley influence even though they weren't listed on their MySpace under influences. Whatever. I heard it. I'm telling you.
Go get the new album Modern Man <----here or check 'em out on MySpace first by clicking the album artwork below. 
