I first came across Grayson Manor a couple of years ago with their Back On The Rock EP, which incidentally is included in this release as bonus tracks. That 6-track effort included the really rather good “Enemy” and “No More No Way” and I looked forward to hearing more from this Atlanta 4-piece.  Unfortunately the debut full-length album hasn’t quite lived up to that early potential. 

Now if you can still remember the late 80s / early 90s LA sleaze / hard rock scene with bands like Guns N’ Roses, Skid Row, Dangerous Toys and Tuff, then one spin of Grayson Manor’s first full album is enough to put you in mind of all those legendary bands and equally famous haunts like The Whisky, The Roxy etc etc. 

Grayson Manor have no pretensions of trying to change the world – they are happy to rock out in sleazy American hair-metal style with somewhat dubious titles like “New Generation”, “High School Confidential” and “Sweet Sixteen” which might not win them many prizes for originality, but since when has dangerous and edgy rawk n roll been concerned with winning any popularity contests ?? 

To be fair to Grayson Manor, there’s very few bands still prepared to play this type of music and I have to take my hat off to them for that alone. Unfortunately though, they just lack that something special to elevate them above the many bands who were banging this stuff out 15 or so years ago. I think that special something is actually the quality of the songs, which I do not feel match the standard set by their own EP, let alone some of the great output by others in the genre. 

In singer Brad Cox you’ve got the typical screamer-type vocalist, reminiscent of an early Vince Neil or Jason McMaster from Dangerous Toys. He certainly looks the part and so I am reliably informed is definitely “one for the ladies” to lust after. Apparently he even tried out for the vocalist spot with Velvet Revolver before Scott Weiland secured the position. 

I understand that Grayson Manor will be playing their debut UK shows in a couple of months and it will be interesting to see if they can cut it live…I get the impression it could involve a lot of screaming and posturing and may well be worth checking out to compare to their peers from the recent past. 

Overall I can’t say I was over-impressed with this album but I get the feeling that the live arena is where you’ll see the true band at their best. But one request…please leave out the dreadful acoustic cover of Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May”.

Let Us Know Your Views On 'Children Of The Manor'

Track List

Set You Free
New Generation
High School Confidential
Mamasita
Sweet Sixteen
In My SKin
I've Been trying
Habitual Refugee
Farmer Daughter's
Killer On The Loose
Maggie May
Ragdoll
Enemy
Down And Dirty
Losing Salvation
No More No Way
One Shot

Line Up

Brad Cox - Vocals
Pat Valley - Guitar
Danny Dixon - Bass
Ben Thomas - Drums