By Ryan J. Nims
1994 was a great year for music! But for every Blue Album, CrazySexyCool, or The Downward Spiral, there were plenty of albums that, for whatever reason, just didn’t catch the public consciousness. The Grays’ only album Ro Sham Bo (Epic, 1994), is one of those – a critically praised, but commercially unsuccessful power pop album made by four people who vowed they would never join another band. With that in mind, perhaps it’s no surprise that The Grays dissolved after their sole release. However, they did get called out on Beavis and Butthead in one of the cartoon duo’s music video mocking skits.
Formed by Jason Falkner, who had recently left Jellyfish, Jon Brion, who had played with Aimee Mann, Buddy Judge, and drummer Dan McCarrol, the vocals and instrumentation are shared by Brion, Falkner, and Judge. Despite being written and sung by different people, the album as a whole is quite cohesive, with their musicianship being the glue that holds everything together.
The album begins with Falkner’s “Very Best Years” (the subject of the above Beavis and Butthead jab): the first single and only music video made for the album.
Starting with a chiming guitar tone, Judge’s “Everybody’s World” follows, and I’m not sure which of the guys is playing bass on this one, but it definitely stands out!
Next up is “Same Thing,” which was also released as a single. I’m not sure how he does it, but Jon Brion’s guitar playing has an instantly recognizable vibrato. Falkner takes over the lead for the bridge, and the song ends on call-and-response style vocals between all three singers.
Falkner’s “Friend of Mine” is one of the stronger tracks on the album, with some great harmonies and sparkling guitar work, especially Jason’s solo.
“Is It Now Yet,” another Buddy Judge track, is a showcase of Brion’s trademark Chamberlain (a vintage keyboard instrument similar to the more well-known Mellotron) with its somewhat off-tune synthesized horn and string sections.
The rocker “Oh Well Maybe” (Falkner) is a guitar track through and through!
Brion takes the lead on “Nothing Between Us” with some strong vocals. This track is a bit more downtempo than the preceding tracks, but does feature a dual guitar solo between Brion and Falkner.
“Both Belong” starts with a bouncy acoustic guitar part, before Falkner’s vocals come in. This one is just good pop: nice vocal harmonies and tight instrumentation.
Buddy Judge’s song “Nothing” starts with a fun piano riff and features more of the Chamberlain in the background.
Third single “Not Long for This World” (Brion) opens with some loud guitars and features some of Brion’s most impassioned singing. This is probably the hardest rock song on the album, and Brion really gets after it in his solos! The harmony vocals at the end are a definite highlight amongst the chaotic guitars.
Falkner’s track “Spooky” is another slower track. The bass playing on this one is stellar, and Falkner’s guitar solo is really strong.
Judge’s best track, “All You Wanted,” is the penultimate song; the vocal harmonies are especially nice on this one.
Brion’s six-and-a-half-minute “No One Can Hurt Me” closes the album, with some plucked piano strings, chunky guitars. The bassline in this song is groovy and totally in the pocket with McCarroll’s drums.
All four members of The Grays have kept busy in the music industry. Notably, Falkner has played with Beck’s live band for years, as well as stints with Sir Paul McCartney, Daniel Johnston, R. Stevie Moore, and various projects with his former Jellyfish bandmate, Roger Joseph Manning Jr, as well as releasing a handful of solo albums.
While releasing only one album under his own name, the Beatles-esque Meaningless (self-released, 2001, reissued by Jealous Butcher in 2022), Jon Brion has made quite a name for himself producing and scoring soundtracks. His credits are too long to list, but include working with Aimee Mann, Spoon, Kanye West, Fiona Apple, Sky Ferreira, and Mac Miller’s final albums. He has also played semi-regular shows at Los Angeles club Largo, which, believe me, are a sight to behold. (Note to self: maybe write a full article just about Jon Brion.)
Buddy Judge is currently working with Apple Music, and self-released one totally unhinged power pop album entitled Profiles in Clownhenge in 1999, which to my knowledge is not available anywhere, so good luck finding that!
Previously the President of Capitol Records and Virgin Label Group, then Warner Bros. Records, Dan McCarroll now works with Amazon Music. He also worked as a session musician, drumming for artists such as Aimee Mann and Sheryl Crow.
Long out of print, this CD is one of those discs that if I found at a used music store, I would buy a copy and just give it away to someone, because I just think it’s that good.
Ro Sham Bo (Epic/Legacy, 2025) finally got a vinyl release for Record Store Day in April. The 2xLP set sounds incredible, and includes a couple of bonus tracks, a cover of Wire’s “Outdoor Miner,” and the Rolling Stones song “Complicated.” The packaging also contains updated artwork.Finally, Ro Sham Bo is available on streaming platforms, so if you are into power pop, I definitely recommend it. Perhaps you’ll love it as well!