GRETA No Biting 1993

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Artist Biography by Stewart Mason

Los Angeles-based alternative rockers Greta executed one of the most impressive mid-career changes of direction of the '90s. Originally, the band (singer/guitarist Paul Plagens, lead guitarist Kyle Baer, bassist Josh Gordon, and drummer Scott Carneghi) had a grungy hard rock edge to their music. Their debut, 1993's No Biting, is along the lines of Alice in Chains or early Pearl Jam, with lyrics of a tenor that necessitated the release of a "clean" version of the CD.

However, it didn't feel like the band's heart was truly in the heavy rawk aspects of No Biting; the songs themselves seemed smothered by the inappropriately grungy production. The band regrouped and released their second album, This Is Greta!, in 1995. In keeping with the reintroduction implied by the title, the album is a bright and rocking power pop record produced by Ed Stasium and strongly recalls his work with the Smithereens earlier in the decade. A far stronger and more melodic set of tunes, This Is Greta! is an enormous improvement over the weak debut. Unfortunately, like the debut, it attracted next to no commercial interest and Greta was quietly dropped by Mercury Records. The group disbanded shortly thereafter. 

Tracklist

1. Is It What You Wanted (4:07)

2. School on Fire (2:49)

3. Off the Slug (3:24)

4. Jesus Crux (4:52)

5. Fathom (4:33)

6. Love Is Dead (3:17)

7. Revolver (3:48)

8. Nature (5:48)

9. Dirtbag (3:40)

10. Insomnia (1:46)

11. Sleepyhead (3:55)