It’s The Coolest Band You’ve Never Heard

Opening bands are blah, right? They exist to extend the concert and maybe sell a few more T-shirts. Or so I thought.

The only rational thought in my head when Cool for August opened for Matchbox 20 at the Opera House was “Why haven’t I heard of these guys?” Quite simply, Cool for August is the coolest band I’d never heard.

With a sound that combines the Wallflowers and Live, Cool for August mixes powerful guitars and insightful songs about “the rats of the world.”

The band’s debut, “Grand World,” has a combination of hopeful songs and several good, dark, brooding songs about loss, death and faded optimism.

The weakest song of this album appears at the end, when Cool for August performs “Wheels.” Musically, this song is fairly interesting with a good beat. Lyrically, though, singer/songwriter Gordon Vaughn tries to cover everything — faith, nature, the meaning of life, and fails on all attempts.

Cool for August works because the band for the most part covers specific topics rather than trying to write the great American song.

Grade: A