In order to appreciate this progressive offering a little history is required. The name Gratto in all likelihood will draw a blank so let’s go back a few years, 1996 to be exact to set the scene. We’ll anchor our story to a couple of familiar names, Chris Rodler (guitars) and Brett Rodler (drums). As many of you know the brother’s were/are the driving force behind Leger de Main. But before the creation of Leger de Main the Rodlers were working with Gary Madras (bass) and vocalist/keyboardist/composer Gratto.

Unlike the more aggressive Leger de Main, the music Gratto created on Anakin Tumnus covers more territory. The crunching guitar and solid double-bass drumming is present throughout the recording but it’s interspersed many times with all kinds of acoustic guitars and keyboards giving the music great dynamic range. There are only 3 tracks on the CD; “Passage of Time” (9:03), “Call and Response” (10:29), “Shift” (16:50) and yet each of the tracks contains so many elements it seems like more. As a result each of the tracks provides windows of pastoral/acoustic feels where the compositions are developed in many polyrhythmic directions. This is then interspersed with the more furious musicianship. Gratto’s instrument of choice is the grand piano and this instrument shows up regularly in each of the tracks, in some cases alone in the mix.

Gratto’s vocal tone and style of delivery is very reminiscent of Echolyn and at times early Peter Gabriel. The vocals are very layered texturally almost making it sound as if there are multiple vocalists at work, again giving a nod to the Echolyn style. They’re also very emotive recalling Peter Hammill’s early work with Van Der Graaf Generator. Lyrically Gratto was taking the time honored progressive rock path of writing about larger than life issues. In this case the central character searches for meaning in an empty world.

After working on the Gratto project for three years, the group dissolved and while the Rodlers created Leger de Main the others involved faded from the scene. The initial recordings, recovered almost by accident by Chris Rodler in 2001 brought back fond memories and the brothers set about completing the work begun so many years before. The 36 minutes of completed work is now available as Anakin Tumnus and provides a fascinating glimpse of a band that never was. Based on these worthy initial efforts it’s interesting to speculate where Gratto may have gone in the world of progressive rock.

Review by Jerry Lucky
December 09, 2002